Phantom World Tour

operafantomet wrote:1 Nov 2011 - 15 Jan 2012
Artscape Opera House, CAPE TOWN

26 Jan - 6 May 2012
Monte Casino, JOHANNESBURG

28 Aug - 23 Sept 2012
Manilla, PHILIPPINES

4 Dec 2012 - 4 March 2013
Seoul, SOUTH KOREA

In addition to this it seems the World Tour is also visiting China (Shanghai) and Thailand. The former was once mentioned on the site of one of the South African Christines. The latter comes from a tweet re-posted over at the POTO FB site. But the screencapped tweet is in Thai, so I can't really tell what it's saying... Just thought I should mention it here.

Apparently posters are already up in the Philippines, telling that Phantom is "coming soon".

operafantomet wrote:
In addition to this it seems the World Tour is also visiting China (Shanghai) and Thailand.

Oh, in Thailand? Hmm.. that's a good reason to visit that tourist trap at last.. *ponders*

TheFinnishPhantom wrote:

operafantomet wrote:
In addition to this it seems the World Tour is also visiting China (Shanghai) and Thailand.

Oh, in Thailand? Hmm.. that's a good reason to visit that tourist trap at last.. *ponders*

It's only a rumour so far. I mean, that re-posted tweet could be from anyone. But RUG is writing this:

The Phantom of the Opera will return to South Africa later in 2011. The South African production will play in Cape Town and Johannesburg before touring to several cities in Asia in 2012 and 2013.
http://www.reallyuseful.com/about-us/really-useful-company-asia-pacific/

By writing "several cities" I assume they mean more than Manila and Seoul, which has already leaked. The Seoul stop is listed until March, while Magdalene Minnaar lists her engagement with the World Tour until July 2013. So at least one more stop, be it Bangkok or Shanghai, seems likely.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Christine Daae
Nov 2011 - July 2013
South African & World Tour
The Really Useful Group
http://www.magdaleneminnaar.com/Magdalene_Minnaar/ROLES.html

Speaking of which... I found a photo of that Manila banner at the Cultural Center:

Saw this on the official FB page from a few days ago, but decided to share here.

A great interview of Jonathan Roxsmouth, talking about how he got the role and his approach to it:
http://www.cheektochic.co.za/food/item/80-jonathan-roxsmouth-superstar

The first Phantom ever, Michael Crawford, heads the pantheon above the dressing table lights, with Australia's Andrew Warlow to his right.

It takes a gruelling hour-and-an half for this good looking young man's nightly metamorphosis into the tragically deformed character who has obsessed him since boyhood.

Click on the link above for the full interview.

Pretty impressive that he's only 25, too.

~Madame~

Terribly written article, but cool that he has pics of MC and ANTHONY Warlow in his dressing room to inspire him.

Posters are officially up in Manila, Philippines, and ticket sale starts May 1, 2012:

http://jamelein.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/the-phantom-of-the-opera-manila-in-august-2012/

The stopover in The Philippines is a part of the World Tour. As I've written previously, Brad Little is by all account the Phantom. Magdalene Minnaar is signed up to join the WT after South Africa, but I don't know if she will be main Christine, alternate Christine (as a previous SA Christine was), or understudy.

After The Philippines they head for South Korea. They had a Korean production in 2002, and got a visit from the World Tour in 2006. They had a new Korean production in 2010, and now two years later they will get a new visit from the WT. Four productions in 10 years. Phantom must do very well there!

operafantomet wrote:Posters are officially up in Manila, Philippines, and ticket sale starts May 1, 2012:

http://jamelein.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/the-phantom-of-the-opera-manila-in-august-2012/

The stopover in The Philippines is a part of the World Tour. As I've written previously, Brad Little is by all account the Phantom.

I can't confirm it since I haven't seen him specifically say so anywhere, but I seriously doubt this is true anymore since Brad is currently appearing in Evita on Broadway. I'd be surprised if he left the show so soon after it opened.

phantomgirl110 wrote:

operafantomet wrote:Posters are officially up in Manila, Philippines, and ticket sale starts May 1, 2012:

http://jamelein.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/the-phantom-of-the-opera-manila-in-august-2012/

The stopover in The Philippines is a part of the World Tour. As I've written previously, Brad Little is by all account the Phantom.

I can't confirm it since I haven't seen him specifically say so anywhere, but I seriously doubt this is true anymore since Brad is currently appearing in Evita on Broadway. I'd be surprised if he left the show so soon after it opened.

You might be right, I'm only going by what Lea Salonga wrote in September, when she performed with him:

"I never saw Brad perform, but he’ll be playing the Phantom when “Phantom of the Opera” comes to the Philippines." http://entertainment.inquirer.net/15491/‘ultimate-broadway’-in-shanghai

But that is not to say he had signed any contracts at that point.

"Phantom" in the Philippines! YAY!!!

R.

André Schwartz updates his Facebook:

Breaking News: I am on as the Phantom tonight and tomorrow night in Johannesburg. There are still tickets, so those who want to (see him, my note) better jump on it!

If I've understood it correctly, the Johannesburg leg of the South African/World Tour production has extended yet again, until June 3rd. Good to know if you're in the neighborhood.

I'm in the neighbourhood and saw it last Friday, it was pretty cool! I especially liked Jonathan Roxmouth as Phantom, Robin Botha was on as Christine and she was cute, although she sounded a little too mature for Christine (if that makes sense) and also she hurried through a lot of her lines as if she had a bus to catch. So far I've only seen the show in London and I didn't miss the Wandering Child trio bit at all, it had always seemed to me as though Raoul took way too long to figure out that this guy was hitting on his fiancee. Other than that, I don't think there are any major differences (only that tickets are really cheap!).

Hilde wrote:I'm in the neighbourhood and saw it last Friday, it was pretty cool! I especially liked Jonathan Roxmouth as Phantom, Robin Botha was on as Christine and she was cute, although she sounded a little too mature for Christine (if that makes sense) and also she hurried through a lot of her lines as if she had a bus to catch. So far I've only seen the show in London and I didn't miss the Wandering Child trio bit at all, it had always seemed to me as though Raoul took way too long to figure out that this guy was hitting on his fiancee. Other than that, I don't think there are any major differences (only that tickets are really cheap!).

Aaaaaaw, our first actual member review from South Africa! Thank you so much. Who did you see as Carlotta?

Ad with some very brief clips of the South Africa production.

I don't remember this behind-the-scenes video being posted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE2jouOS80Q

I don't know if this is a general comment on how the World Tour cast has been in the past, or specific about the new Asian stops... But Tim McFarlane, Managing Director of RUG Asia-Pacific recently said this:

“Our stellar cast assembles the industry’s best performers, coming from the UK, USA, Australia and South Africa to join forces. The Phantom of the Opera has enjoyed huge success throughout the Asia-Pacific region, having experienced sold-out seasons in Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai and Seoul, and I am confident that audiences in Manila will welcome the production with equal enthusiasm.”

http://chuvaness.com/7517/theater/the-phantom-of-the-opera-haunts-manila-in-august/

In the mean time, the Manlia leg of the tour has gotten their own Facebook site. If they are heading for anything remotely similar to what the South African page did, it'll be interesting to follow them:
https://www.facebook.com/POTOmanila

Have they announced casting? Looks like at least Roxmouth is continuing, right?

Pieter Toerien, South Africa's king of theatre and Phantom producer, shared this message today:

Dear Phantom fans, cast and crew

The show is packed up and steadily making its way to Manila, Hong Kong and Korea where our South African production of Phantom of the Opera will be entertaining audiences for the next 18 months. Whether you were a member of the audience, a part of the cast or crew you were part of the magic and success of our production - for that we thank you. We wish the touring cast and crew the best of luck for the next part of The Phantom journey.

Start looking forward to our next production of The Phantom of the Opera - South Africa 2020…

Regards
Pieter Toerien

(FROM HERE: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Phantom-of-the-Opera-South-Africa/209472882399300 )

If he's not joking, it seems they've already planned a return for Phantom to South Africa. In 2020!! Whoa, that is planning ahead. HOPEFULLY this means the World Tour will keep touring, first in The Philippines, Hong Kong and South Korea, and then very likely Australia. But anyhow, how incredibly cool to make that announcement already now. It means I can start saving...

SenorSwanky wrote:Have they announced casting? Looks like at least Roxmouth is continuing, right?

At least half of the South African cast will keep touring, including their Phantom Jonathan Roxmouth, their Christine Magdalene Minnaar, plus their Raoul, Carlotta and a couple others. But I don't think Roxmouth and Minnaar will be the principal Phantom and Christine; rather alternates and/or understudies. Usually they feature American or Australian leads for the World Tour.

Lea Salonga did say in an interview last year that Brad Little was to play the Phantom in at least The Philippines. He's doing Evita on Broadway right now, but his contract might have been signed so he can leave this autumn to join Phantom. He's understudying Peron in Evita, but being principal Phantom might both pay better and be more fun?

I have had such fun reading through the posts in this thread, and many others, especially as there are people around the world talking about our South African version of Phantom of the Opera! Now, don't get me wrong, I was not involved in the production by any means but I become fiercely loyal to anything South African.

I have seen the South African show twice - once in Cape Town whilst visiting two friends who were in the production (and made me get goosebumps just because I battled to connect their normal, every day selves to the absolute majesty that surrounded them on stage!) and again in Johannesburg... I still have not had my fill of the Phantom and am honestly considering going to visit those same friends when they are in Asia next year!

One thing that I am most grateful for is getting a unique opportunity to see both casts take to the stage and I certainly have my favourites! Jonathan Roxmouth (hailing from Durban - my hometown!) knocked my socks off as the Phantom - his vocal range and control over some of those notes honestly made me feel as if his voice was enveloping my soul! It was heartwrenching and beautiful and insane and wonderful all at the same time... I loved both Christine's but Robin had the right acted qualities as a gentle woman finding herself caught up in a lustful back-and-forth, Magdalene had the right vocal quality and portrayed the innocent confusion and sweet nature well in her songs.

Having never been a huge, die-hard PhantomFan (as many of you are) but having grown up singing the songs at choir and watching the broadway special clips at Lloyd-Webber's birthday celebrations and loving the Hollywood movies transposition of a stage script into a film, I knew a little bit about the show. I have also studied my Honours in Drama and make theatre as often as I can (on a small scale, obviously as sadly most "theatre" is not funded well in SA), and so I have a good knowledge of the tricks and technical aspects of design in theatre. What I was not prepared for, however, was feeling like I was 10 years old once more and finding every tiny detail in the show to be like magic. The entire experience was surreal: the Phantom's voice echoing through the theatre, sounding as if he was pacing right behind you; those few chords, that have become synonymous with The Phantom of the Opera, playing as the chandelier is lifted and the old theatre restored to its former glory; the all South African cast (who certainly did experience much hardship getting to the official opening night) taking centre-stage and singing, dancing and acting the Broadway outta that place; the stolen moments between Raoul and Christine, the jealousy, pity and lusty tension you are made to feel for Roxmouth's Phantom, the Managers' hilariousness and Carlotta and Piangi as two of the most entertaining characters ever - there is just too much to go on about.

If any of you are able to take the opportunity to get to any one of the stops on the Asia Tour and get to see even a few of the South Africans who have become my favourite by transforming into some of the most beloved characters on stage - DO IT! You will not regret it!

South African pride is certainly something which makes me waffle a little bit Thank you, or as they say in Zulu and Afrikaans: Siyabonga, Dankie!

LadyLollen wrote:I have had such fun reading through the posts in this thread, and many others, especially as there are people around the world talking about our South African version of Phantom of the Opera! Now, don't get me wrong, I was not involved in the production by any means but I become fiercely loyal to anything South African.

I have seen the South African show twice - once in Cape Town whilst visiting two friends who were in the production (and made me get goosebumps just because I battled to connect their normal, every day selves to the absolute majesty that surrounded them on stage!) and again in Johannesburg...

I know THAT feeling....! Trying to stay cool while wanting to touch everything and squee of excitement. Hahaha!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the cast. Did you get to see André Schwartz in Cape Town, or was it after he bowed out? Cool to hear about the differences between Robin Botha and Magdalene Minnaar.

Also, I know Roxmouth and Minnaar is staying with the World Tour. I assume they're to be alternates or understudies for the lead roles. Do you know anything about that?

If I'm completely honest I don't think that Andre was ever truly up for the role... He started having vocal complications very early on and I think the panic subsided when people finally heard Jonathan take to the stage even as the official "understudy" because PHWOAR that set of lungs is something I have never ever experienced before! Andre is an extremely humble man to step down as he did, but I also KNOW Pieter Toerien values his theatre enough that he would never have had a Phantom that could not cope vocally take to the stage - especially given that this was such a golden opportunity to showcase what South Africans can do!

I don't know about the World Tour but as far as I can recall every time SA has partnered with Asia, they have toured with their original roles with a few minor changes based on people doing other productions back home! I sincerely hope that they give Jonathan his time onstage again because the furthering of new artists is so important to this industry - and never more so than in South Africa where theatre often takes a back-seat! He has certainly made a name for himself and an article by one of our SA theatre critics has already stated Broadway may snap him up, as has happened to many of our brighter lights before. My first comment to the friends from the show after we watched in CT was that Jonathan brings a completely new (and completely spot on) dimension to the Phantom - it's something that previous Phantoms (and indeed the Hollywood version) got wrong in my opinion... he is terrible in his love but he is also simply a man in lust, and that sexual nature is something that Roxmouth played perfectly - not over the top, but subtly, and very sensually... especially in his Angel of Music sequence!

If you are all able to see the SA Phantom and Christine (either!) you will understand the need for me to have spouted my love for their production in my previous post - I truly hope this opportunity is afforded to all of them! Something just feels right with them onstage, surrounded by such a dedicated ensemble... it makes you feel like they've been doing this since Phantom began! A remarkable achievement for quite a young cast!

The promotion for the Manila production pisses me off big time. They keep going on about the movie, even though it wasn't a success (surely it's damaging to the franchise? Although I suppose it did better in the Far East...), and keep using false information (e.g. that the Leroux novel was out of print until ALW, the knight in shining armour, rode in and saved the day). Instead of bothering to correct any of this misinformation, they just side with the fans who call anyone who points these mistakes out "haters". Would it hurt to get facts checked for once? Wouldn't surprise me if they then start plugging LND as much as they can.

Scorp wrote:The promotion for the Manila production pisses me off big time. They keep going on about the movie, even though it wasn't a success (surely it's damaging to the franchise? Although I suppose it did better in the Far East...), and keep using false information (e.g. that the Leroux novel was out of print until ALW, the knight in shining armour, rode in and saved the day). Instead of bothering to correct any of this misinformation, they just side with the fans who call anyone who points these mistakes out "haters". Would it hurt to get facts checked for once? Wouldn't surprise me if they then start plugging LND as much as they can.

Yeah, what a wormhole that became over night. I think the trick is to give positive feedback to good content actually related to the Manila stop/World Tour, and just ignore the rest. Because some page owners have this twisted idea of lots of response = great for the site. No matter what the content is. So I ignore all the lame movie and LND updates, and most of the erroneous ones, and give positive feedback to stage stuff I actually like.

The "Leroux's novel was a big fiasco" update was something I just had to comment on, though.

LadyLollen wrote:If I'm completely honest I don't think that Andre was ever truly up for the role... He started having vocal complications very early on and I think the panic subsided when people finally heard Jonathan take to the stage even as the official "understudy" because PHWOAR that set of lungs is something I have never ever experienced before! Andre is an extremely humble man to step down as he did, but I also KNOW Pieter Toerien values his theatre enough that he would never have had a Phantom that could not cope vocally take to the stage - especially given that this was such a golden opportunity to showcase what South Africans can do!

Yeah, South African really set a new standard in their musical theatre industry with the 2011/12 South African production of Phantom. Kinda sad for the 2004 production to go so unnoticed, as there were some big talents there too, but as far as I've understood there were little chemistry between the leads back then.

Since you speak Afrikaans... Are there any online articles about the production which has slipped our radar?

hahaha, I shall do a thorough search a little later - the translations on Google are horrendous so I will do my best for you if I find any! Watch this space

Everything I read about Jonathan Roxmouth makes me like him more and more. Here's some comments from a recent interview, where it's indicated he is the Phantom for the Manila stop:

"Hammerstein had this quote, he said, “For a musical to be perfect, the orchestration should match the costumes.” And in this production, I certainly think that the audience isn’t just hearing something phenomenal, they’re seeing it as well."

"What did you base your version of the Phantom on? I read the book. It’s very, very clear."

"As a tenor, Piangi (Thabiso Masemene) has some of the hardest verses in the show. You wouldn’t think it because he makes it sound so easy and we hate him." ( )

"Why should people in Manila watch “Phantom”? I think you just answered your own question. Because it’s “Phantom.” There is nothing and there will never be anything like “Phantom” ever again. It stands alone and I think it defined a generation of musical theater."

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/56149/unmasking-the-phantom




In another website he tells that "I was originally cast as the alternate (Phantom) last year but have been the full time Phantom since November. I am indeed the Phantom for the entire Manila run. See you there..."
http://www.phantomtours.com/poto-manila.html

So the Phantom for the Manila stop is Jonathan Roxmouth, and Madame Giry is Rebecca Spencer. I think Pauline du Plessis will b Carlotta. Very curious on who the Christine and Raoul is! It's to be announced one of the coming days.

Well this was bound to happen sooner or later:

“Approaching Christine for this run, I feel I have the advantage of wisdom,” Lyon said. “Because I was in her shoes in ‘Love Never Dies,’ I know what sort of person she would be evolving into—and so I’m not going in totally blind here, so to speak.”

http://entertainment.inquirer.net/55226/manila-staging-of-phantom-may-have-more-passionate-love-says-lead-actress

Nevertheless, I'm excited that Phantom is finally playing in the Philippines

R.

Ugh. Also annoying is the whole playing up of the fact Lyon and Roxmouth are the same age, as if that's supposed to be the case between the actual characters. I like what I've heard and seen of Roxmouth's Phantom, though, and he doesn't come across as young as he is. He's younger than me, which is crazy.

Silverdrgnbane (aka Phantomofthesalle) shared this link with me, which is an article that features a list of the top ten reasons to watch Phantom in the Philippines.

http://www.spot.ph/entertainment/51757/10-reasons-to-watch-phantom-in-manila-2

They lose points at #1, but they redeem themselves at least partially with #5 and some of the others.

Seems like the production is getting a good boost of ticket sales from the get go, so that's promising.

~Madame~