Show Pics: Phantom Returns in Love Never Dies Date: 5 March 2010
Ahead of its gala opening on Tuesday (9 March 2010), we've put together a gallery of production images from Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical Love Never Dies, which has already become one of the most talked-about theatrical premieres in recent times.
The subject of 70 pages (and counting) of discussion on the Whatsonstage.com forum, as well as countless column inches in newspapers and the blogosphere, the show - a continuation of the Phantom of the Opera story - has proved one of Lloyd Webber's most hotly debated musicals yet. And that's before the critics have even had a look (it began previews last week - 22 February). Love Never Dies is set in 1907, ten years after the conclusion of the original story. The Phantom has escaped to New York with Madame and Meg Giry and found success in the fairgrounds of Coney Island as a magician and entertainer. When he builds a new opera house, he persuades his old ingenue Christine Daae, now a huge star and married to her old flame Raoul, to sing for him once more...
Well, I saw the preview on March 6th, so I guess it was pretty close to opening night content. Anyone expecting Phantom 2 will be disappointed. Sets and Costumes are not as lavish, there is less colour and no stand-out scenes like the Boat ride or the setting for Masquerade. However, the show was excellent. The simplicity of sets was actually an added benefit to the production. The Costume design was clever rather than ostentatious. I was struck by the brilliance of Christines costume on her arrival in New York versus the drabness of everyone else on stage. There were at least 4 songs that "have legs". Sing Once More, Friends, Devil Takes, and of course the title. The Principals well all very strong. perhaps the Best Phantom to have played London has transferred well to this show. Yes the story is a bit convoluted but then the original Phantom story also requires suspension of belief to get you through it. So on balance. Its not Phantom 2. It is a good show, well cast and superbly played by the 6 Principals. Apart from a terrible Lloyd Weber Rock number, the music has some memorable tunes. Could perhaps been a bit more lavish. $6Million Producstion cost is a lot but not compared to some very lavish shows like Disneys Beauty and the Beast which came in at $10million. It biggest problem may well be the Phantom "snobs" who would have slated it under almost any circumstances just because it wasn't Phantom. - Musical Theatre Fan
09 Mar 10
The musical will be renamed on the night of the premiere: it will be called LLOYD WEBBER DIES. - Carlotita Rojas
08 Mar 10
This is a really terrible show. The pictures hide the monster that it is.
The main issue is the story. There isn't one. D-- for Ben Elton and chums there. Music is ok, apart from the pant wettingly funny sci-fi rock. - cassox
08 Mar 10
The photo look pretty good, but isnt the phantom suppose to like 60? i think thats one thing that doesnt look right, the phantom look younger than Christine. From what i heard from the previews the plot is like soap-opera and the songs are no memorable.I just dont know, this sequel doesnt grap my interest. - JAy
08 Mar 10
I saw this show on the 27th Feb, and despite having some reservations about it because of Phantom (which in my opinion, is the best show in the West End), I went along with an open mind, not judging before I had seen it, as some people have done.
I thought that LND is actually really very, very good! There are some very tiny snippets of music from Phantom in the score, however I think its a good thing that they departed from the original so much - after all, its a completly different show set in a different time and place (even though the charatcers obviously follow through). Having said that, there are still some beautiful songs ('Til I Hear You Sing' being one of the best) in it, and some catchy tunes too ('Bathing Beauties' is one to easily get stuck in your head!). There is also some spectacle with the song 'Beauty Underneath' which is a lot of fun.
The cast are all excellent, notably Sierra B (Christine), Summer S (Meg Giry) and in particular Ramin K (the Phantom) who brings his fabulous performance from the original Phantom. The only (minor) downside for me was the fairly abrupt ending, but otherwise it is a fun and emotional rollercoaster ride with some brilliant, lively and gorgeous songs which - I think - is a worthy successor to Phantom of the Opera and is well worth seeing. - Ellie
07 Mar 10
To add to my comments and after reading Mr Fox comments--yes maybe the dates are not quite right but when you are watching this lovely story, the dates are not important. As for Liz Robertson--well she was as wonderful and has her a great voice and shame we don't see her more on stage these days, so great to see her and her performance was as good and professional as always (in her costume she did remind me of Mrs. Danvers in Rebecca). I hope this is a great success for Lord Webber because it is a superb show. - Joe Spiteri
07 Mar 10
Sorry Jonny,I feel sorry for you Liz Robertson(Madame Giry)is one of our finest musical actreses to grace the British stage perhaps you would be better watching pantos. - Mick Fiddler
07 Mar 10
The lazy plotting is just one of the many disappointments attending this overblown, overloud and underwhelming sequel.
Phantom takes place in 1881. If it's now 1907, Christine's son Gustave would be 26, not ten, she'd be in her mid forties and Madame Giry would be dead.
If only ... - JohnnyFox
07 Mar 10
Saw Love Never Dies on Thursday and was very impressed--a beautiful show---the Stage settings are fabulous and the story and score beautiful. The main Song Love Never Dies is absolutely beautiful and sang by Sierra Boggess just wonderful (much better that Katherine Jenkins singing who warbles to much in the song for my liking. All the cast a great especially Ramin and Sierra. If there is one thing I would have liked is a few more memorable songs because though some good songs, the only one that really one remembers is the title song. In most Webber shows there are several songs that one comes out humming to. Anyway a brilliant show and would see again. - Joe Spiteri
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