Chapter 139: The Era of Cathedrals
6:30 PM. An hour before the show started, crowds were already swarming in front of the Queen's Theatre.
Stars truly live up to their name. The musical Notre Dame de Paris was one of the most anticipated hits in the West End's first-half lineup this year, and it was clear why its reputation preceded it.
- Click.
The long line of people waiting patiently, without a single soul urging anyone to hurry, left a deep impression. Woojin captured the scene from afar with his camera before joining the queue himself. 'I should get in line too.'
He wanted to feel the atmosphere of this mature theater culture firsthand. Excitement for the performance bubbled up in his expression, just like everyone else's.
Standing still on the street for an hour felt this enjoyable!
- Tap tap.
"……?"
Ah, of course. He wasn't just standing there idly the whole time.
"Here alone?"
"Ah, yes! That's right."
People around him started chatting with the lone foreigner in line, showing curiosity.
Well, isn't that the charm of travel?
"You speak English really well for a foreigner. Do you live here?"
"Ah, no. Just visiting."
"Where from?"
"From Korea. South Korea."
"Oh, Korea! I know it. I love watching Korean dramas."
"Really? I love British shows too! What Korean dramas have you seen?"
Conversations flowed easily with these strangers—recommending and sharing top picks from Korea and the UK. As fellow West End enthusiasts, talk of shows never ceased.
By the time Woojin glanced at his watch mid-chat, it was well past 7 PM.
He'd unexpectedly become a Korean ambassador, surrounded by Brits(?)—and was thoroughly enjoying it.
- "We'll now begin seating."
A stage staffer announced loudly. The line began to move.
"Enjoy the show!"
With seats scattered everywhere, Woojin bid a reluctant farewell to his new friends.
'Second floor, left center seat...'
Following the venue map, he headed upstairs. The distance from the stage felt regrettable the more he thought about it. Next time, book early. He reached the second-floor entrance.
"Ticket check, please."
"Here."
Woojin handed his ticket to the on-site staffer. But then—
"Ah, are you Mr. Baek Woojin?"
She asked after scanning it. Caught off guard, Woojin blinked wide-eyed.
What?
"Yes, that's me, but..."
"We've been expecting you. Did you not get any special instructions at the entrance?"
"Instructions? No, nothing like that."
"Aigoo... Guess it didn't get passed along properly."
She muttered to herself, hand on her waist. Then she spoke into her mic briefly before saying,
"This way, please. We'll guide you to a new seat."
"A new seat?"
"Yes, we got prior orders. Among tonight's audience, the guest from Korea named 'Baek Woojin' should be seated in a special spot."
"I see. But I have one question."
"Yes, go ahead!"
"My name's on the ticket, so you'd know that—but how did you know I'm from Korea?"
"Well..."
She smiled mysteriously.
"You'll find out soon enough."
"Haha, a secret?"
"Please understand. We were told to say you'd learn it shortly if asked."
It was a fun twist. The pre-show excitement now mixed with curiosity about this impending reveal.
He'd come for the musical, but felt like the star of the show.
"Got it. I'll hold off this once."
Woojin nodded with a wry grin. The staffer laughed heartily and led him to the special seat.
Finally, "Here you are. Enjoy the show!" She departed.
His assigned spot was dead center, right in front of the stage.
Actors' vivid expressions were a given. Speakers nearby promised every nuanced emotion in their voices. The perfect distance.
Whoa, jackpot!
Woojin sat in awe. Moreover, perfectly symmetrical between stage left and right—the priciest, best seat in the house. Among those, the absolute top one.
Why give this to me?
Upgrades have levels, right? This skipped how many?
He was thrilled, yet faintly suspicious.
Ah, whatever. Just enjoy!
Overthinking was a sickness. Here for healing—keep it simple.
Woojin soaked in the pre-show vibe. Smaller than other theaters, but compact and immersive. Dim and heavy, fitting Notre Dame de Paris's mood perfectly.
- Swish.
Scanning the hall, he pulled out the pamphlet and program he'd bought earlier. Rule of theater: skim cast and info right before curtain.
'Huh?'
Mid-read, at the lead roles, Woojin paused.
※ CAST
▶ Esmeralda ? Lily Header
Fatal beauty as a gypsy woman. She becomes the object of love, desire, obsession, and madness for Quasimodo, Phoebus, Frollo, and more... the tragic heroine.
…(excerpt).
The true star of Notre Dame de Paris, by many accounts. The actress playing Esmeralda looked so familiar.
He was a musical novice—first time hearing the name. Yet it rang a bell.
- Thud.
As he tilted his head, the house lights dimmed.
Perfect timing. Felt like magic.
Woojin savored the whimsy, eyes glued to the stage.
And then, 'Ah!'
About 10-15 minutes in, Woojin nearly jumped up, slapping his knee.
Esmeralda's entrance. It's her!
Three hours ago—the woman who'd thanked him, doffing her hat and mask.
A fleeting glimpse, but it clicked vividly now.
Lily Header, top West End actress as Esmeralda, was William's mother.
* * *
Notre Dame de Paris, in two acts, hooked audiences from the Act 1 opener.
"The era of cathedrals has arrived! The world now welcomes a new millennium. Humans reaching for the heavens inscribe their history on glass and stone..."
The first song post-overture (excluding prelude)—Gringoire, the narrator-socialite's signature number, The Time of the Cathedrals, fired the starting gun.
Even musical illiterates know this melody. Iconic.
"...The era of cathedrals crumbles! Heretics crowd the cathedral gates. Let them in! The world's end is fated—it's the year 2000!"
The 3+ minute opener captivated Woojin's eyes and ears from bell to finish.
English lyrics, yet Korean words echoed in his mind like live translation. Amazing.
Gringoire's anthem flowed into Les sans-papiers (The Paperless).
Under priest Claude Frollo's grand entrance, gypsy king Clopin's song fused with group choreography, dominating the stage.
Desperate pleas clung to the sealed cathedral doors for sanctuary.
But Frollo, gazing down, ordered Phoebus, Paris guard captain, to disperse them.
As Intervention de Frollo (Frollo's Command) underscored—
Beautiful gypsy Esmeralda finally debuted.
'……!'
Woojin, recognizing her instantly, locked eyes on Lily Header thenceforth.
The shock of his brief acquaintance being the stage's brightest star was secondary.
This pieced together the puzzle of his seat upgrade from nosebleeds to prime real estate.
Kindness repaid with kindness.
His gaze burned with resolve not to miss a second of her performance.
"Bohemian... Who knows where I wander?"
'Just in case' became certainty. Her crystalline timbre matched the melody perfectly.
* * *
Act 1 to Act 2, through 20-minute intermission.
The 2.5-hour onslaught of love and desire stole Woojin's soul.
Quasimodo's love for Esmeralda: tragic.
Frollo's: obsessive.
Phoebus's: misguided lust.
Three shades of song.
Esmeralda, pierced by desire masked as 'love,' met her end.
He was so immersed, tears streamed unnoticed.
This... is musical theater.
As a trainee, even plays were luxuries—no bandwidth for musicals.
He'd never known their grandeur and lingering power.
Minutes of unrelenting applause felt integral to the art.
'Ouch, too hard.'
Enthralled at curtain call, he'd clapped wildly. Only outside did his palms sting.
"Enjoy the show?"
His guide staffer approached again.
"Yes, phenomenal! 100/10."
"Heehee, thrilled as staff to see you so satisfied."
She continued, "If it's not too much, may I guide you once more?"
"Huh? Where to?"
More guiding? Woojin nodded curiously.
"Lily Header as Esmeralda asked if you have time."
Post-curtain, actors typically de-costume first. Her request via proxy carried apologetic tones.
Genuine sincerity—why refuse? Plenty of time, and gratitude for the prime seat and unforgettable show.
Woojin smiled and nodded. She led him backstage.
「Who knows? Like how I randomly met Amanda and spent time with her, maybe you'll get a miraculous connection or friend too.」
Jun-an hyung's words echoed.
Looks like a good connection indeed.