Political Correctness Rings Hunchback Death Knell

Yahoo! News ^ | June 28, 2002 | Reuters

[johnnyb93]

Political Correctness Rings Hunchback Death Knell Fri Jun 28, 9:22 AM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - A British theater company has dropped the word hunchback from its stage adaptation of the classic novel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" to avoid offending disabled people, newspapers reported Friday.

Oddsocks Productions has renamed its touring production "The Bellringer of Notre Dame" after discussions with a disability adviser raised the possibility of offending people with spina bifida or the disfiguring scoliosis of the spine.

"We have not changed the novel in any way, we simply felt changing the title would cause less offence of people," producer Elli Mackenzie was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

French author Victor Hugo's classic 1831 novel, set in 15th century Paris around the cathedral of Notre Dame, tells the tragic story of a deformed bellringer Quasimodo and his love for a beautiful gypsy girl Esmeralda.

The novel has been translated into 20 languages and adapted several times for the stage and screen -- including a 1939 Hollywood film starring Charles Laughton and Maureen O'Hara.

The original title of the novel was "Notre Dame de Paris," but its name was changed when the book was translated into English and the hunchback has remained part of the title until now.

Libby Biberian of the Scoliosis Association told newspapers she was pleased at the change.

"I would be embarrassed and offended by the original title," she said.

[johnnyb93]

There are other classics and characters that could benefit by renaming them. Captain Hook should be Captain Manual Prosthetic.

[Concentrate]

bttt

[WKB]

The Senior Citizen Who Lived In A Leather House

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

True Censorship........The NY Board of Regents wanted to make literature less offensive lest student were offended. Common sense won out, this time.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

One more thing

"I would be embarrassed and offended by the original title," she said.

So? or Big f'ing deal. I am offended and emabarrassed every day. I do not expect nor do I get society wiping my brow because of it.

She obviously has scoliosis of the brain. Whoops! Sorry if I offended anyone.

[usadave]

Libby Biberian of the Scoliosis Association told newspapers she was pleased at the change. "I would be embarrassed and offended by the original title," she said.

I am embarrassed and offended by Libby Biberian.

[A. Pole]

A British theater company has dropped the word hunchback from its stage adaptation of the classic novel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" to avoid offending disabled people, newspapers reported Friday.

What is the newest correct word? Humpback? Spine curvature challenged? Ot maybe guessback?

[Caipirabob]

My prayers for the British people, they were part of a noble nation once. That was a long time ago. Time to mourn their passing into history...

"I would be embarrassed and offended by the original title," she said.

All please hail "THE ISLE OF MASSIVE WUSSIES"!

[Erasmus]

Did they remove the gimp from the actual play?

No?

What hippo-critts!!!!!

They shoulda given the guy some PC disability that they could assume any hot chick would find repulsive.

Like make him a religious conservative.

<+>-<)B^)

[Concentrate]

If the word huchback is so offensive, they should change the name back to it's original: "Notre Dame de Paris". (Said in a French accent, of course)

[Alouette]

We have not changed the novel in any way

That's at least better than what the Disney folks did.

[Concentrate]

LOL! But they can't, because he ends up being a hero in the end.

[mware]

LOL. Then there is the matter of Tinkerbell, definitely not PC.

[Great Wombat]

"This is our attempt to prove to our children that NOTHING is too stupid to happen."

"We are also not really thrilled with the flagrant use of the word 'lepers' in the Bible, as this word has a negative connotation."

"We were going to protest the use of the word 'wheelchair' being used in hospitals, but someone pointed out that it is actually a chair with wheels on it."

[albee]

"Snowhite and the Seven Height-Challenged Men"?????

[albee]

""Snowhite and the Seven Height-Challenged Men"?????"

Ooooops...to be perfectly PC, change "Snowhite" to "Neutrally Colored Lady"!

[Mark17]

"Snowhite and the Seven Height-Challenged Men"?????

I think using the word "white" is un PC. Stop it immediately. LOL, sarcasm off.

[Kermit]

Hunchback = dorsally-challenged

[Alouette]

"Snowhite and the Seven Height-Challenged Men"?????

Speaking of which, has anyone seen the most recent version, with the 6'5" "dwarf"?

[The Great RJ]

I recently attended a presentation of Agatha Chritie's play, "Ten Little Indians." Of course the PC crowd had to change the title to "And Then There Were None". However, the ten little Indian boy figurines central to the plot were referred to as the 10 little "Bengali" Boys. Go figure.