The London production 2

Operafantomet- No, you are right. No one denied him taking new photos... everyone is just pointing out that they were photoshopped. It's obvious that Sofia's body is different from the previous photo... it very well could actually be her body, but for some reason they use the same head from the JOJ photo... And I just realize that JOJ's photo lacks the ring!

And while it might seem "arbitrary" to some, I think debating the use of photoshop (which I strongly do not believe in) is viable. Truthfulness if FAR more interesting.

MajesticPhantom wrote: And I just realize that JOJ's photo lacks the ring!

For once, that's not a Photoshopping error. He wears it on his right hand:

Aha! Thank you.

A fan of Peter Jöback tells why the newly published photos are not photoshopped:

Sofia Escobar is an extremely good actress, so same/similar poses photographed from similar angles are often possible. As for the angel, models vary. Its just logical.

That is quite funny. I mean yes she could be very good at the same pose but to get the shadows on her face and neck identical is pretty unlikely. It doesn't make sense though why they'd change her head when it was a new photo, unless they thought her expression looked better on the old pic or maybe Sofia was off on the photo shoot day so someone else did the pose then they put sophias head in? It's just very strange that they don't just use the whole new pictures, because it would be more expensive for them to do all the photoshopping than just printing the actual photos.

operafantomet wrote:
I also think Jöback is unnaturally large compared to the golden angel. It would tip over from his weight, wouldn't it? That, plus the angle looks identical to the golden angel appearing in the photo of David Shannon:

Wow.... it's Jobackzilla!

Hmmm. I do find the texture of his Angel cape interesting though. In the US, at least as far as I've seen from pics and youtube clips, the Angel cape is very sheer and lacks texture, patterning, or decoration. Here, Jobackzilla's cape seems to have some type of ornamentation embossed into the fabric, and even some decorative appliques. Of course, it may be I just didn't notice this before - but in David Shannon's, and I think Ramin Karimloo's Angel, photos - they're wearing their standard Boat Scene fancy beaded cape, so I don't have a point of comparison. The one in Joback's picture doesn't look remotely like the Boat Scene cape though - very 'crushed' and shiny fabric. Hmm.

~Madame~

Madame Giry wrote:

operafantomet wrote:
I also think Jöback is unnaturally large compared to the golden angel. It would tip over from his weight, wouldn't it? That, plus the angle looks identical to the golden angel appearing in the photo of David Shannon:
https://2img.net/h/i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu101/potocostumes/1potouploads2/photoshoppedangel.png

Wow.... it's Jobackzilla!

Hmmm. I do find the texture of his Angel cape interesting though. In the US, at least as far as I've seen from pics and youtube clips, the Angel cape is very sheer and lacks texture, patterning, or decoration. Here, Jobackzilla's cape seems to have some type of ornamentation embossed into the fabric, and even some decorative appliques. Of course, it may be I just didn't notice this before - but in David Shannon's, and I think Ramin Karimloo's Angel, photos - they're wearing their standard Boat Scene fancy beaded cape, so I don't have a point of comparison. The one in Joback's picture doesn't look remotely like the Boat Scene cape though - very 'crushed' and shiny fabric. Hmm.

~Madame~

I think it's the same cape but I notice it was different when we saw him the other week. I didn't take too much notice of how different, but I did think it was more patterned than normal.

According to Peter Jöback's official FB, he's currently on holiday in Stockholm...? It's not an announced holiday on his website. Speculating wildly, I assume he's off to get some vocal rest, or to promote his upcoming musical tour. I might be wrong.

So people will probably see Scott Davies tonight and possibly tomorrow?

operafantomet wrote:According to Peter Jöback's official FB, he's currently on holiday in Stockholm...? It's not an announced holiday on his website. Speculating wildly, I assume he's off to get some vocal rest, or to promote his upcoming musical tour. I might be wrong.

So people will probably see Scott Davies tonight and possibly tomorrow?

Great and I am not in London

operafantomet wrote:According to Peter Jöback's official FB, he's currently on holiday in Stockholm...? It's not an announced holiday on his website. Speculating wildly, I assume he's off to get some vocal rest, or to promote his upcoming musical tour. I might be wrong.

So people will probably see Scott Davies tonight and possibly tomorrow?

Yeah I was surprised that he was on holiday until Thursday yet the dates haven't been mentioned anywhere. I think you may be right about him being off to rest his voice, I'm not sure weather it's because of the the throat infection the other week or the throat infection and other absences is due to it being too much for his voice?
Changing the subject slightly, get in to london theatre has got offers on again for west end shows/plays from 21st June until 9th semptember. I think pretty much all shows are on there including phantom at really good discounts. I've already booked for phantom, the prices are £65,£50,£41 reduced to £40,£30,£30. So a pretty good saving although it's a bit strange that the £50 and £41 tickets are both reduced to £30.
Here's the link
http://www.getintolondontheatre.co.uk/home/

I just think the photoshop arguement is so nonsensical, there is NO WAY POSSIBLE that you can have christine strile a pose and have the shadoe of her nexc fall EXACTLY the same place on her chest

I saw Phantom last week. Fantastic performance. Understudy madness, with Katy Treharne on for Christine, and also understudies for Carlotta, Madame Giry, Meg and Andre. I loved Peter Joback in Final Lair, but overall, I couldn't really make up my mind about him. It was lovely to see Katy Treharne again as Christine. She's a gorgeous Christine, probably my favourite. Carmen Vass played Carlotta and I was very impressed. She's the second cover. It's been ages since I've seen anyone other than Wendy Ferguson play Carlotta. I love Wendy's Carlotta, but it was nice to see someone different. Carmen was very charming, cute and funny and had incredible stage presence and an amazing voice. She was just a really excellent Carlotta. I don't know the name of the actress who played Mme Giry, but I enjoyed her portrayal very much. Nice authoritive presence and a strong, clear singing and speaking voice. Everyone else was good. Many thanks to all involved.

Oooh, interesting alternate/understudy bonanza there! Katy Treharne is at the top of my list of Christines I want to see live. She has a beautiful voice, and people always seem to love her portrayal.

I love it when I go and see the show and get to see the understudies. I actually prefer Katy and Nadim to Sofia and Killian. I like Wendy Ferguson as Carlotta but I'm sad to say that at this point she doesn't really bring anything new into the role and I would love to see someone else as Carlotta. After what you said Helen, I would love to see Carmen Vass in the role.

EarlFan wrote:I love it when I go and see the show and get to see the understudies. I actually prefer Katy and Nadim to Sofia and Killian. I like Wendy Ferguson as Carlotta but I'm sad to say that at this point she doesn't really bring anything new into the role and I would love to see someone else as Carlotta. After what you said Helen, I would love to see Carmen Vass in the role.

I love that too.... not everywhere but often.

EarlFan wrote:I love it when I go and see the show and get to see the understudies. I actually prefer Katy and Nadim to Sofia and Killian. I like Wendy Ferguson as Carlotta but I'm sad to say that at this point she doesn't really bring anything new into the role and I would love to see someone else as Carlotta. After what you said Helen, I would love to see Carmen Vass in the role.

I'd love to see Katy and Nadim together. I wasn't crazy about Killian's Raoul, which surprised me, as I thought he was amazing in Les Mis. About this time last year, I felt that way about Wendy Ferguson as Carlotta, but the last few times I've seen her, she's been amazing. I think I prefer Carmen Vass, though. I think Carmen would also make a good Christine.

Katy Treharne is at the top of my list of Christines I want to see live. She has a beautiful voice, and people always seem to love her portrayal.

I'd definately recommend seeing her if you get the chance. I've been lucky enough to see her a few times now, and she gets better each time.

Looks like the new Souvenir brochure is out now. Can't wait to see it.

London-Phan wrote:Looks like the new Souvenir brochure is out now. Can't wait to see it.

The brochure is definitely out. Some pics are already circulating on the internet!

Great news! Glad Peter is def getting one, wonder if it's on the RUG site yet, or just at HM theatre as of now?

Any word yet on possible cast changes this September? I'm specifically sort of wondering if Sofia Escobar will be staying on after her second contract with the role?

According to Peter Jöback's Facebook he's off sick again and will not do today's shows. A bit worrying, I can't help but wonder how his voice is coping with playing The Phantom 8 times a week. He was off sick just a while ago as well and he also had a few days holiday. From reading the comments on his Facebook and website a lot of people obviously get disappointed when they don't get to see him in the show due to his absence. Maybe he's off because of a cold or something this time but who knows...

EarlFan wrote:According to Peter Jöback's Facebook he's off sick again and will not do today's shows. A bit worrying, I can't help but wonder how his voice is coping with playing The Phantom 8 times a week. He was off sick just a while ago as well and he also had a few days holiday. From reading the comments on his Facebook and website a lot of people obviously get disappointed when they don't get to see him in the show due to his absence. Maybe he's off because of a cold or something this time but who knows...

I think he, for everyone's sake, should have a Phantom alternate for the rest of his run. I agree that the level of off-days he's had so far is a bit worrying. It is of course impossible to say what it's due to, when no official comment is made, but I can't help thinking he's pushing himself too hard. Either mentally or vocal wise, or both. Having Scott Davies as alternate, with two fixed performance dates a week, would give Jöback's fans an idea of when he's NOT on, and it would also give Jöback some rest. I get the feeling he need it.

Speaking of Peter Jöback, there was a short, but incredibly honest interview with him in the Norwegian paper Aftenposten today. The interview is not in their online edition, at least not yet, but he explained why the role of the Phantom appealed so much to him. Challenging childhood, parent dying when he was young, alcohol issues, you name it. I always feel an immense respect for people exposing their darkest and most vulnerable sides without making a big fuzz out of it. I'll try and get a hold of a copy (just briefly read it at work) if it doesn't appear online.

operafantomet wrote:
I think he, for everyone's sake, should have a Phantom alternate for the rest of his run. I agree that the level of off-days he's had so far is a bit worrying. It is of course impossible to say what it's due to, when no official comment is made, but I can't help thinking he's pushing himself too hard. Either mentally or vocal wise, or both. Having Scott Davies as alternate, with two fixed performance dates a week, would give Jöback's fans an idea of when he's NOT on, and it would also give Jöback some rest. I get the feeling he need it.

Agreed. Despite being onstage for a comparatively short period of time, the role isn't exactly a cakewalk. Perhaps Jöback hasn't built up the physical or mental endurance to handle it quite yet.

R.

I, too, was wondering and concerned about all of Peter's absences from the role. While I do hope that he's alright physically and mentally, I'm more interested with how his show contract is structured. I would imagine, but of course I don't know for sure, that he's allowed a maximum number of absences and/or he's required to do a minimum number of performances in order to fulfill his contract and continue to get paid. I'm not trying to say that he's taking time off without good reason. I am saying that I hope he doesn't inadvertently lose sight of his obligations to the company.

~Madame~

Yes the Phantoms role is not easy. Hope he´ll get well soon.

I am in June in London and will see Phantom again (Ghost, Sweeny Todd and West End Live for the first time)! Yeah!

So Peter Jöback is off sick, and Robyn North is on as emergency cover...
What's going on at Her Majesty's Theatre?

https://twitter.com/#!/robynnorthpiper

operafantomet wrote:So Peter Jöback is off sick, and Robyn North is on as emergency cover...
What's going on at Her Majesty's Theatre?

https://twitter.com/#!/robynnorthpiper

How does they choose who will be emergency cover?

SweetChristine wrote:

operafantomet wrote:So Peter Jöback is off sick, and Robyn North is on as emergency cover...
What's going on at Her Majesty's Theatre?

https://twitter.com/#!/robynnorthpiper

How does they choose who will be emergency cover?

Whoever has done it before and is available at short notice. Gina Beck has also been emergency cover. I believe Tim Morgan is still emergency cover Phantom after all these years I saw him in Mary Poppins one night and the night after he was on as Phantom

I don't believe for minute Peter Jöback will fulfill his contract, he had to try so very hard when we saw him there is no way any performer could keep that up. I'll give him 2 months.

HerMajesty wrote:

SweetChristine wrote:

operafantomet wrote:So Peter Jöback is off sick, and Robyn North is on as emergency cover...
What's going on at Her Majesty's Theatre?

https://twitter.com/#!/robynnorthpiper

How does they choose who will be emergency cover?

Whoever has done it before and is available at short notice. Gina Beck has also been emergency cover. I believe Tim Morgan is still emergency cover Phantom after all these years I saw him in Mary Poppins one night and the night after he was on as Phantom

I don't believe for minute Peter Jöback will fulfill his contract, he had to try so very hard when we saw him there is no way any performer could keep that up. I'll give him 2 months.

It´s great that the actors are emergency cover. In every production that they played before or only there?
Everyone from the Phantom production could be asked if I he or she can? It´s interesting that they play it again.

SweetChristine wrote:

HerMajesty wrote:

SweetChristine wrote:

operafantomet wrote:So Peter Jöback is off sick, and Robyn North is on as emergency cover...
What's going on at Her Majesty's Theatre?

https://twitter.com/#!/robynnorthpiper

How does they choose who will be emergency cover?

Whoever has done it before and is available at short notice. Gina Beck has also been emergency cover. I believe Tim Morgan is still emergency cover Phantom after all these years I saw him in Mary Poppins one night and the night after he was on as Phantom

I don't believe for minute Peter Jöback will fulfill his contract, he had to try so very hard when we saw him there is no way any performer could keep that up. I'll give him 2 months.

It´s great that the actors are emergency cover. In every production that they played before or only there?
Everyone from the Phantom production could be asked if I he or she can? It´s interesting that they play it again.

Well, not everyone, but someone who is reliable, decentish and in town at the time.

For example, JOJ will have been emergency cover whilst in Les Mis.