Very disappointed with this production .... Whatever has happened to Masquerade? No Red Death costume, the graveyard scenery visible in previous scene, absolutely no chemistry between any of the three main leads, no bride replica in Phantom's lair and instead of Christine fainting and being sweptbupmin the Phantom's arms, she visibly jumped up into his arms!! Can't wait to get back to Her Majesty's to see the original and without doubt, the best! - Rockey
01 Jan 13
Phantom of the Opera was out of this world, the scale of the set was breathtaking, it was like being warped into a Phantom world! The lighting, costume, cast and everything else was faultless, special mention to Katie Hall and Earl Carpenter who blew me away, well done guys! Such a shame the audience couldn't be bothered to get up on their feet at the end so disrespectful!
Oh and also people above who have rated this tour 1 star deserve to be shot, this tour was breathtaking and you guys obviously aren't bothered to experience theatre to the full, disrepectful morons! - Robert Jones
09 Dec 12
Anyone who says this show was terrible deserves to be shot. This was brilliant. If you are complaining of your seats dont be such a cheapskate and buy better ones. The show was amazing the characters really projected there voices and showed a lot of emotion. - Jack
01 Oct 12
Brilliant!!
Did some of you go to the same show? - Steve
30 May 12
Left after the first half! Not impressed ! - Jane
19 May 12
I would like to warn anyone how holds this show close to their hearts (as I DID) that this version bears no resemblence to the theatrical masterpiece that is is...was!!! VERY DISAPPOINTING! I was ready to leave at the end of the first act. But surely the opening of act II would yield the thrill and the magic? Absolutely .... NOT!!!! You can't improve on perfection and though the stage set is clever it doesn't add anything to Phantom. In fact, it would be more befitting a production of Thunderbirds (be doubly warned that if you are sat under the Circle you will miss half the action - who is responsible for sight lines? They should be sacked!). When something isn't broken you shouldn't try to mend it. All the features of the original are missing. I even closed my eyes to see if the music alone would fulfil but sadly not. This production left me feeling irritated, annoyed and totally deflated. - michael chesterfield
19 May 12
Very dissappointed in not seeing my review sent a few days ago a waste of my time and effort. I have no intentions of using your facility again. - Charles Thirtle-Watts
16 May 12
This show is amazing. Yes the lake and chandelier aspects are missing, but it is a production on tour! The most important elements are the characters and John Owen Jones is the Phantom. His voice is simply incredible. - EmiLou
12 May 12
Having read all these reviews before attending last night's performance (10th May 2012) I was very concerned that I would be deeply disappointed having seen the original production many years ago, however I have to say that I left the Palace Theatre totally fulfilled!
As with other people I sorely missed the staircase scene as that was the most memorable part for me from the original production.
On the plus side, I was more 'moved' by the performances than the first time (particularly from the lead roles) and Carlotta was very amusing with an amazing voice! We were sat in the stalls C18-20 and felt that these were perfectly situated.
In some ways I really wish some things hadn't been removed for this updated version of Phantom but the show was still amazing and my 14 year old daughter who was witnessing it for the first time was spellbound!
All in all a wonderful evening ~ thank you to all involved and also to the staff of the Palace Theatre.
- Lisa Dermody
11 May 12
An afternoon to remember - fantastic performances from Katie and John which left my toughy of a husband with tears streaming down his cheeks and on his birthday yesterday !! Worth every penny - congratulations to all the cast - Maggie Lees
11 May 12
Suburb casting. John Owen-Jones Katie Hall & Simon Bailey where wonderful. Have seen the show before & felt all the problems really arose from the choice of theatre. But yes chandelier & espesially the staircase (which is my favourite piece) where very missed. But that should not spoil anyone enjoying the performances that took place. Bravo All. I loved the fact that we where left feeling so sad & sorry for the phanthom. - Dee Anders
10 May 12
I went to see the show last night (10th May) and came away disappointed and unmoved. Much of it had to do with the fact that we could not see the top quarter of the stage; it was obliterated by the overhanging of the circle balcony. We could not see the chandelier at all nor the Phantom and Christine's first descent and at one point could hear singing but the stage was blank as the action was taking place higher than we could see. I was expecting spectacular from 'Masquerade' but neither the set nor the costumes enthused me. In my opinion this production is a poor relative of those I have seen previously in the past and extremely disappointing. - Martie
10 May 12
Having seen Phantom in London and Broadway was so disappointed with the show last night. Singing performances were good and John Owen was excellent as the Phantom. However, the whole set felt like something out of an amateur dramatics performance and like others have said, key things were missing. Disappointed that where we were sat meant that could not see the chandelier apart from on a TV screen and could not see the top of the sets. Masquerade was a huge disappointment. It may be alright for those people who have never seen it before, but not what I was expecting. - Kazz
10 May 12
Absolutely devastated... had no idea until I saw tonights show that chandelier, staircase, lake scene, etc were missing... totally pointless production. The most annyoying thing is this (And this is something I have complained to Cameron Mackintosh ltd about)Click onto the booking site, and you are shown a promo vid of the show, showing, guess what? A staircase, and a crashing chandelier.... neither of which appear in the production. £53 for a reduced performance? Not good enough. People who are in raptures over this show have clearly not seen the original, FULL performance.. The opera house managed it, why not the Palace? Travesty. - Christine Smith
09 May 12
The Phantom was amazing, by far one of the best I have seen, and fantastic singer. Like the other comments, I was very disappointed with the set, the lack chandelier was clearly noticeable, Im sure they have crashed it onto that stage many years ago?!?! - Dani
07 May 12
Have seen the original in London 58 times over the past 20 years. Saw this version on 4th may, although yes I take my hat off to the cast and design, which in some parts cleverly done, I just did not feel the magic as you do with the original.
The London show works so brilliantly it's faultless,
and yes I will join in with the others who say the chandelier and staircase IS a big loss, and I don't care what anyone says but 2 big integral parts of the show.
So my overall verdict,
Tour-8/10
London 10/10
You just can't top a masterpiece! - Mike
07 May 12
What a travesty. I couldn't wait to see it having seen the production at the opera house many years ago. It's like comparing a silk purse with a sows ear. I felt nothing. There was no chemistry between either couple and the lack of theatrics took away all the magic which mesmerised me all those years ago. - Mandy
06 May 12
I really feel that the review by Craig May 5th could be very misleading.
I take it he has not seen the original production - mentioned in my previous review.
He says 'In a small venue' perhaps he would like to know that the Manchester Palace Theatre is almost twice the size of its London home - Her Majesty's Theatre.
Everyone who has seen the original production, complains about the Chandelier, Lake scene and missing staircase in Masquerade.
Its still a great show but would benefit from the original staging, which may I remind, was used at the Manchester Opera House first time round. - Alan
05 May 12
Attended the (03/05/12 evening show fantastic performance from the whole cast The set was amazing - Dave T
05 May 12
What a load of tosh some people are talking, SUPERB show, amazing set for such a small venue, sure if you want to see the full bell and whistles then your going to have to go elsewhere, but as entertainment goes, FANTASTIC.
As for some of the negative comments, seriously people have a word with yourselves, its a show, simple as, youe not going to watch the best vocals on the planet, i am sure if these actors came to your worl place they could say a few things negative as well.
Go an watch, enjoy, soak it up, BRILLIANT. - Craig
05 May 12
How can anyone give this a bad review the cast were amazing the set was fantastic we were in the stalls 10 rows back had an amazing view this was well worth the wait thankyou to all who were involved! - neil
05 May 12
Like Flecky Bennett I too saw Dave Willetts as the Phantom in Manchester in the 1990's , he was indeed terrific. Since the I have seen many productions in Manchester, London and on Broadway , all have been enjoyable so I went along tonight to the new version with eager anticipation but was very disappointed, it just doesn't compare . Like other comments the lack of chandelier ,staircase , gondola ride , and the appalling statue in the graveyard beggars belief . It put me in mind of something a dictator has erected of himself! The final nail in the coffin was all the stagehands on stage taking away the magic of the show. Despite having been many times I wouldn't bother again , I can save my money and watch the Albert Hall production on DVD , which was brilliant. - Veronica Holden
03 May 12
Took the kids to see a spectacle having seen it twice before. What a disappointment. No chandelier, no boat ride scene worth the mention, no staircase. The graveyard scene evoked no emotion, ( I even cried at that scene in the film!). Sadly, cannot recommend this production. - sandra
03 May 12
This is not Phantom as I know it. Folks, if you are thinking this is the original.... its not! First timers will no doubt enjoy it but I'm sorry this new production just didn't do it for me... How can you leave the staircase, the chandelier and all the costumes out? Very disappointed - Raphael
03 May 12
I saw this production on the 28th of April, it's the 4th time I've seen it but the first time with the new set design, and althought I missed certain sets from the previous design (the staircase in the mascarade scene and the chandelier falling) this was by far the best show I've seen. All the cast were superb (I especially loved Carlotta) but John Owen-Jones was utterly perfect, I always end up wishing Christine would choose the phantom but he really took my breath away this time, the emotion and passion he brought to the role were stunning. I was almost crying for him at the end and even giving him a cheering standing ovation didn't seem like enough praise. - Cat
02 May 12
What show was some of these watching, saw it yesterday - first time - absolutely brilliant, Christine when she starting singing made me cry twice, never happened before, she was fantastic. The phantom stole of the show his voice, what can I say, my friend and I thoroughly enjoyed and wouldn't hesitate in watching it all over again. Just a bit disappointed with the ending. - Mia2
29 Apr 12
Really didn't enjoy this one bit. We too were sat near the back of the stalls and at several points in the show were faced with a blank screen where we knew things were happening but we couldn't see anything. Also thought the songs very boring and repetitive and it didn't move me one bit. Have wanted to see Phantom for Years but won't bother rushing back. Christine and the Phantom just didn't seem to provoke any emotion, very wooden performances in my opinion - juliedee4663
28 Apr 12
We were on the front row ,I felt sorry for the couple who had the conductor standing right in front of them,the couple had gone in part 2 ! I enjoyed the performance,wasn't reduced to tears though which is unusual for me and I too thought Christine was a bit wobbly. However it was a great performance. - Blossumtree.
28 Apr 12
I was completely spellbound from start to finish. The setting was outstanding, and the standards of acting, dancing and singing were first-class. Katie Hall, particularly, shone in her role as Christine. This is one show not to be missed! - Elizabeth Farlake
27 Apr 12
I thought it was brilliant. The cast were great the set was good. I am completely smitten with John Owen Jones what an amazing talent. I would absolutely go and see it again - Thewife
24 Apr 12
absolutely amazing show, seen for the first time, but unfortunately became a victim of the pickpockets after the show !! please ladies.. watch your bags !! - carole green
24 Apr 12
show was very very good
please be careful though pick pockeets operating outside palace theatre after the show BEWARE - becky
22 Apr 12
Seen the show many times and after seeing this latest production feel very disappointed. It seems like short cuts have been made and not to have the staircase & masquerade after the interval was.... very disappointing. The costumes, colours and strength of the song make it an integral part of the show.
No doubt it will still be a huge success. Original for me please..... - Guy Ebanks
21 Apr 12
Have seen the show before - Manchester a couple of times and London once.
I agree with other reviewers the chandelier was very poor- this we always thought to be a magical part of the show and the missing staircase for masquerade somehow left little impact with us.
Having said this the show is still amazing - everyone was just magnificent and we would have no hesitation seeing this production again.
We had seats in the 'Gods' knew from the last time we saw Phantom and did not miss a thing.
- Alan O
20 Apr 12
I completely agree with Skydust's comment.
Where do I begin? We were sat in Row Q in the stalls and could not see half of what was going on. Christine uses too much vibrato, (I would say she actually depends on it as she can't withhold a note more than a minim). The Phantom totally lacked emotion and completely shattered our high expectations. Carlotta wasn't 'prima donna' at all. Her character lacked the wow factor and vital twang in her voice. At one point, the stage hands stood out like a sore thumb, aimlessly waiting at the side of the stage for the scene transition. The original 1985 beautiful, elaborate, overgrown graveyard set in "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" was reduced to this measly singular cross and poor excuse for a statue. The epic chandelier moment was none-existent: a ridiculous wobble (which we couldn't see anyway!) The staging and choreography was mediocre. The amount of times the actors executed the stereotypical 'madness pose' (both hands being placed on one's head) was irritating. Even when Christine faints for Phantom to catch her in the 'Music of the Night' sequence, there is an embarrassing moment of "Oh, am I going to faint now, even though I have no reason to do so whatsoever? Well, okay then." My sister who has cried at every production since she was six years old, and is now eighteen, did not. To quote her, "I felt nothing." Sis, the feeling was mutual.
Finally, to paraphrase Phantom's words, "It's over now the Music of The Night". Alas, Phantom fans, I'm sorry to report, it truly is. A travesty. An embarrassment. A horror of a production.
- Katie
20 Apr 12
I too have seen phantom around 20 times and became an actor because of the 90's production in Manchester. Dave Willetts in my opinion was unbelievable and to me is a very hard act to follow. I went along tonight just to see what the new production was all about and I found it a bit of a mixed bag. The first journey down below into the phantoms lair was nothing short of amazing. This left the previous prediction looking dated, however the Chandelier and staircase were sadly missed. I was always in bits by the end of the previous production and was hardly touched until the final scene and I'm not ashamed to say the tissues were needed once again. - Flecky Bennett
18 Apr 12
Carolyn - what row in the stalls were you please? We are in the stalls in May and I am a but miffed after reading your review?? - Tracie
18 Apr 12
Saw Phanton last night (17/4/12) absolutely superb! What a great cast, Katy Hall, John Owen Jones, what a match. All cast superb, costumes and set. One added bonus....walking up the stairs in the middle circle Andrew Lloyd Webber!!! looking so casual, not even in a royal Box!!! - Pam Young
18 Apr 12
MickFiddler - you have done what!?!?!
Seen it 40* Times!!!
Are you an Usherette or Follow Spot person? - Jean Bradley
16 Apr 12
We had seats in the rear of the stalls. We were unable to see very well and whilst I appreciate that we did not pay for the better seats I would have at least expected to have been able to see all elements of the show. We could not see the chandalier scene nor could we see any part of the show which included anything above the top 1/3 height of the stage. Quite disappointing. - Carolyn Howard
16 Apr 12
loved the show, we have seen the west end version however to be realistic this was also superb and thought the cast were superb and the music fantastic... - zita and mac
15 Apr 12
Amazing show with a wonderfully talented cast. This touring production weaves its own magical spell. - megwitch
14 Apr 12
It was a brilliant show,fantastic John as the phantom.And Christine has a beautiful voice.But so missed the chandelier going up &the staircase,for the masquerade,just those two things were important to me. - Erica thompson
12 Apr 12
Disapointing I thought at the Palace in Manchester. Sound quality was a bit erratic and I felt the show was "delivered" rather than "Performed" Katie Hall had far too much wobble in her voice and was poor in my opinion, John Owen without doubt had the voice and power but somehow lacked the menace and vulnerability. The stage was interesting but far too busy and the chandelier quite pathetic, a key feature sadly missing. Yes it's enjoyable and watchable, but I felt rushed and delivered. I think a few minore tweaks may be in order. I had friends in the stalls who complained of being unable to hear or see many key roles and parts of the show so the Cirle is a recomended area. Hardened long time fans may be left wanting, new fans should be quite comfortable with the new production. - SkyDust
12 Apr 12
I agree it was like watching a new show,having seen the original 40+times.The whole cast gave 100% and it was hard to fault,however nothing moved me really I did miss the rising chandelier and the masquarade staircase,to give the Sir Cameron due credit now it is going to go into theatres which have never staged it and give local theatregoers a chance to see it for the first time. - MickFiddler
