25th anniversary celebrations

This is not to say that the interpretation is all Fraser’s fault. As a complete newcomer to the role, he had no prior experience to draw on. I suspect as a blank slate, his performance was influenced primarily by the director and ALW. And as it stands, it is clear that this particular Raoul would plausibly develop into the alcoholic, gambling Raoul of LND.

And all it took was making him completely implausible as the sort of person a woman of Christine's character and circumstances might find charming or comforting. If you can't make the sequel work, just make sure the original is as badly screwed up! (This is known as the George Lucas School of Artistic Revisionism).

Going to see this tomorrow, and alternately anticipating and dreading the circumstance--to paraphrase Lizzy Bennet, I hear such different accounts as to puzzle me exceedingly. I'm going to do my best to put LND firmly in the Discontinuity box and see how/if everything fits together as a stand-alone piece--which is really what it should do anyway.

~LCD

I'll write a proper review at some point probably but I was at the Sunday evening performance and thanks to a stroke of luck I ended up sitting in some fantastic seats for only £45. Here's some quick thoughts :

By far the worst casting choice was Hadley Fraser as Raoul. I do believe he was playing it very much as a Raoul from LND though. I don't know if everyone could see this, but from my vantage point from the second he came down either of the staircases he was swaggering down them almost. It was really distracting.

From my vantage point I could quite clearly see the "Christine" parts where it was actually Katie Hall, I thought at one point she actually seemed to turn right round to the audience but I had a slightly side on view so it may have just appeared that way to me.

The second worst casting choice was Wynne Evans, is it true he cracked some notes on Saturday and that's why he did that really embarrassing on purpose note in Hannibal on Sunday? It fell really flat with the audience.

Hannibal seemed VERY crowded, though I lived they split the ballet girls into two groups and they got a longer count of music than in the "normal" show.

Sierra Boggess really does have an odd accent when she hits high notes, I can't decide what it sounds like.

I saw some rather naughty eye rolling from one of the firemen whilst Sarah Brightman was singing!

It was the first time I haven't felt very emotional at Raoul's "I did it all for you and all for nothing" in the Final Lair.

Peter Joback sounds identical to Oliver Thornton! I wasn't impressed with him (yes he can sing) but I felt so bad that the audience went practically silent when he sung that I had to whoop a bit for him, I really felt for him.

ETA: The most amazing part of the whole thing for me was strangely when I caught Gareth Snook wiping a tear away at the end of Point of No Return. I told him afterwards I'd quite like him to never leave HM's after that performance and he said he'd inform the management ha!

starryeyed wrote:Peter Joback sounds identical to Oliver Thornton! I wasn't impressed with him (yes he can sing) but I felt so bad that the audience went practically silent when he sung that I had to whoop a bit for him, I really felt for him.

He really does sound like Thornton. And that's tragic. They're both great in Cabaret like roles, or probably also in elusive roles a la "Der Tod" (Elisabeth). But neither suits the dramatic hero roles. Not voice wise, at least. Some has said I should give Peter Jöback a chance, as his portrayal might be fantastic. Might be, but that won't change his voice. Not even though they're asked him to sing deeper. He won't grow a Phantom voice like one can let ones hair grow. I really felt for him as well, as I know he is a most devoted artist. He's just so miscast. I fear he'll be butchered.

I also agree about the casting. And what's striking is that those I had most issues with was the one who had no previous experience from Phantom. HATED Hadley Fraser's Raoul with a passion, couldn't care less about Wynne Evans' Piangi, and even sweet Daisy Maywood appeared bland as Meg. Though, I must say I was massively disappointed with Liz Robertson as well, and she was solid Phantom experience. So it ain't written in stone. But those I didn't care about was in large those who were "stunt cast".

I completely forgot about Daisy Maywood! Sums that up... she annoyed me every time she was on stage, I'm not sure why. Apparently she's Meg in the tour so maybe she'll grow into the role.

Poor Peter Joback, maybe he would be best to avoid online fan written reviews both from the concert and when he starts his stint as Phantom or he'll drive himself crazy. I got the feeling David Shannon was aware of his reputation when he was Phantom when I spoke to him once when he'd left and while he didn't seem too effected it was still quite sad to think that perhaps he had actually saw a lot of what was written.

I wish they would at least send Jöback on the tour, to try "young and sexy" there. Try something completely different for the brand new version, and rather keep a quality Phantom at HMT. But I have the feeling it's opposite, that JOJ joins the tour while London gets Jöback?

I didn't really mind Daisy Maywood all that much. She seemed more belty than I prefer, and her sweaty face during AOM was distracting (but that was because of extreme closeups rather than the actress). But she was a give-or-take, she didn't add anything and didn't ruin anything. One exception was that I really, really liked her reaction after she found Piangi dead. She looked like she went into shock, and I loved how she stumbled around stage in disbelief. But other than that, she was a bit "whatever". She'll definitely grow into the role when rehearsing it some more, though.

starryeyed wrote:
Poor Peter Joback, maybe he would be best to avoid online fan written reviews both from the concert and when he starts his stint as Phantom or he'll drive himself crazy. I got the feeling David Shannon was aware of his reputation when he was Phantom when I spoke to him once when he'd left and while he didn't seem too effected it was still quite sad to think that perhaps he had actually saw a lot of what was written.

He kind of reminded me of one of the Jonas brothers....Not a bad pop voice, and I could see him do Raoul, but the Phantom...? Maybe he'll grow in to the role. I wonder if he wasn't hired more for his looks to bring in a younger audience? I was listening to the radio earlier today and heard a few pop songs, all male singers, and they all had a similar voice to Joback. Seems his type of voice is 'in' right now, anyway.

On another note. that's the great thing about live theatre. There's always someone else ready to take on the role if one actor isn't a favorite. A new person may be better later on.

(or worse...lol)

starryeyed wrote:The second worst casting choice was Wynne Evans, is it true he cracked some notes on Saturday and that's why he did that really embarrassing on purpose note in Hannibal on Sunday? It fell really flat with the audience.

He annoyed me. I'm don't know if he cracked some notes on the Saturday, but the fluffed note thing on Sunday was hideous. Didn't someone check he could hit the notes before they cast him. It's not like he's a huge star. He's famous for being in the most annoying advert ever to hit British televison. When you (go) compare (sorry couldn't resist) him to other Piangis, like Rohan Tickell he falls very short.

I must say I was massively disappointed with Liz Robertson as well, and she was solid Phantom experience.

I was disappointed with her too, although she was better than she was in LND. Mme Giry is my favourite character in the show, and she wasn't as good as I wanted her to be. Although her diction was precise and there's something about the tone of her voice I like, I felt she spoke and sang far too quietly. Her voice was lost in Prima Donna. I forgot she was there after a while. It was sad so see someone like Heather Jackson, who brought so much to the role, play Mme Firmin, when she would have been amazing as Mme Giry.

Poor Peter Joback, maybe he would be best to avoid online fan written reviews both from the concert and when he starts his stint as Phantom or he'll drive himself crazy.

I felt bad for the guy, but I really didin't like him. I hope it's just nerves and he'll be a lot better when he actually comes to play the role. Will Scott Davies still be standby Phantom when he joins? I'd like to give Peter Joback a chance, but I have a feeling I'll be going when I know Scott's on.

Behind the scenes video of the 25th Anniversary posted at Broadwayworld.com

http://broadwayworld.com/article/STAGE-TUBE-Behind-the-Scenes-of-THE-PHANTOM-OF-THE-OPERAs-25th-Anniversary-Concert-20111004

Running commentary: It's kinda touching (if a little strange) that the installed a panel with 'MARIA' (presumably Bjornson) written into it as part of the Chandelier. Wait, ALW, you need a makeup touch up just to go in and give Sierra a hug? Nice ink, Ramin. After that, looks like a lot of handycam footage of the post-show cast and guest appearances, nothing (most of us) haven't already seen in better quality in the cinemas. Now some backstage footage of the cast/crew after leaving the stage, set to the OLC Final Lair starting at the Masquerade reprise. Hey wait, was that a cast member on crutches? Aaand, quick shot of the stage door with masses of people waiting to meet the stars.

Not particularly well set to music, but still worth a look.

~Madame~

Were there really shots of Cammie and ALW looking nervously at Peter? I feel awful for the guy, but did Cammie listen to him before he tried out? Or did he just cast the guy without knowing if he could sing the role?

Seriously, the world of Phantom seems to be embracing abusive Raoul. I don't see how abusive Raoul makes the Phantom any better.

Do you think they may, in time, install some of these changes into Her Majesty's?

This is the biggest amount of old school fandom that I know... please don't change.

ML6 wrote:Were there really shots of Cammie and ALW looking nervously at Peter? I feel awful for the guy, but did Cammie listen to him before he tried out? Or did he just cast the guy without knowing if he could sing the role?

I guess the "ALW looking worried when Jöback sang" is up to interpretation. But to me it definitely looked like he was puzzled. It was, I think, when Jöback sang his first lines in MOTN. ALW went from smiling to kinda stiff and clenching his hand. Might have been a random moment, but it didn't look good on the big screen, timing wise.

And yes, Mackintosh has definitely heard Jöback sing before. He is credited as the one "discovering" him (I.E. in England, not overall), and cast him in as Chris in "Miss Saigon", and one of the original supporting roles in "Witches of Eastwick". The thing with Jöback is that he can definitely sing, in fact he has a very good voice, but he needs certain roles to pull it off. Because he has a special timbre, and when attempting the songs of the Phantom, he sounded more like a cartoon figure than a musical star. That's the last thing I want for Phantom, especially in West End.

Wow, the programme cost £10 at the RAH and this seller put £149.88 as the buy it now price. Just because the members ticket comes with it or what? Insane!

Clicky!

That is absolutely ridiculous especially considering in the brochure itself it tells you how to get subsequent copies of the brochure if you wished to order another (or weren't there to buy one in the first place.) And is the ticket really that special?

starryeyed wrote:That is absolutely ridiculous especially considering in the brochure itself it tells you how to get subsequent copies of the brochure if you wished to order another (or weren't there to buy one in the first place.) And is the ticket really that special?

Do you have that info available to post? I'd love to get one of these brochures, but these auctions are ridiculous.

(Pretty please?... )

Woops, I may have jumped the gun, there's a page that at the very bottom says "For more copies of this brochure and to see the full range of Phantom 25th merchandise, visit the official Phantom shop online at www.thephantomoftheopera.com . " However, I've just went on and checked and it's only the big "sets" there at the moment.

Perhaps it will be available to order online there at some point over the next few days.

It may be worth trying emailing Dewynters though. They designed and printed this brochure as they do with them all and I know with "normal" brochures you can just request them from Dewynters themselves (as long as they are still in print I believe.)

The les Mis concert brochures appeared on the official website a few weeks after the concert, followed by Dress circle and then at the Queens where you can still buy them. I'd imagine it will be the same with the Phantom brochures. The ebay prices are ridiculous.

The New Tour is starting before JOJ leaves the West End.

I think Joback should definitely be given a chance, even with his voice. Remember, that Michael Crawford really didn't even have a powerful dark voice, and worked very hard to achieve what he did (ie the chest expansions, the specificity in his voice/body relationship). He was not a big singer, but his work as an actor elevated him beyond that.

MajesticPhantom wrote:The New Tour is starting before JOJ leaves the West End.

I think Joback should definitely be given a chance, even with his voice. Remember, that Michael Crawford really didn't even have a powerful dark voice, and worked very hard to achieve what he did (ie the chest expansions, the specificity in his voice/body relationship). He was not a big singer, but his work as an actor elevated him beyond that.

I agree with you. He should, in the end, be given a chance. How big or little that chance may be, he can certainly be entitled to a time trying on the mask. And yes, Crawford *did* work hard.

But this is how I see it, why showcase his voice last night if he still has a long way to go in terms of shaping it up to be what we're going to see in a couple months? That was a fault, I think, made by Cammie. I think that they should have not brought him out. I would rather see him after he has gone through the material and, I don't know, perfected his voice. I don't remember Crawford being thrust out onto a stage to sing some songs and his voice sounding like shit.

So, I do agree with you, but I think that it was a bit too soon to bring him out.

I agree with that!

I haven't been able to find any box office numbers for screenings in the US or elsewhere yet, but box office numbers in the UK were impressive!

Although Abduction, starring Taylor Lautner, earned the distinction of being the top new release with £901,000 including previews of £193,000, its thunder was well and truly stolen by the title nestling one place below it in the chart. The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Concert was a live event beamed into 255 cinemas on Sunday only, yielding a single-day gross of £551,000. Not only is that number more than double the next best result for Sunday (Tinker Tailor managed £248,000), but the one-off showing was enough to place Phantom third overall for the three-day period at the UK box-office. Comparisons are tricky, since what the industry calls "alternative content" is not usually included in the official box-office report, but it's certainly a record result for a live event.

- Source

Pretty cool that Phantom is #2 at the box-office, but let's not forget that ticket prices for the live broadcast were around double the price of a regular movie ticket, which leads to the illusion that attendance exceeded that of other films.

Still, very awesome that there was such a good turnout for the UK live screenings! I, too, would love to see some US Box Office numbers. Thanks for sharing, phantomgirl110!

~Madame~

I bet the box office numbers will be far better than those made in 2004. Which may go, as proof to show, Webber should have released the damn stage production on film.

The theater I was in was about half full (I'm in Austin, TX) There were 4 theaters showing it. I wonder how full the other theaters were...

This thing wasn't advertised very well here. I checked the newspaper every day (well I work there so I could check out the advertising before the paper went out) and nothing. Nada. Kinda surprising for a town that loves entertainment (music especially, but has tons of theaters movie and otherwise around here) Except for the movie section which listed this as the 'Fathom event.' We did have an article on our website, but it was kind of buried. I didn't expect much to be done, but I thought for sure there would have been a little blurb in our life and arts section about it on Saturday or Sunday.

I don't think it was advertised really well anywhere outside the UK. Norway newspapers had lots of ads for it, and one had a write-up about it on Monday. Canada's Winnipeg Press had a write-up about it a few days ago with a big picture of Ramin as the Phantom, but no advertising, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution had a write up about it a few weeks ago, with a couple of nice color pictures. I didn't see anything in the NYT nor the WSJ (but then again, our presses print a 'Texas edition' so there may have been some stuff local to NY that wasn't in our version.). Didn't see anything in the Los Angeles Times, either...

With as little advertising that was out about it, I was surprised to see how many people were in the theater. I'm going again tonight, and will be curious to see how big the crowd will be.

ML6 wrote:I bet the box office numbers will be far better than those made in 2004. Which may go, as proof to show, Webber should have released the damn stage production on film.

I cannot open the official POTO page, for some reason (I'm probably blacklisted...), but there seem to be some pretty impressive numbers already, judging by the headline (Phantom's 25th anniversary breaks cinema records) and URL name:

http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/news/latest-news/phantoms-25th-anniversary-breaks-cinema-records

So, apparently, Peter is getting some early training as the Phantom (as you can see from the following tweet):

http://twitter.com/#!/anthonyinglis/status/121493151209889793

ML6 wrote:So, apparently, Peter is getting some early training as the Phantom (as you can see from the following tweet):

http://twitter.com/#!/anthonyinglis/status/121493151209889793

Oh dear, that doesn't sound very nice for the poor fellow... Sounds to me like someone it trying to correct the casting mistake as soon as possible

ML6 wrote:So, apparently, Peter is getting some early training as the Phantom (as you can see from the following tweet):
http://twitter.com/#!/anthonyinglis/status/121493151209889793

Jöback wrote something similar earlier today in his official blog:

"Vilken vecka det blev i London - konserterna i RAH och mina första repetitioner för ¨ Phantom of the Opera ¨!"
(What a week it was in London - the concerts in RAH and my first rehearsals for "Phantom of the Opera"!)
(http://peterjoback.com/blogg_swedish.php)

Let's hope he's a new Michael Crawford. Personally I won't hold my breath, but I will be SO happy if I am proven wrong. The rehearsals might just be due to him being in town already, with all the musical directors and whatnot present? Like, just being a good opportunity?

operafantomet wrote:I cannot open the official POTO page, for some reason (I'm probably blacklisted...), but there seem to be some pretty impressive numbers already, judging by the headline (Phantom's 25th anniversary breaks cinema records) and URL name:

http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/news/latest-news/phantoms-25th-anniversary-breaks-cinema-records

The only thing in that article that wasn't in the previous one is that this was "the biggest daily result and biggest lifetime result of any alternative content cinema release ever in the UK."

ML6 wrote:I bet the box office numbers will be far better than those made in 2004. Which may go, as proof to show, Webber should have released the damn stage production on film.

I wll be very interested to see how those numbers compare. I'm sure the grand total made will not surpass that made by the 2004 film, but the film played for months rather than days. I was shocked (and pleased) to see how many people showed up for the live screening on Sunday. I fully expected to be the only person in the theatre, but there were probably 50 people there! I never heard about it except on POTO-related sites, so I have no idea how all these people knew. (My first thought was that they must all be people like us, but upon listening to some of the conversations around me I deduced that that was not the case. One person insisted that the first time he saw the show the chandelier didn't rise or fall but that he "liked it better when it did". Another said that the only one of the guest Phantoms at the end that he was absolutely sure he'd seen in the role like was Peter Jöback.)

operafantomet wrote:

ML6 wrote:So, apparently, Peter is getting some early training as the Phantom (as you can see from the following tweet):
http://twitter.com/#!/anthonyinglis/status/121493151209889793

Jöback wrote something similar earlier today in his official blog:

"Vilken vecka det blev i London - konserterna i RAH och mina första repetitioner för ¨ Phantom of the Opera ¨!"
(What a week it was in London - the concerts in RAH and my first rehearsals for "Phantom of the Opera"!)
(http://peterjoback.com/blogg_swedish.php)

Let's hope he's a new Michael Crawford. Personally I won't hold my breath, but I will be SO happy if I am proven wrong. The rehearsals might just be due to him being in town already, with all the musical directors and whatnot present? Like, just being a good opportunity?

Wouldn't that be the biggest tro-lol-lol if he surprises us all and becomes the second Crawford? Honestly, it'll be like the second coming of Christ if this guy can pull something off that is on that level of stardom. I watched him sing 'Why, God?' from Miss Saigon the other night, I felt like George Michael was singing onstage.

Miss von Krolock wrote:

ML6 wrote:So, apparently, Peter is getting some early training as the Phantom (as you can see from the following tweet):

http://twitter.com/#!/anthonyinglis/status/121493151209889793

Oh dear, that doesn't sound very nice for the poor fellow... Sounds to me like someone it trying to correct the casting mistake as soon as possible

Or maybe it is because he was in London anyway so he could do some rehearsing already and have something to work with at home?

Catching the bits and pieces that are showing up on the evil tube, I thought Earl Carpenter did a brilliant job as the Auctioneer and the overture sounded absolutely glorious!!