The fact that I've held off seeing this for 20 odd years probably says something about my objectivity in commenting on it... but anyway, having finally taken the plunge yesterday - here goes, and I'd be interested to hear from anyone else who's seen it recently and agrees/disagrees with me.

Oh dear - apart from the chance to hear so many familiar tunes done live for the first time, what a let-down. Melodramatic stereotypes so one-dimensional that it was almost imperceptible when the action switched from the operatic pastiches to the 'actual' storyline. Seemingly endless duets where Christine was expected to simper virginally whilst the Phantom exerted his mysterious powers over her. Feeble 'effects' lacking either shock or spectacle value - including Phant's laughably crudely made-up 'real' face behind the mask and the much-hyped chandelier scene which 'crashed' rather gracefully and sedately, I thought.

The cast (with Robyn North as Christine) marched stoically through it all, as if painting by numbers, never managing to engage or stimulate emotional response in me by bringing more out of their characters then mere repetition of the script. Worst of all, I could have sworn that much of the singing was miming - so devoid of spontaneity was it - and could'nt decipher many of the lyrics thanks to the diction and/or sound system. I could go on...

Applause seemed dutiful rather than ecstatic, so is the explanation for its longevity simply that's it's achieved the status of Must-See Tourist Sight, like the Changing of the Guard, Carnaby Street and the Tower of London? Is it a dinosaur who's time has passed? Or does it just need a good kick up the bum?

I saw the show on Monday night, and I was pleasantly surprised. We had Katie Hall (?) understudy Christine, who is only 17 but stunningly good as Christine. Yes, the character is rather naive and "Head in the clouds", so a very young actress made this all believable and work. I was also very impressed with Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom, brilliant character conveyed. The music really is brilliant, I love hearing it live.

The show does somewhat show its age - especially as personally I became very fond of "Lord of the Rings", and having some similar special effects (moving set, fireballs, etc etc) Phantom looks like the prototype. It does impress in that you can see that 22 years ago that was stunning. But these days it's all a bit creaky! It definitely does need a kick up the bum - a couple of million invested, re-imagine the special effects for this generation's more sophisticated audience - neon flashes for lightning? please!

The Material works for me. The costumes are delicious. The cast worked well. The show sounded great. But the sets and effects need work to bring them into the 21st century!

I have to say that i would reluctantly agree with many of the comments here. Phantom has always been one of my favorite musicals, it was my first musical I saw on a 'big trip' to the West End when it first opened so it holds a special memory for me. However I saw it last year and was disappointed at how it has not aged well. THe effects and costumes looked tired; one major disappointment was the boat effect where you could clearly see the wheels through the very thin mist!

I think it needs some more money spent - new set etc give the london show the Las Vegas style

I've never seen it, but the sound system was replaced a few months ago, so it shouldn't be that.

I saw this show three weeks after it opened, when it was THE hot ticket in town, and had a slew of fantastic reviews. Your current analysis of the show sums up my feelings all those years back. The sets, costumes and general staging were lovely but, oh dear!, the content. And the dreary miscast performances!

I was, and remain, in a minority with my opinions on POTO, but more than any other I am mystified as to how it has lasted so long.

First time I saw it I had much the same reaction as the original poster, but someone dragged me to see it again a few years later; so second time around I wasn't expecting a "great musical", but rather a tacky, pompous and over-the-top melodrama... and that's what I got, and I quite enjoyed it! It's really just a lot of pretentious nonsense, but fairly entertaining pretentious nonsense if I go in the right frame of mind. I've seen it a few times since, and my opinion has remained pretty much the same. I'll only see it now if there's someone I really like in the cast.

I was dissuaded from seeing the show by the ridiculous hype when it was first announced. People were saying that it was one of the most amazing musicals ever written before it had even opened, and that the fact that ALW had written one role with his wife in mind meant it was going to be an unparalleled experience in theatrical history. I wanted to vomit. (This was, of course, back in the days when Lloyd Webber could do no wrong.)

So I've been putting off seeing it until there's someone I know in the cast. I'm still waiting. There's no hurry.

Each to their own, and a few years back I would have agreed with you. But the last year has seen the strongest casts the shows had (shown by the WOS nominations last year). Yes the sets and effects could do with an update (especially the graveyard scene and Christines noisy dressing room) but with regards to freshness of performances it is at its best at the moment.

Christine's noisy dressing room AND the Masquerade stairs could do with some work/redesigning to make them a bit quieter. And ok so a lot of the special effects are a bit obvious, but last year's cast were incredibly strong indeed. Like you said, the WOS nominations for Ramin Karimloo as Phantom and Leila Benn Harris and Robyn North as Christine speaks volumes - they are wonderful in the roles. Ramin has brought a real freshness to the role of Phantom, and every performance I have seen with him, he has brought something new to the character. Last year's ensemble cast were incredible too, they all seemed to get on really well and worked brilliantly together. That sense of camaraderie really shone through in the performances.
I have not been to see the new cast yet so I don't know if it is the same as last year. (And to be honest, I saw it so many times last year I think it is actually time for me to have a break, I'm a bit Phantomed out!) However, last year's cast proved to me that although the show is 22 years old (almost as old as me! Scary thought.) and some of the sets could be improved, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind of the freshness and enthusiasm of the performances.

Personally I think the performances in Phantom at the moment are superb. I am not entirely as convinced by Gina Beck as I was about Leila Benn Harris (I have never seen Robyn North) but Ramin Karimloo is simply superb.

I think the problem is that people still go to see it in their droves. I mean it is a huge show - known the world over. The London production has become a bit of a museum piece however "this is what the original looked like" - and that is selling tickets so why change it?!

I would really like the whole thing to be redesigned and staged though - I think with the advances in stage lighting, quietness of sets (!!) and just general theatre design this show could be superb...I guess whilst people are still paying to go and see it though - why change it?!

The new sound system that was installed earlier this year has definitely made an improvement. I know some people were a bit skeptical and didn't like it as much, but I really preferred it. There was a huge improvement in the clarity of the sound, and both dialogue and music were much better. (Though certain cast members informed me that they could no longer get away with talking between lines or muttering anything, as it was all picked up by the new mics!)

I do think that they should improve the noisy sets if they could, but generally I love it and I completely understand why people keep coming back for more.

I feel quite saddened that people are not enjoying Phantom any more.

When it first opened in 1986 I was not remotely interested in seeing it, and I am never happier than when my posterior is perched on a theatre seat. In October the following year I was dragged (kicking and screaming) to see it when the 2nd Phantom took over. I had never heard of the young man, Dave Willetts who took over from Michael Crawford.

The production was stunning the acting absolutely first class, and the singing, superb. I was converted, so much so that I took my Mum to see it 5 weeks later, and I continued travelling 400 miles to London and back every six weeks just to see the show.

When Mr Willetts moved on I did not visit the Capital so often, but then he opened in Manchester, and I took coach parties to see the show, as part of fundraising for the local Special Care Baby Unit. I travelled over the Pennines numerous times to see this wonderful show.

The show opened in Bradford with Peter Karre and I went with some friends, absolutely diabolical, which was upsetting because I was to take a full coach the following week.

55 of us went to see the show and being a Saturday Matinee we were to be entertained by the understudy playing Phantom.

This time a gentleman called Alan Vickary - once again the show regained its magic an absolute sensation, the costumes had changed but were wonderful and the sets different, but still a first class show.

I do hope it improves, maybe with times being as difficult as they are at the present, the public are not able to appreciate the sheer hard work that goes into these productions, and maybe the talent is just not there any more.

I can't agree here as every time I've been to see the show the audiences have been very appreciative and enthusiastic. I think the last cast and the current cast were/are excellent and I say well done to everyone at Her Majesty's for giving theatregoers a wonderful two hours or so of great entertainment over the past 22 years.

Sorry if what I said seemed to come out a little negative...

I still think this is a fantastic show and is absolutely amazing - the performances particularly at the moment are superb. In some ways it is credit to the original production team that this still looks so good after 22 years - I mean just think how much less technology they had to work with - I just was commenting it could do with a little freshening up - but I mean after 8 performances a week for 22 years I am sure we'd all do with some freshening up!!!