The Phantom of the Opera

Synopsis

Set below the stage of the Paris Opera - a horribly deformed ex -performer 'haunts' the backstage and public areas - insisting that he has a box for his own private use. He falls in love with a beautiful young chorus singer and trains his pupil (who never sees him) to take over the star role. She excels and everyone wonders where she came from and how she developed such a beautiful voice. The Phantom, who has now revealed himself to her, decides to take her with him to spend her life in his subterranean lair but she is rescued by her lover.

Our Review:

Keith Paterson - 25 September 2012

I was at the very first preview of Phantom in London. My memories of that performance were of a chandelier drop that went wrong, an unrecognisible (visually and vocally) Michael Crawford, a lavish and sumptuous production and a lush score. However, I remained resolutely unmoved by the experience though I recognise I am somewhat in the minority.

Now some 25 years or more later Phantom has a new production, albeit one that uses the original.and wonderful Maria Bjornson costumes, that is nearly as lavish. It is very well sung by a strong ensemble but still leaves me detached, admiring the stage craft but never getting swept up in the story. The problem, I think, is in the writing and not the production. There is so much story telling going on that you don't connect with the lead characters until about 2/3rds of the way into Act 2 and by then it is too late.

John Owen-Jones is a big-voiced and effective Phantom and Katie Hall is splendid as Christine...

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