The London production 2

Scott Davies has announced he's doing both the matinée and the evening performance tomorrow. As the Phantom, but you probably knew that...

Katy's remaining dates as Christine are :
Thursday 16th June
Monday 27th June
Thursday 30th June
Monday 4th July
Thursday 7th July
Monday 18th July
Thursday 21st July
Wednesday 24th August.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOHW2uUpJCI

This is a live recording of Peter Joback - he has a decent voice, but I really can't place this alongside the Phantom?

Any thoughts?

JW89 wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOHW2uUpJCI

This is a live recording of Peter Joback - he has a decent voice, but I really can't place this alongside the Phantom?

Any thoughts?

Operafantomet...I now get what you were telling me about him in Oslo... :-/

By the way, I only just noticed today that the new 25th anniversary posters outside HM's have also been complemented by new hanging signs. Which means no more purple! Thank God that didn't last long. I still miss the black originals, though...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfmtLQ9cT7o

Here is another clip with Peter Jöback, singing a Swedish folksång called "Ack Värmeland du sköna".

Phantomlove wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfmtLQ9cT7o

Here is another clip with Peter Jöback, singing a Swedish folksång called "Ack Värmeland du sköna".

I can see what people mean when they say he seems more of a Raoul.

For anyone in London, I decided to pop into Dress Circle for a final visit in case it does actually close (is it going to now?). The stock they have there is actually all rubbish, so unless they are deliberately getting rid of everything, then I can't see how it would do well with what I saw. Anyway, the point was to tell you that the old version of the double OLC CD (the one that was on sale before the remastered edition came out) is on sale for £8.99. I can't imagine anyone here not owning the OLC, but in case someone doesn't, it's a good price.

I just found this recent interview with JOJ and learnt something I never knew before -- he auditioned against JOHN BARROWMAN for the role of the Phantom!!

John Barrowman? Seriously? I saw him long ago as Raoul but even trying to picture him as the Phantom makes my brain explode.

I wonder how Barrowman's ego took it.

http://www.lastminutetheatretickets.com/blog/index.php/5122/interview-with-john-owen-jones-the-phantom-of-the-opera/

Wow, surprised they didn't go with the name for once.

SenorSwanky wrote:Wow, surprised they didn't go with the name for once.

Phantom seldom has - until recent years, anyway.

operafantomet wrote:

SenorSwanky wrote:Wow, surprised they didn't go with the name for once.

Phantom seldom has - until recent years, anyway.

Right, Phantom usually hasn't, but seems like CamMac at least would jump at the opportunity to have Barrowman in the role, considering the stunt casting in Les Mis of late. ALW also offered Donnie Osmond (groan) an open invitation to play the Phantom.

hello:) I have a question for all Londoners out there. I´m coming to see the show in September so I booked the tickets for 2 shows through Seetickets. I wanted to make sure to get really good seats and not to be stuck somewhere in the back of the theatre. Now I´m thinking about booking the tickets for another performance but paying full price for stalls seats is just too much:( how are the chances that POTO tickets will be available for Saturday evening /matinee in TKTS booths? Also, do you think It is smarter to buy 4 tickets at once or is it better to ask for 2 plus 2? many thanks!!

p.s. sorry for poor grammar. foreigner writing:)

mona lisa wrote:Also, do you think It is smarter to buy 4 tickets at once or is it better to ask for 2 plus 2? many thanks!!

Usually 2+2 will be easier, as that seems to be how bulks of tickets are re-sold. It will at least give you a better selection of seats.

As for booking in advance or buying the same day, I don't know. I usually travel alone to see Phantom, and then I buy a ticket some hours before the show. Always a single ticket available, but as for double I don't have a clue. Hopefully someone else will have a piece of advice.

Re above, September is supposed to be the slow period in general for London theatre so you may well find Phantom on TKTS. That said, the show is still popular and Saturdays can be busy, but if you check whether the Saturday before the one you're thinking of is selling at TKTS (via here: http://www.tkts.co.uk/whats-on-sale/ ), if it is then obviously you're likely to have a chance.

Earlfan and I are going to go check out JOJ and Katy Treharne in Action on Monday 18th. Anyone fancy joining us?

Scorp wrote:Earlfan and I are going to go check out JOJ and Katy Treharne in Action on Monday 18th. Anyone fancy joining us?

Want and will is two very different things. I would have loved to join you!

The official POTO site has a collection of posters for the London production, as they've looked the last 25 years:
http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/the-show/show-history

I like the original one, and love the ones from 2002, 2006, 2008 and 2011. The naked back of Katie Knight Adams is also interesting, though the poster wants way too much. Can't stand the purple ones, except the 2009 christmas version. Pink and purple just ain't Phantom to me.

Design wise, I think the silver ones from 2008 is the classiest one. Was very happy to see it being used for all the Argentine promo material. But I also dig the current 25th anniversary version.

thanks, operafantomet and scorp

So no updates on cast changes from any of our friends close to the action? I haven't been over since February. We already know that the two leads are staying - and we know about a few departures (and Killian Donnelly), but any other news? Should we assume that Snook and James are staying in their roles? (They'll soon be like George Lee Andrews and David Cryer on Broadway if they do!)

auctioneer wrote:(They'll soon be like George Lee Andrews and David Cryer on Broadway if they do!)

They've got a looooong way to go to reach that longevity (though I guess Cryer's only been on Broadway for about five years, even after playing the role on tour for another 12 or 13).

auctioneer wrote:So no updates on cast changes from any of our friends close to the action? I haven't been over since February. We already know that the two leads are staying - and we know about a few departures (and Killian Donnelly), but any other news? Should we assume that Snook and James are staying in their roles? (They'll soon be like George Lee Andrews and David Cryer on Broadway if they do!)

Yes, Snook and James are staying, so is Wendy Ferguson.

I saw the matinee today, was hoping to see JOJ but sadly he's off. To be fair, I'd rather see a healthy understudy rather than an under the weather JOJ, so I was happy to see Scott as the Phantom. I was very impressed by him - until the Final Lair. Now, Scott plays the Phantom as a more unhinged, volatile character than JOJ whose Phantom is much 'smoother' and controlled, but that does not mean that he has to lurch around the stage. He was obviously giving his all and the passion for the part was evident - but it didn't move me, at all. In fact, by the end I was more perplexed than emotionally engaged by his interpretation. Perhaps it is because I feel that the Final Lair should be a deconstruction of the myth around the Phantom - a process which has been going on through the entire show - into the pitiful, albeit socially inept human being who merely desires to be loved. This should be very moving - but I just felt more alienated from Scott's Phantom as the scene went on. His delivery of the lines 'you try my patience', at which he was crouched, leering at Tabitha, elicited some chuckles from someone around me - I have to admit, I found it odd as I felt he overplayed it - complete with dramatic pauses and growls of frustration (Ramin did the latter as well, which didn't really endear me to his Phantom). Such a shame as the rest of the show was very good indeed! His MOTN was very impressive, very powerful vocally and I loved the edge to his Phantom (which I feel JOJ sometimes lacks, as he is almost too conventional). Also, the natural placement of his voice is slightly lower than JOJ which makes the low notes sound *gorgeous*, and the operatic twist he has the role is very appropriate.

Otherwise the show was really good: had a record of six understudies (including Scott, Tabitha as Christine, John Jack on as Andre, Kate Batter as Mme Giry, Marc Vastenavondt as Piangi and Liesl Dowsett as Meg). Technically it was flawless as well, which is a rarity!

I was pleased to see that the house was completely packed out. Admittedly I was slightly unnerved by the hordes of kids and teenagers in the audience who were quite boisterous pre-show - but they settled down very well and were gripped by it. It's lovely to hear comments/reactions from people who evidently haven't seen the show before, such as mutterings of 'how did they do that?' in the title song (with the doubles moving from the trapdoor stage right to the bridge above), gasps at the Phantom's appearance on the angel, uttering 'wow' at the reveal of the Masquerade staircase and even screams at the gunshot before Don Juan. It was, perhaps, the most enthusiastic and vocal audience I've had the pleasure to be in, and the partial standing ovation was deserved, I thought.

Loved reading your review! And you are right about the packed houses, Phantom is selling out right through the summer apparently

I always love hearing reactions of those who haven't seen it before too, I heard a lot of people doing the same Tuesday 12th (matinee) and it is always great to hear people witnessing it all for the first time. There was a lot of school groups and groups of teenagers at the matinee I saw and strangely I didn't notice them until after the show (I was front row) so they were well behaved. However, one group cottoned onto what the stage door was and were very boisterous shall we say!

ETA: The audience I was in clapped at such great moments: After All I Ask of You, Wandering Child and JOJ's final line which I really liked.

Also, I don't know what went on with the Buquet dummy when I was there but that thing came down FAST and was jerking about doubling up on itself for about 15 seconds.

That's good news - I remember the house being about 85%/90% full on a Saturday matinee in July last year which puzzled me! Sounds like your audience was even more enthusiastic than mine. I had a good view of the rows of kids in front of me as I was in the middle of the Grand Circle - I really dislike sitting in the front row as it's just too close to appreciate the show for me. However, you do get the feeling that the actors are playing just to your row which is amazing.

Just a few more observations I'd like to add: Scott did a lovely response to the kiss. He was at first completely shocked, arms splayed out, and then brought them together tentatively around Tabitha's waist before gently embracing her, leaning into the kiss. When she broke it off, he was leaning forward, still in shock, and yet needing her embrace, and gently touched her lips and then his own, before starting to sob - it was as if, in that moment, he realised what he had to do. A lovely lovely response, I just wished he hadn't overplayed the rest. I do appreciate it when the Phantom cries out in anguish when he releases Raoul. Yet Will Barratt said 'Christine, Christine no' throughout the kiss which detracted from it, I thought (though a response from Raoul is perfectly valid).

A quick note about Tabitha too - she's a sweet Christine, looks gorgeous in that light brown wig. Her voice is quite light and 'breathy' (I'm not a singer so don't know the correct terminology), so her vibrato can seem a bit forced/heavy at times. But one aspect of her acting was different - she gasped after the 'soar' in MOTN. Is this a new piece of blocking? Sofia definitely didn't do it in May. If so, I'm not sure what I think about it as it means Christine's responses to the Phantom in MOTN have become even more overtly sexual. Hmm. Oh well.

Lycanthrope wrote:But one aspect of her acting was different - she gasped after the 'soar' in MOTN. Is this a new piece of blocking? Sofia definitely didn't do it in May. If so, I'm not sure what I think about it as it means Christine's responses to the Phantom in MOTN have become even more overtly sexual. Hmm. Oh well.

Must be something she inherited from Gina Beck, as she definitely did it, almost a bit over the top (I say that as someone loving her Christine, I just didn't like the thing she had going in MOTN).

Thank you for a nice mini review, cool to hear your thoughts about the various cast members and energy. And that must definitely be an understudy record!

operafantomet wrote:

Lycanthrope wrote:But one aspect of her acting was different - she gasped after the 'soar' in MOTN. Is this a new piece of blocking? Sofia definitely didn't do it in May. If so, I'm not sure what I think about it as it means Christine's responses to the Phantom in MOTN have become even more overtly sexual. Hmm. Oh well.

Must be something she inherited from Gina Beck, as she definitely did it, almost a bit over the top (I say that as someone loving her Christine, I just didn't like the thing she had going in MOTN).

Thank you for a nice mini review, cool to hear your thoughts about the various cast members and energy. And that must definitely be an understudy record!

I don't remember Gina doing an audible gasp as Tabitha did, nor have I seen Sofia do it. It was a little distracting, though Scott had a slightly nervous, surprised reaction to it which was lovely.

I have been thinking of why I didn't take to Scott's Phantom, so apologies if I bore with more details, but I think for me the problem is his acting is 'more is more' as opposed to 'less is more', if you get what I mean. Yes, during Down Once More he should be furious but not physically shaking the pole around, it was just too much. Plus his physicality - constantly curling and uncurling his fingers, noticeably limping after Christine left, the strange panting/heavy breathing he does when the Phantom is particularly distressed - just didn't do anything for me. Of course Phantom is a melodrama so I'm not anticipating naturalism as with Chekhov, but I wish he didn't overplay the quieter moments, as I think a little more subtlety there would be wonderful (JOJ screams a lot, but I think he plays the quiet, devastating moments beautifully). That being said I really did appreciate the energy and enthusiasm he brought to the stage.

A random staging note - does anyone know how the cross is attached to the travelator? During Seal My Fate it was still visible and it *looked* like the cross separated from the main steps leading up to it - I might have been imagining this though. Also, does the Phantom stand in profile wihlst hiding in it? Part of Scott's cloak was visible throughout the WYWSHA which was amusing.

I believe the cross and steps are seperate, it was a very long time ago that I saw it so I am not 100% sure, but being seperate would be easier to load on to the travelator.

Yes they usually are in sort of sideways, what I loved recently in NYC with Hugh is when he came out, he didnt come right out so the vines were flowing around him, quite creepy and beautiful at the same time.

Now it's been announced I thought I'd post that Will Barratt is going on to do Sweeney Todd in Chichester which will hopefully (the producers are aiming for it) transfer to the West End early next year.

There is an interview with Tabitha Webb over at Last Minute Ticket. A part of the interview is about Phantom. Her thoughts about the love Christine feels for the Phantom and for Raoul is interesting (not sure I totally agree about the Raoul part, though):
http://www.lastminutetheatretickets.com/blog/index.php/6977/interview-with-tabitha-webb-christine-in-the-phantom-of-the-opera/

I also discovered she update her web site with dates on when she's on as Christine:
http://www.tabithawebb.com/

I hope Sweeney Todd does transfer to the West End, I'd love to see it.

I don't suppose anyone knows what Oliver Eyre (1st cover Raoul) is doing after cast change? And does anyone know if the Christine alternate days are changing because the matinee day is changing?

ifonlyidont wrote:And does anyone know if the Christine alternate days are changing because the matinee day is changing?

Yes, the alternate Christine will do Mondays and Fridays instead if I remember correctly.

Miss von Krolock wrote:

ifonlyidont wrote:And does anyone know if the Christine alternate days are changing because the matinee day is changing?

Yes, the alternate Christine will do Mondays and Fridays instead if I remember correctly.

Cool, thanks

Rohan (Piangi) left the London production this evening to move on to Rock of Ages! Sad to see such a fab Piangi leave.