The London production 2

operafantomet wrote:

Scorp wrote:I think it's actually Cameron Mackintosh who's responsible for the designs, including the purple one. Could be wrong, though.

It is (or was?) UK Denwynter's, but I don't know if they're hired by Mackintosh or RUG. They also have a US office, which I think is responsible for the Broadway and Vegas production.

Starryeyed, you're still allowed to dislike this new design...! It just feels so good to get something to love again. There's been so much crap for "old skool fans" like myself.

Oh I know. I do still dislike it. I am just saying I get why you guys love it equally, I just think some of the pictures it detracts from the beauty of the actual pictures. I do like the Scott one though.

I like the cracked mirror effect because not only does it tie to the logo, but it adds some graininess to the pictures. I much prefer the older shots from early Broadway and London casts that were shot on real film rather than digitally, and especially the ones in black and white. They're classier and fit the period piece better than the ultra-saturated, ultra-clear shots we get these days.

SenorSwanky wrote:I like the cracked mirror effect because not only does it tie to the logo, but it adds some graininess to the pictures. I much prefer the older shots from early Broadway and London casts that were shot on real film rather than digitally, and especially the ones in black and white. They're classier and fit the period piece better than the ultra-saturated, ultra-clear shots we get these days.

I agree with this. It had a creepy atmosphere to it that almost seemed to be - to me - that time stopped and the world inside the theatre is that of the late 1800's.

Two more from the new London posters (shamelessly stolen on the internet):



I even like this "new mask" logo!

I like that too. Someone must've knocked some sense into whoever it is that makes the ultimate call. Can't really blame the graphic designers; they just do what they're told.

I *really* like this look! That mask logo reminds me of the Canadian mask.

operafantomet wrote:Two more from the new London posters (shamelessly stolen on the internet):



I even like this "new mask" logo!

This is so much nicer than the awful purple! Thank God they got rid of it. I love it, and yes, it's very reminiscent of the Toronto designs.

MajesticPhantom wrote:I *really* like this look! That mask logo reminds me of the Canadian mask.

I agree. It also reminds of the graphic seen in various promo videos (for example the end of the Hamburg clips posted some time ago, where a mask comes "flying down" at the end).

I think what I like about these new posters is that they reflect the Phantom history rather than pushing it in a new direction it doesn't seem quite comfortable with. The pink for the movie and the recent bluish purple at HMT comes to mind. It felt strange. The playing-around with the mask and the cracked look is, at least to me, more a continuation of what we've seen in the past, except it looks fresher and more up to date.

operafantomet wrote:

MajesticPhantom wrote:I *really* like this look! That mask logo reminds me of the Canadian mask.

I agree. It also reminds of the graphic seen in various promo videos (for example the end of the Hamburg clips posted some time ago, where a mask comes "flying down" at the end).

I think what I like about these new posters is that they reflect the Phantom history rather than pushing it in a new direction it doesn't seem quite comfortable with. The pink for the movie and the recent bluish purple at HMT comes to mind. It felt strange. The playing-around with the mask and the cracked look is, at least to me, more a continuation of what we've seen in the past, except it looks fresher and more up to date.

The poster for the filmthatshallnotbementioned was a disaster. Completely uninteresting from any kind of level and not even an appropriate colour scheme (unless the pink was supposed to cry out 'chick flick', which is essentially what the film became). I thought they would come up with an interesting take on the logo and remember my reaction of 'That's it???' when I first saw it. Even some of the rejected designs were better than what they chose.

I will have to saunter down to HM's at some point soon and take some piccies. Might go today before I go to the RFH where Julian Lloyd Webber will be playing Phantasia.

I'm glad JOJ is extending as i hav a few more months to see him.

Does it usually take 7 months for the pictures outside the theatre to change?!

ifonlyidont wrote:

Does it usually take 7 months for the pictures outside the theatre to change?!

No. It "only" took 5 months last year. I think years before that it has been a little quicker due to the cast all changing on the same day but when a new Phantom comes in later it delays the posters.

So it seems both John Owen Jones and Sofia Escobar has renewed their contracts for a year. Is it safe to assume they will be performing at the 25th anniversary celebration at HMT, then?

I hope so ^^ Though JOJ said he extended the contract only until March 2012.

operafantomet wrote:So it seems both John Owen Jones and Sofia Escobar has renewed their contracts for a year. Is it safe to assume they will be performing at the 25th anniversary celebration at HMT, then?

I guess so, unless something unexpected happens, like illness etc. I assume they'll have the HMT celebration on Saturday the 8th, given that the show doesn't play on a Sunday.

Can anyone tell me if the alternate days are still Mondays and Thursdays? Since Sofia's staying, I'd rather see Tabitha or Katy next time I go.

Helen wrote:Can anyone tell me if the alternate days are still Mondays and Thursdays? Since Sofia's staying, I'd rather see Tabitha or Katy next time I go.

Yup, still Mondays and Thursdays. Though Tabitha seems to be off a lot. I only ever hear of Katy performing in her place.

Tabitha should be on as usual on the alternate days now, she was off for a long time due to an injury she picked up.

Thanks for your reply. Although Katy was fantastic when I saw her, I'm more keen to see Tabitha. It's been a long time since I've seen her. The next question is, which Phantom should I aim to see? I've seen both Scott and JOJ and love both portrayals. I know Scott has a few weeks in August.

You know how I'd answer that question! I'll let someone a little less biased answer.

In other news, I'm absolutely gutted to say that Katy Treharne is leaving in September She has been there a good couple of years as understudy so I can see why she is leaving but she is just so talented. Ah well, hopefully she'll be principal in a few years!

starryeyed wrote:You know how I'd answer that question! I'll let someone a little less biased answer.

In other news, I'm absolutely gutted to say that Katy Treharne is leaving in September She has been there a good couple of years as understudy so I can see why she is leaving but she is just so talented. Ah well, hopefully she'll be principal in a few years!

She is? Aw, I've heard such wonderful things about her (Sadly, I haven't gotten the chance to see her yet, but...). Does anyone know if Tabitha will leave in September? Because I've heard that some ladies have been auditioning for Christine lately, and it's probably either for alternate or understudy...

I wish Katy were being promoted, because I'd have loved to have seen her... Heard so many wonderful things. But when an actor is ready to move on, they've got to!

I have this unrealistic wish that Rebecca Caine will be Carlotta from the next cast change. I think she'd be lush.

starryeyed wrote:You know how I'd answer that question! I'll let someone a little less biased answer.

In other news, I'm absolutely gutted to say that Katy Treharne is leaving in September She has been there a good couple of years as understudy so I can see why she is leaving but she is just so talented. Ah well, hopefully she'll be principal in a few years!

I do know, and I'm leaning in that direction to be honest! What are the chances of Scott staying beyond September? I'm gutted about Katy too. I wanted her to be principal next year. Sofia and Tabitha were understudies a couple of years ago, as was Robyn North, so maybe she will come back in a few years. Has she any confirmed Christine dates between now and September? Hopefully the other understudies that I like will be promoted. There's two that I particularly like, hopefully one or both of them will be promoted. Knowing my luck, they'll both leave.

Fancy a free ticket for Her Majesty's Theatre on May 2nd?

http://www.phantomoftheopera.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=13999&forum=9

Scott has said he is staying until they practically kick him out the door so I'd assume unless for some reason they want rid of him (god forbid) he will be staying on.

Katy has some confirmed dates in June that I posted a while back and have promptly forgotten I'm sorry to say! Whenever Sofia has her two week holiday Katy will do the Mondays and Thursdays and I believe she might have some in August too.

That's good news about Scott. I'll have a check back through this thread to find Katy's days. I like Tabitha too, so I wouldn't mind seeing her again.

I´ve seen Scott Davies long time ago. How is his Phantom now?

SweetChristine wrote:I´ve seen Scott Davies long time ago. How is his Phantom now?

I saw him back in September and he was great but I don't have much to compare him with

I was wondering if anyone has sat in the first few seats in row B in the grand circle at Her Majesty's? I am so tempted to go soon (even though it's only been 2 months!) but want to go for a cheaper ticket this time after being front row twice. If anyone's sat round about there could you tell me just how restricted the view is?

I probably shouldn't go soon though! As at least now I've got until March to see JOJ.

ifonlyidont wrote:
I was wondering if anyone has sat in the first few seats in row B in the grand circle at Her Majesty's? I am so tempted to go soon (even though it's only been 2 months!) but want to go for a cheaper ticket this time after being front row twice. If anyone's sat round about there could you tell me just how restricted the view is?

Well, the closest I sat to that was A11 in the grand circle, and it was a fabulous view, not restricted at all! Obviously not as cheap as the side seats of each row, but definitely a good value for money (40£).

For Londoners and regular visitors to London, some not-so-great news: http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/32129/exclusive-west-end-showbiz-shop-fights-to?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4dcbcb1548f0e347%2C0

I saw that on one of the other forums, if it goes under I will be devastated since that was my ONLY source for foreign language recordings.

ifonlyidont wrote:

SweetChristine wrote:I´ve seen Scott Davies long time ago. How is his Phantom now?

I saw him back in September and he was great but I don't have much to compare him with

I was wondering if anyone has sat in the first few seats in row B in the grand circle at Her Majesty's? I am so tempted to go soon (even though it's only been 2 months!) but want to go for a cheaper ticket this time after being front row twice. If anyone's sat round about there could you tell me just how restricted the view is?

I probably shouldn't go soon though! As at least now I've got until March to see JOJ.

Hey! I´ve been in exact same situation. seeing the london production from row B, C stalls, then I decided to book cheaper tickets for the front row upper circle. If you sit in the middle, the view really is unrestricted BUT you´ll have to lean over the metal bar all the time, otherwise you´ll miss some of the action on the stage. also, there´s no way you´ll be able to recognize facial expressions THAT far away... so It´s up to you. for my next time I´m booking front row dress circle. It is not cheap, but flying to London through three countries to get this experience and then being stuck in the seat which is not 100 percent perfect would piss me off more than couple more pounds to pay:)