The London production 1

ML6 wrote:

You?! Speaking to the Lord!?

Pics or it didn't happen.

Given what happened yesterday I'm not sure I actually want to speak to him ever again...LOL... Not to mention I've never seen anyone have such an allergic response to the sight of a camera even if it wasn't meant for him. It's true, ALW is the Phantom of the Opera.

One week to go till visit number 31!

It's visit number 23 for me One week to go, one week to go!

When you all go see Phantom on the 20th, is there any way you can find out the box-office receipts or at least attendance for HM and the Adelphi? It'd be hilarious, poetic justice if the original beat the new show that night.

That would be awesome, Senor. One weird thing about the west end that has irritated me is that box office numbers appear to be protected and are not released. I say that this is weird because broadwayworld.com discloses all the numbers for Broadway shows. I'd love to know how west end Phantom sells when compared to some of the newer and 'bigger' shows. I imagine that in London Phantom is probably still in the top ten for the 'big' shows (no doubt behind Momma Mia, Lion King, Wicked -- and possibly WWRY). I also often wonder which sells out more - Mis or Phantom? Not sure if others have any insights into these questions.

SenorSwanky wrote:When you all go see Phantom on the 20th, is there any way you can find out the box-office receipts or at least attendance for HM and the Adelphi? It'd be hilarious, poetic justice if the original beat the new show that night.

Well, LND isn't happening on the 20th anyway now thanks to the first preview being cancelled. The original was doing extremely well on that night though and I reckon it'll do very well this coming week as it's half term (school holidays).

Phantom has always outsold Mis I think. Most of the year round you can always find half-price offers for Les Mis, which is not the case for Phantom. Plus a couple of times I've had my seats upgraded at Mis thanks to them closing a whole section, which has never happened to me at Phantom.

Scorp wrote:

ML6 wrote:

You?! Speaking to the Lord!?

Pics or it didn't happen.

Given what happened yesterday I'm not sure I actually want to speak to him ever again...LOL... Not to mention I've never seen anyone have such an allergic response to the sight of a camera even if it wasn't meant for him. It's true, ALW is the Phantom of the Opera.

However, you DO have some proof of your meeting, don't ya?

operafantomet wrote:

Scorp wrote:

ML6 wrote:

You?! Speaking to the Lord!?

Pics or it didn't happen.

Given what happened yesterday I'm not sure I actually want to speak to him ever again...LOL... Not to mention I've never seen anyone have such an allergic response to the sight of a camera even if it wasn't meant for him. It's true, ALW is the Phantom of the Opera.

However, you DO have some proof of your meeting, don't ya?

He's got a half-arsed signature on a crummy LND flyer. If it was signed on an orignal Phantom one, then that would have been a lot better.

I was once upgraded at Phantom actually... I phoned up and they said they only had balcony left (so I was like woah selling well this was a Tues Mat Jan 09) and when I got there the woman said "The balcony is closed today go to the box office." So i did and I was sat in seat B15 and B16 in the Royal Circle, which sells at £55 and was one of the best seats ever. The Grand Circle was pretty dead and the Royal was empty-ish at the sides.

However, it is true it is more common at Les Mis, and I've never seen Phantom that empty apart from that one day. Very odd.

Hello, just a quick note to say that Saturday's performance was amazing! I'll post a review either later today or tomorrow, if I get the chance. I just wanted to briefly share my excitement with you! Hope you guys had a nice weekend

Did you go to the matinee or evening? Very jealous if you were at the evening as you saw Scott!

Hope it was a good performance and look forward to hearing your thoughts

It was the evening performance. Scott was fantastic! I'll write a review as soon as I get a chance. Probs be up tomorrow.

Scott will be performing next Monday, both shows Tuesday and next Wednesday.

Of course doesn't mean he won't be on beforehand...

Review thread for my review of Saturday night's show

Read the review, and loved it! Now I feel a strong urge to see Scott Davies in the role!!

Anyone knows how long he's to stay for?

September so I hear!

YAY! That is good news. I feared he might leave in May, and I don't think I'll head for London before next cast change.

David was maybe leaving in May? But with Scott having dates in June because of David's wedding that would say that he has chosen to stay.

And this is unrelated and there is nowhere else to put it but (and it may not count for much) but Show and Stay's blog ranked Phantom's Overture/ Prologue as the best musical opening.

<unstructured stream-of-consciousness non-review>

David Shannon much improved since December. Great mirror scene and title song, great final lair that turned out to be unexpectedly moving. Angel not as brilliant as last time but still good. Music of the Night better, if a little too instructive rather than seductive and a couple of flat notes. Bowie-esque voice more appropriate to other songs; the 'niiiiiiiiiight' still isn't held. Gina and Simon absolute perfection; AIAOY even earned spontaneous applause before David came out of the Angel. Packed house but somewhat non-responsive audience with an annoying member behind me who, while not munching on some sweets, spent most of Act I dying. Wish he got on with snuffing it instead of prolonging his death most audibly during the rooftop scene. Half the ensemble vanished - 3 ballet girls off according to Fiona Morley. Consequently very pathetic-looking empty staircase during 'Masquerade' and a very boring and flat Hannibal. Show didn't really get going till the Mirror...until then I was bored. Nicky Adams off; whoever was on instead was much better. Scary fat clown on in Masquerade. (Doesn't a scary clown end up rolling down the stairs drunk in the Chaney film? Is this guy based on him?). Mic issues for everyone, most noticeably for Gina in PoNR. Saw very little apple porn because of stage right being cut off from view...seat had slightly restricted view. I hate people who lean forwards and don't care about blocking the view of the people behind them. Oh well. Set changes (esp. title song and Down Once More) spectacular to watch from Upper Circle. Theatre could do with a lick of paint; ALW please use your money on improving your theatres instead of on unnecessary sequels. Sold Out sign is still black, thank God. LND sign got a kick from me, no vomit this time. Crazy chandelier during Entr'acte/Masquerade...bulbs randomly going on and off like fairy lights on a Christmas tree...WTF? Ever since the digital sound upgrade the double Red Death's laughter has been messed up. It IS there (last time I thought it was absent) but it's just incredibly quiet. Has that wind sound effect on the rooftop in Act I always been there? I've noticed it the last few times I've been but can't remember if it's always been there or is a fairly recent addition. I miss SJD Buquet. Rebecca Lock on form...nice humour from her and I love how she violently abuses Reyer in the sitzprobe scene. We got small Piangi again; he doesn't need to lose any weight thank you very much. Why is there still a psoter of Nic Greenshields outside the theatre? Think I managed to take a couple of sneaky pics of the auction set and the chandelier without ushers shouting at me, I hope they turned out OK. Gina absolutely lovely to talk to at the stage door. Filmed a 10 sec vid with her and Simon Bailey telling everyone to vote for Phantom to win the Olivier, but I stopped filming when both pessimistically said there was no hope of competing against the power of the Wicked fangirls. Generally Act 2 a lot better and more engaging than Act 1 in this performance. My bus journey getting there was completely cursed, I suspect it's karma for not being a 'true Phan' and booking to see Phantom instead of LND today. PoNR still accent-free from the Phantom...is this a David Shannon thing or will they now switch back to not using it? OMG Will Barratt really DOES look like David Cameron, how scary. It's over now, the story doesn't continue.

</unstructured stream-of-consciousness non-review>

Scorp wrote:Has that wind sound effect on the rooftop in Act I always been there?

I believe they do that on Broadway. Can't remember on tour, but I've always been so far back, and the sound system usually sucks in those larger theaters, that I probably couldn't tell if they did.

It's over now, the story doesn't continue.

What, there's a sequel? Oh, yeah, that thing that'll close after 6 performances? I forgot about that.

I will post my non review when I get in. On my phone at the moment but in answer to the poster question it is because they haven't re scheduled the Scott photo shoot he couldn't do a few weeks ago because of his eye infection he had.

I am just going to post this in order, and only include random thoughts I had during the show.

I love when they release the "curtains" during the overture, it looks impressive with the way it is lit etc.
Hannibal, oh why are the ballet girls seeming to dance in a "circle" formation, oh because there is about 3 of them including Meg. No interaction between any actors apart from Katy Treharne and Alison Connell due to the fact a lot of ensemble tracks had to be switched around to fully cover the stage. This meant lots of lone ensemble members, standing, doing nothing, and the ballet girls excitement at the mention of the Vicomte was lost.
Think of Me, Simon really is enthusiastic isn't he...
Angel of Music, meh I can't remember anything except thinking oh the ballet girls don't look impressive when there are so little of them.
Mirror, oh David much improved and the way Gina turns round to face the mirror at the end is actually perfect.
MOTN, definitely David's weak point but much improved as was STYDI...
Notes, I love Barry James and the crick in his neck and what is up with Simon's costumes lately? I remember thinking that at this point but not sure if I was referring to the jacket (as I was before in an earlier review) and Prima Donna, woah Simon overload, please sort out mic levels. Cheryl as Giry is perfect, I really liked her in this scene, impressive as I don't usually notice Giry...
Il Muto... once again lack of ballet girls was off putting and the Shephard didn't have much enthusiasm in his dancing (due to earlier injury in the matinee) but he still did the bit I love motioning to the orchestra to stop when he notices the Phantoms shadow.
Rooftop... I did notice the wind effect a whole lot more tonight, I think it was due to my seat. AIAOY = Perfection, no more needs to be said.
Angel still fantastic, not as good as I remembered, it is definitely something to be appreciated when sitting rows C-F stalls as I have been previously.
Masquerade. Clown, clown, clown, woah mannequins. Highly noticable mannequins due to the lack of ensemble and Simon's dancing took on a whole new level when it is so noticeable... facepalm is all I'm saying. Gina, perfect, the sleeves of her costume though... Also... normally it looks a bit stupid when Raoul "loses" Christine in the crowd but with such a little ensemble it looked strange, almost as if "why are they ignoring each other?"
Mme Giry's Tale oh Cheryl you were doing so well what is this odd accent you've suddenly taken on? And lots of what can only be described as growling from Simon, it was angry Raoul tonight. (Well last night)
Wishing really good performance, there is nothing I can add to what I've said before and Wandering Child again with the mic levels, but still good. Gina's parallell between her entranced state in the mirror and this scene is amazing.
Seal my Fate.. woah did anyone else just notice what went on with the policeman in the pits gun there? Simon and Barry got an awful fright (even more so than usual, especially Simon) hard to describe what actually happened though, maybe Scorp noticed...
PONR. What an amazing performance of this song. Shame the mics went a bit crazy near the end.
Final Lair, definitely up there in the best I have seen the scene performed. Simon now says "Stay back" Gina and her screaming, she is fiesty anyway. David really tugged at the heart strings last night, definitely improving, definitely. Oh as Emma pulled back the cloak he wasn't "quite" gone, oops.
Overall verdict (I'll add to this "review" when I'm not feeling like rubbish...) Had there been a more substantial ensemble this would have been a good show either 8 or 9 out of 10, however I found myself willing for the ensemble scenes to be over which i don't normally do so I'll rate it as a 6 or 7 out of 10. Fantastic performance from Gina, great performance from Simon and David was good, he is improving, I would rate him higher but I really feel as though he has more to give...

Interesting that you both noticed the wind SFX during the rooftop scene. I hadn't noticed that before either, but I thought it was down to poor memory - must be new!

Sounded like a good performance. I still want to see David Shannon. Oh, by the way, can anyone tell me who the Phantom is in the Mirror shot in the current brochure? It's an awesome picture.

It is David Shannon believe it or not, you can tell by the eyes, I agree it is a beautiful shot.

Aled_Boyo wrote:Interesting that you both noticed the wind SFX during the rooftop scene. I hadn't noticed that before either, but I thought it was down to poor memory - must be new!

I've always heard that in the Broadway production. It always makes me feel cold during that scene.

Cape Twirl of Doom wrote:

Aled_Boyo wrote:Interesting that you both noticed the wind SFX during the rooftop scene. I hadn't noticed that before either, but I thought it was down to poor memory - must be new!

I've always heard that in the Broadway production. It always makes me feel cold during that scene.

Very noticeable in Copenhagen and Essen too, for whatever it's worth...

Thanks for very fun reviews/write-ups, both of you!

operafantomet wrote:

Cape Twirl of Doom wrote:

Aled_Boyo wrote:Interesting that you both noticed the wind SFX during the rooftop scene. I hadn't noticed that before either, but I thought it was down to poor memory - must be new!

I've always heard that in the Broadway production. It always makes me feel cold during that scene.

Very noticeable in Copenhagen and Essen too, for whatever it's worth...

Thanks for very fun reviews/write-ups, both of you!

So do we reckon the wind effect has always been there since 1986? The funny thing is that each time I hear it it surprises me even though I've heard it before however many times.

SJD is on as the Phantom again tonight, he was on yesterday too. Shannon wasn't bad, but would have loved to have seen SJD instead on Sat!

It is great SJD got to go on but some of Scott's friends had booked because it was "confirmed" dates for him this week. I think I am going to see Scott in March then that is my lot until cast change. I am also going to see that show that must not be named ...

dolly-ry wrote:It is great SJD got to go on but some of Scott's friends had booked because it was "confirmed" dates for him this week. I think I am going to see Scott in March then that is my lot until cast change. I am also going to see that show that must not be named ...

Oh dear, any reason? Good luck sitting through it.

So how come Scott's not on then?

SenorSwanky wrote:

Scorp wrote:Has that wind sound effect on the rooftop in Act I always been there?

I believe they do that on Broadway. Can't remember on tour, but I've always been so far back, and the sound system usually sucks in those larger theaters, that I probably couldn't tell if they did.

They've done that SFX for the tour for a while as far as I know (I remember hearing it when it stopped in Toronto).

I could be wrong on this one, but I seem to recall that this effect has not been done regularly for quite some time. That said, I believe that it was something that was done in the past -- maybe about ten years ago. It would make sense if they pulled out this special effect in June/July/August to cool off the theatre a little bit...!