The story of the Hunchback of Notre Dame by the French Romanticist Victor Hugo is one that many have heard, but few know. Most of us know the story from the Disney movie; the story of a hunchback named Quasimodo who struggles between his desires and his reality and ultimately settling so that everyone one can have a Disney ending. The real story is far more tragic; Quasimodo, La Esmeralda the gypsy, and Claude Frollo the archdeacon all die at the end of the tragedy.
While recording a CD in Edmonton recently, I’ve had the privilege to watch the world premiere of Hunchback; a musical theatre production by Catalyst Theatre performed in the Citadel Theatre. The production aims to restore the balance between the three characters while taking a drastically modern artistic approach. Reflecting the dark nature of the tragedy, the design for the show took on a very gothic and grotesque direction by employing ominous lighting, bizarre costumes, and well-developed characters.
Aforementioned, the artistic direction is certainly interesting. The stage is relatively static as the entire basis of the scenes consists of these branching pillars spread out on the stage. Yet with delicate planning the light and the shadows work to imaginatively portray a variety of scenes from the slums of Paris to the inner sanctums of the Notre Dame. The jagged and intentional usage of the colors black and red work to demonstrate the dark, all-consuming desires that is emphasized in the play. The sinful and dirty reality of life in Paris is displayed without the usage of overwhelming amounts of stage prop, creating a very minimalist yet effective setting.
Moccasins have been one of my new-found loves during this transitional stage from cold to warm. Not only are they comfortable, but they are warmer than a ballerina flat, and tend to have more grip. They also convey a natural and effortless sense of style; the type that says “I have comfortable, down to earth shoes, while still being trendy.” That’s not to say that these are a definite trend this year, however, they are certainly a major contender. I’ve witnessed an increased availability in stores, as well as interest by those around me.
Personally, moccasins tend to remind me of ballerina flats. They do not have a heel, expose the upper area of your foot, and don’t have that extra fabric that pushes a pair of jeans up onto your leg like a sneaker. Simply put, they can virtually be worn with any outfit, just like flats. But here are a few tips:
I’m not going to “butter up” the result of where to find a good pair of moccasins because it definitely is a little bit difficult. I have seen stores such as Soft Moc and American Eagle carrying moccasins, and I know there is a pair made by UGG Australia (available at Browns, or other stores that carry UGGs). Mine (shown above) were purchased out of Calgary, so unfortunately they will be difficult to find. However, with it’s increasing popularity, and a little bit of effort, I’m sure you will find a pair of your own. I myself, am still on the hunt for another pair because I simply love them!
