James Barbour talks The Final Lair in The Phantom Of The Opera

James Barbour revelas behind the scenes info about The Final Lair in the Broadway production of The Phantom Of The Opera and how the Phantom is yearning for love and acceptance.

[@jeffunger3950]

I Love watching your videos explaining your interpretation and experiences with Phantom! The first show I ever saw was Phantom with you as the title role and you were absolutely amazing!!! Im a baritone currently playing the phantom and I often watch videos of your portrayal because I love the passion and “ Baritone Power” that your voice has. I hope one day ill get to see you play the Phantom again!

[@MrBarnardoo98]

Hey James! Thank you sooooo much for this wonderful video! I had the wonderful privilege of being the first Puerto Rican Phantom ever to do the entire show here in Puerto Rico. So yeah I truly know how it feels to do this incredible final scene! I would totally break down emotionally when I had to sing “Christine I love you” and then she hands me the ring back. Damn! It was an emotional roller coaster but enormously rewarding in every sense as an actor/singer. I also saw you as the phantom, you were just plain spectacular and I love your powerful baritone voice! I prefer baritone phantoms more than the normal tenor phantoms! And i'm a baritone myself too!

[@paulamusik2509]

Now I'm very emotional :´-( It must be so satisfying for an actor to play this scene. It's also my favorite scene in the musical. It's so relieving to see how the phantom realizes, that what he has done was wrong and also to see him receiving love and compassion for the first time in his live. I think what really changed him was, that Christine didn't saw him as a monster, but as a human being and tried to understand him. Something not many people in his life tried to do. It's really character development at it's finest. I love your videos! It is so interesting to hear your interpretations and in general thoughts on your roles! It's really helpful, especially for young actors/singers like me :-) (I know this has nothing to do with phantom of the opera, but I just wanted to say: I discovered you because of a tale of two cities. I absolutely fell in love with the cast recording (one of my favorites of all time) and bought the DVD of the concert (Quite difficult to get if you live in Germany, but it was worth the search) and your performance as Sydney was one of the most incredible performances I've ever seen! You really touched me deeply with it and I just wanted to thank you for that. I wish more people would know this show. It's so beautiful.)

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Paula Musik Thank you very much for your kind words!

[@ruisenor8993]

@@JamesBarbourNow I'm a new subscriber here, just in love with your work. I'm currently in A Tale of Two Cities at Hale Center Theatre in Utah and I went and watched the videos from when you were Sydney and I'm speechless. Also, The Phantom of the Opera is my dream musical and Christine is my dream role. Thank you so much for these videos, they just warm my heart.

[@BIGKountry4455]

Loved your interpretation of the timeless and eternal character that is the Phantom. Your Baritone vocals are powerful and gentle in a beautiful way. Being a Baritone as well, you give me hope that maybe I could have the honor of playing the part! That would make my life! Thanks for the video and blessings to you and yours sir 👍🏻

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Thank you!!

[@carliephillips8117]

James Barbour I was wondering if you ever seen Love never dies.? And if u did what do think of it can u tape the answer to the question I asked thank you Carlie ❤️

[@amandacarlsen5756]

I’ve seen Phantom so many times but you’re the only one who gave me goosebumps. You are a gift.

[@EuphoriasDom]

What an amazing video! Seeing the character from your perspective it takes us to another level! I love love it. Thank you. Keep them coming!!

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Sandra Mora thank you Sandra!

[@aries9929]

I never cry about anything, and seeing you in this scene made me cry my eyes out. Thank you so much for putting your heart and soul into this role for so long and interpreting it in the way that you did, it was so truly beautiful and saddening at the same time that I just cried. And that was my first time seeing phantom, so thank you, I truly loved it (it’s been a year and I’m still not over it haha)

[@christinewells-leddon9287]

Thank you for the wonderful explanation of your particular take on this iconic scene. I also have watched many of your videos (and those of many other Phantoms), and I think you take on this is "spot on." I hope I will get to see the show live some day, and I hope it will be you behind the mask.

[@ARMY_for_10_years]

I've never gotten the amazing opportunity to see Phantom on the stage, but I stumbled across this video and love hearing you talk about your interpretation of the role. Makes me want to see it on stage even more now.

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Erica Beumel thanks! If you ever get the opportunity to see the show live, you should. It’s quite an experience.

[@cassieblanchette9754]

Amazing video. A true testament to the fact that showing love especially when it’s not necessarily deserved can truly change a person. Christine’s kiss is such a powerful moment. It’s definitely the type of character I aspire to be. To always seek the good in people and to show love even when treated badly. I don’t think there’s really any other way to live. The scene means a great deal to me. Thanks for taking the time to do this. ❤️

[@johnmoss1444]

It is like you once said when you were behind the scenes of Phantom, what makes it a universal story is that he loses his sense of humanity but then finds it through Christine. That pretty much describes this whole scene.

[@geminilife3014]

Was blessed to see you and Ali perform PoTO in 2017 and both your performances hit my soul to the core. Hopefully you can reprise the role

[@JamesBarbourNow]

gemini life Thank you so much!

[@bawoman]

That scene is something else. So beautiful. When you realize how much he loved her (truly loved her, not the toxic possessiveness of how he had acted before, but true, deep, earth shattering love that came out of her simply showing him love and compassion) that he sacrificed what could have been a salvation from a lifetime of abuse and solitude and loneliness so she could be happy. He was left with nothing, again, crying, as she left on HIS boat with another man, but as heartbreaking moment as that moment is, it is when the audience gets to see the true beauty of The Phantom's soul, and how powerful love can be.

[@clairemendoza8082]

Been watching clips of you as Rochester in the Jane Eyre musical! The score is absolutely beautiful!! Your powerful baritone vocals are incredible!! You are an awesome phantom as well!! I am sad that the Jane Eyre musical didn’t receive more recognition. I think it should be more recognized today! Your voice is wonderful James!! 🙏🙏 And you’re an incredible man. I’m not a singer or a performer but I have so much respect for performers like you because it’s not easy to sing and roles you have tackled on broadway haven’t exactly been easy roles. Keep up the amazing work! 🙏

[@andresbarragan4915]

I saw you on broadway back in 2015 and was absolutely blown away. I'm loving these videos, keep them coming!

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Thank you so much! More videos are on the way!

[@carolinajusta3922]

MY FAVORITE PART!! ❤️

[@ingridka.8406]

Hello!! I LOVE The Phantom Of The Opera and I was soooo excited when some people from my little country (I'm from the Czech Republic) decided to show this magnificent piece in my country as well. I fell in love with it and sometimes I just can't stop listening to the beutiful melodies and songs. I know that the performance must be very very difficult for the actors and singers and I'm so happy when I hear people like you to talk about it with humility and love and passion. My dream is to see this show on Broadway. Your vocal technique is brilliant ofcourse. I believe it can be a bit challenging fot baritones especially the high notes... However you and for example Norm Lewis are perfect and it looks like it's actually easy for you! And that's the point :) Have a nice day and keep singing ofcourse! :)

[@marylougold8333]

Thank you. This makes things so clear.

[@Ginn87]

Then LND comes along and says " forget that shit, Christine was just being a tease!"

[@matthewharrison2971]

James thank you so much for putting up these videos. I love watching your phantom videos on here as well as your beast videos I think you’re a terrific actor and your portrayal of the phantom is outstanding, I cry every time I listen to your final lair. Wish I could’ve seen you in both of those shows but unfortunately I live in Texas. My questions are, do you think the show would have as big an impact on people if Christine had chosen the phantom? How does the chair illusion in the final lair work? Is there any chance you’ll return to the role of the phantom?

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Thanks so much for your comments and questions. 1. Not sure how the audience would respond. That's a great question. Maybe we should pose that to everyone out there and see what the response is. Love Never Dies certainly addresses part of that. 2. Unfortunately that is the one question about the show that we are not permitted to reveal. So...I can't disclose how the chair illusion works. :) 3. Phantom is a wonderful place and cast member come back all the time. Ya never know what the future will bring.

[@HaussOfSharon]

From what I heard... The chair slides back and there are two curtains within the chair; one is pulled down to cover the torso, and one goes over the legs.. The mask is hidden within the chair and the Phantom places it on his covered lap. So he’s still in the chair... From what I heard ;)

[@johnmoss1444]

Well one thing that I will at least say about both you and Gerard Butler in the final lair scenes is that at least you were more passive aggressive and didn’t scream at Christine too much like many other phantoms. Norm Lewis, Brad Little, and John Owen Jones and some others that I can’t name right now just really let out the aggression to the point where it gives really nothing for Christine to consider about them whereas you and Gerard were obviously still nasty to her but kept it all inside to show that you still have a soft loving side too. Yeah I can just say now I can kinda relate to how the Phantom felt because just like him I liked a girl before and when I saw that she didn’t want to be won by me I sometimes lost my temper over that too In a way that just wouldn’t endear her. Btw I didn’t tell you this last time I wrote to you on your music of the night talk vid, but I actually saw you on broadway. I was with my dad and my dad and I were actually right under the chandelier that you dropped. It was like our umbrella that is how under it we were lol.

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Thanks. I actually never saw the film version of Phantom but yes, I my personal choice was to show the pain and emotional turmoil that the Phantom was feeling in the final lair. I think of it like a pressure cooker building up the pressure of years of emotion within him which dissipated when Christine kissed him.

[@pamelaisley1820]

I was really surprised when you followed me on Twitter the other day. Thanks, dude!!!

[@julietajazming]

OMG THANKS

[@JamesBarbourNow]

You're welcome!

[@julietajazming]

James Barbour Best phantom ever😋

[@larainesmith4090]

That makes sense. :)

[@larainesmith4090]

Thanks!

[@larainesmith4090]

Thanks!

[@teamfocus4826]

Great video! I took my brother to see phantom back in January for his Christmas gift because I had seen you 3 other times in it and was always blown away by your voice and acting and although the play was great I hadn’t known that you had finished playing the roll so it was a disappointment. Do you think you will ever play the part again or ever sing it again in a show because we would love to see it?

[@rachelr.8179]

💚💚💚💚💚

[@leadingblind1629]

Hi James!!! This story gets me every single time, whatever the incarnation! But I do have a question about Dracula... I was just wondering if you had a particular idea of Dracula's motivation for ultimately attacking and changing Lucy? Because without The Invitation song that gives many ways to reinterpret the final attack (Takarazuka did so awesome during that) ... So yeah... everything that happened to Mina and Johnathan made sense in the musical makes sense. But Lucy just doesn't. Except maybe his first drink.

[@matthewharrison2971]

Which make up between the beast and the phantom was the most uncomfortable to wear? Which took the longest to apply? Did any mishaps occur during your three year run in phantom? As the phantom what song is your favorite to sing and what is your favorite moment in the show and why?

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Matthew Harrison Check out this video I just posted about the makeup. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3KrdoVsncR3Z9U

[@leadingblind1629]

You're so awesome

[@matthewharrison2971]

How does the Punjab lasso work on Raoul in the final lair?

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Matthew Harrison It simply hangs from above. No real trick to it.

[@blissinchains]

Do you think that Christine was torn when she came back to return the ring? The 25th anniversary recording was the sole instance I believe where Christine looked pained and uncertain at that point, but I figured it'd be interesting to hear your take on her feelings at the time. By the way, I've seen videos of your work with the show and wish I'd been able to get down to NYC to see it live! Wonderful.

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Interesting question. I think that would be up to the actress playing Christine but given what we know of the sequel "Love Never Dies" I do think the Christine is truly torn when she returns the ring (certainly the Phantom would hope so).

[@debrabyrd2544]

I always thought in the 25th anniversary she had a look not like she was torn but one of worry like " are you gonna be ok if I go"

[@haileygillen3]

Your all I have ever wanted James. I just wish I could talk to you in person and just tell you how I feel because you have opened so many doors for me ever since I saw you on Broadway. Have loved you and always will love you. Thanks.

[@julietajazming]

wich is me most uncomfortable part of playing phantom? is there any?

[@JamesBarbourNow]

Uncomfortable? Sitting in the makeup chair for an hour before every show. 👍

[@julietajazming]

James Barbour do you have like super toned half face because of the heavy makeup? I also spend one hour doing my makeup, call me Erik

[@TheWorstWitch720]

I would go with the Phantom to save Roul. Love is love and that isn’t going to stop anything. I love the Phantom but that’s not a good way to get a lady XD