John Owen-Jones - Final Lair

[@qixingtong8256]

How can JOJ scream like that and still keep his voice so perfect?

[@daodaoliu130]

童起行 附议！JOJ的嗓子真的惊到我了

[@legomaker9613]

I'm assuming years of practice.

[@Whitleychic]

He can do no wrong.

[@mattg177]

It is not good for your singing voice to scream like that. If you listen to John sing now you can tell where it definitely took it's toll.

[@mattg177]

John totally blew the high note here unlike his earlier Studio recording. @H0LY PhAnToM kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3ulp6Vud9SEqqM

[@shakeurbooTAY]

This is arguably the most soul-crushing final lair scene I've seen.

[@thefonzkiss]

_arguably_

[@larii126]

That's the only version that truly made me cry in the "Christine, I love you" part. God, I'm heartbroken now...

[@McGirlie1]

Raoul at 6:30 literally ruined the whole scene for me. I was on the verge of tears and then I saw him and busted out laughing.

[@buffyperry1335]

Lol

[@EthalaRide]

true! But I had already started laughing at 1:59 when Phantom chokeslammed that ragdoll manikin

[@hellofriends2649]

OML I JUST NOTICED THAT

[@TheLiz3041]

I was just about to say something about that!! That threw me off when I noticed that.

[@dawnsoso214]

They are all awful.

[@holly9096]

6:30 Never before have I connected so emotionally and spiritually with Raoul's character.

[@BbChielin]

LMFAO

[@rickardnyberg4899]

I have NEVER heard someone who has ever played Phantom sing "You alone can make my song take flight, it's over now the music of the night" with such power :) Wow. John Owen Jones is the best Phantom since the days of Michael Crawford.

[@theadae2494]

Rickard Nyberg I totally agree. He's unbelievable :))

[@amybaker4654]

Rickard Nyberg Even Crawford pales in comparison to this performance.I saw Crawford during his run in London and i think the reason that he is remembered is because this show was one of his few straight roles as opposed to his comedies. I think audiences were stunned to see his emotional outpourings.He created the Phantom in this production but other men have refined it.John owns this now.

[@jaqueesl1938]

Rickard Nyberg um Ramin?

[@joe19392]

Jaquees L I think I'm the only person who didn't like Ramin.

[@HaussOfSharon]

I take Ben Lewis over them any day of the week (except Sunday, then the Phantom has his day off)

[@theadae2494]

HOLY CRAP how did he not ruin his voice after 7:19-7:36?!!! That's even crazier than Ramin!!

[@kittyflarekatarina]

Théa Dae IKRRRRRRRRRR When I heard Ramin scream that time as the Phantom, I got really scared. I watched the musical live at that time btw, his screeching was really scary

[@marvelgirl68]

It's called the art of acting :^3

[@thatperformer3879]

Théa Dae you're supposed to scream from your diaphragm in theatre, that's why

[@kittyflarekatarina]

Thatperformer387 yea that's the supposed aim but if you're actually listening to the vid properly you'll hear that the Phantom is very obviously using a lot of throat to scream. That's why it's amazing how they can still pull it off to use that much throat but not have a sore throat or smt

[@juliadietrich3584]

Haven't gotten there yet... how is that possible?!

[@AbbyLPSProductions1]

When Christine kissed Phantom and he was hesitant for a moment like "what the hell is she doing" that did it for me. I completely love this performance of final lair great job JOJ 👏🏻

[@BrianBisetti]

Abby Idstein Not just the kiss, but the hug! He perfectly conveys that being held by another human being was what he needed all along. Beautiful moment.

[@foggernaut8213]

That SARCASTIC bow "THIS IS INDEED AN UNPARALEL DELIGHT" Had me dead. Then the manniquin. 😂

[@patriciaharman8325]

I have watched many Phantoms and John Owen Johns is by far "the best" to me. He seems to become as one with the Phantom. He is brilliant. His voice is so beautiful. He brings me into his song.

[@clairetm63]

I started tearing up as soon as he said "GO NOW AND LEAVE ME", but as soon as Christine started avoiding his face just to not see his crying, I started to release a few tears. And when he said "you alone can make my song take flight", I lost it.

[@sunbeamsami]

If I saw a Phantom with John Owen Jones's voice, Hugh Panaro's acting, and the look of Ramin Karimloo ... I'd cry. JOJ is the best Phantom, but he was my first so I'm biased.

[@vancebocas7626]

It's funny, I am biased towards Colm Wilkinson, he was my first Phantom. :D

[@Whitleychic]

John Owen Jones and Ramin Karimloo are my favorites!!!

[@alejandraortega7704]

I KNOW!!,ME TOO

[@kaceydonnelly]

Lauryn Brianna same!

[@theatrekidwithinternetacce704]

My dream phantom

[@CassieeScmassiee]

JOJ will hands down always be my favorite Phantom. He puts his heart and soul into in 150% and I tear up every time I see one of his performances of the final lair scene.

[@autumnpeirson6976]

Wow, I never seen any phantom give so much power and so much anger in his performance.

[@JulietteVeronica1201]

6:30 When you give up on life

[@n.a9170]

My dear John Owen Jones. I was star struck and tongue tied when I met you a few years back and now I remember why.

[@PhantomifyEponine]

John Owen-Jones never cease to amaze me. His portrayal of Phantom is one of the BEST. You can FEEL his acting (does that sound right?) He's a good Valjean too :)

[@Abs0luteFreak]

wow this was amazing! He looks almost intoxicated when he breaks off the second kiss. Wonderful acting. And the scream at the end, wow! I'm speechless!

[@pattigood9087]

JOJ just takes my breath away. The way he emotes, not only in his singing and acting, but his facial expressions are so mesmerizing. You feel his pain and sorrow and not just on the surface; but in the depths of his soul. He's marvelous.

[@AH-qu4yh]

JOj is unbelievable - I‘m obsessed and in love with his voice ❤️❤️❤️ and yes, I cried 🥺🥺🥺

[@williamevans9426]

John Owen-Jones was a fantastic Phantom; acting and vocal technique superb.

[@phangirl1986]

Oh, JOJ, you are absolutely perfect in this role.

[@crazzzygirl5177]

I love how the audience claps whenever the phantom throws the Christine doll to the ground

[@rhapsody710]

OMG ... the way he kisses her hand after the "Christine, I love you" bit. hehe, that does it. ;-)

[@sdsures]

Amazing how well the facial expressions are captured in this video. Thanks for uploading!

[@gwendolynn1119]

I think that the way he moves his arms when they are kissing makes it look so...i don't know how to say it but i cried so much when that happened

[@madam-mint]

Gwendolyn Navarrete it's like he can't even believe that it's really happening, that she's really kissing him. Agh, it's painful.

[@gwendolynn1119]

Rach Frisella ikr

[@diekje8728]

His eyes too! I replayed to look at his eyes!

[@marylh914]

Here I am almost 9 years from my first live performance of JOJ´s Phantom at Her Majesty´s Theater, and I am still pining to see him do this live again. When I watch comparison compilations of JOJ, Ramin Karimloo, Gerard Butler, Ben Lewis, and several others, JOJ always takes my breath away. He has all of the power of the others, but is a master of control of his instrument, and far more evocative and seductive. And Lord knows this is a story of seduction. Through his consummate acting he carries this character to an untouchable higher level that seems unreachable by anyone else. I still adore all of the others, and I actually praise Gerard Butler as Phantom. But, JOL is real, masculine, gritty at times, and he totally, deliciously reels one in with the absolute and masterful control of his voice. My Mom sang opera as a soprano under Toscanini at Carnegie Hall and around NYC, and she taught me a lot about purity and control, so I thank you Glass Prism for posting this on You Tube. While this is musical theater and not opera, the world has no doubt enjoyed it just as much, and the West End is the place to enjoy it at it´s best.

[@gigaorion3425]

Absolutely by far the best Final Lair scene I've ever watched.

[@anitaadcock4068]

My daughter and grand daughter were spell bound with his performance ....And that’s enough for me! He’s the best OG!

[@Abby-km6vr]

I love the part where Christine kisses the Phantom- not because I want them to be together- but because I think it’s a big turning point in the character of the Phantom. He finally realizes just how much Christine loves Raoul: that she would sacrifice herself for him. Her selflessness makes the Phantom realize how harsh he has been.

[@daniellashah7995]

I think he realizes that she is not disgusted by him or his looks but what he has done . And that made the phantom change his perspective completely.

[@stephenjerrome9605]

I saw JOJ on the touring production in the UK a few years ago and his passion for the role was breathtaking. I love how he mocks Roul as he’s sat in the chair and also how he gets more and more frustrated as he realises he cannot win. I went to Her Majesty’s Theatres to see it and as amazing as the whole show was the Phantom (Ben Forster) just couldn’t deliver the emotion that JOJ did.

[@Merthurmad]

I was privileged to see the wonderful John Owen Jones as the Phantom live on stage last year, and I I don't think there was one dry eye in the house after his performance of the final lair scene. He will always be my favourite musical Phantom.

[@Whitleychic]

Oh my gosh I'm SO jealous! I achieved one of my musical theater viewing dreams and got to see Alfie Boe play Jean Valjean. My other dream(s) is to see JOJ in this role and in the role of Jean Valjean, and see Ramin in this role.

[@Merthurmad]

Lauryn Brianna Funnily enough I did not know he was playing the part that night, only found out when I read the program :)

[@Merthurmad]

Who knows maybe you will get your dream, they may invite him back to play the Phantom one day (I personally hope so)

[@amyclarke41]

i find Christine mostly girly granted she js 19 elpaba main star of wicked is i reckon 16 seems more mature than her and be better 4 erik than christine sadly wrong show !😣

[@lubosnyari5536]

oooh my he let me cry so much.how beautiful is this masterpiece .big applause to all

[@alfiemarie]

why is he being the most amazing phantom of all time? no fail makes me cry each time

[@KaylaM13]

this is the most perfect one ive ever seen. brb crying.

[@amiefortman7220]

Good God, this has to be the best version of this scene I've ever seen. Just the raw emotion in Jones' voice, the way he just breaks down...oh, it's heartbreaking. Bravo, sir--bravo indeed.

[@arkoprobhochattopadhyay0370]

JOJ....SUCH A GORGEOUS VOICE 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺❤️❤️❤️❤️......I wish my voice had that quality

[@xxD3Vxx]

I hear ppl in the background crying lol.

[@madam-mint]

I'm one of them! (Kidding, but seriously, my heart has smashed. >< )

[@cohn101]

+Rach Frisella Me too. I can never manage to hold tears on the last scene.

[@CanadianGuy2004]

That's Christine's actress you hear

[@DvySreN]

ohhhmaiiiigoddd JOJ is amazinggg!!! his emotions just flowinggg. he and ramin are such powerful phantoms!

[@maggielow32]

everytime I see him sing "christine, I love you", my heart melts!

[@dianpramita800]

there's a part which all of them sing different song.. it's cool.. JOJ, I love your voice... Ramiin beside his voice, he's great in acting.. both of you are awesome. The best phantom ever.

[@marianabelle]

Since this was JOJ's last show (the first time round), it was even more emotionally packed than usual. I suspect even Oliver Thornton was crying:P

[@KoRnescence93]

2:57 Does anyone else think Oliver is very relaxed for someone with a noose around his neck?

[@DramaqueenEstrella27]

Oh my god I just cried watching this. He is perfect. New favorite phantom!!

[@NKD2508]

None compare to Ramin

[@DramaqueenEstrella27]

i love ramin and joj!! they're both great!!

[@irinakermong1217]

John Owen-Jones has one the most beautiful tenors I've heard in musical theatre, and his performance of Bring Him Home in Les Mis never fails to bring me to tears. And then there's 7:10 onwards, where it sounds like he's auditioning for a metal band and is absolutely killing it.

[@d.m.515]

I would discuss my favorite part but honestly every second is the best part. This entire scene is played so perfectly, especially from John Owen-Jones. He’s really the best I’ve ever seen. I hope one day he’ll be invited back to the role and I can see him. Until then I have this.

[@AH-qu4yh]

Me too! I‘m obsessed - I need to see him live as the Phantom ❤️❤️❤️

[@amoebaj]

Wow, I hadn’t seen JOJ in Final Lair before, and I’m so happy I found this! He brings such a different side to the acting of this scene than I’ve encountered from others, so very raw! I wonder if he did the scene this way every night, or if he ramped it up for this being his final night... I just wish he’d had scene partners as skilled as Ramin had in the 25th. I didn’t care at all for this Raoul, although Hadley was the only Raoul I’ve liked since the original. And JOJ’s Christine only seemed to come alive a few times, like in the line “tears of hate.” I’ve long enjoyed his voice, and I get all the fuss over JOJ now 😍

[@Shroder98]

Holy HELL that moment when Christine returns to give back the ring...😳😳😳😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 a...may...zing

[@sydneylenore9430]

This probably one of the best videos and audios of Rachel Barrel that I have heard. I wasn't a fan of her voice until I listened to this.

[@alfiemarie]

omg i think i found my favorite phantom!!!

[@alexanderzamora5930]

I said after watching 12 phantoms over the course of years, I would not want to see it again. But if I am given the chance to see JOJ, I would watch it again! Thank you for posting!

[@elliart7432]

John Owen Jones isn't my favorite phantom, but he was the first and only phantom I ever saw live. He was the first one that made my heart break and the first who made me obnoxiously sob in the middle of a public theater. And for that, he'll always hold a place in my heart.

[@sonjaraela6156]

A brilliant rendition by John Owen-Jones. Thank you.

[@madam-mint]

You did the impossible and made me cry. Nicely done. I know we're all talking about John here (RIGHTFULLY SO) but THAT CHRISTINE. She's pretty darn good! As for Raoul...I wasn't really paying attention here...I'm sorry.

[@fredfreddo780]

He comes back !!!!! Yes !!!! John Owen-Jones returns as The Phantom from Monday 7 September 2015 until Saturday 30 January 2016 !!! After it will be Ben Forster !!!

[@Whitleychic]

Is that true? Because I just saw "Phantom" a day ago on Broadway, and it was James Baobor.

[@fredfreddo780]

Yes It's true ! But It's finished...JOJ returned to the Phantom in London from October 2015 to January 2016. He was replaced by Ben Forster but I don't like him... 2016 will see Owen-Jones return to Broadway to reprise the role of Valjean from 1st of March until the show closes on September 4th.

[@fredfreddo780]

Lauryn Brianna Yes It's true ! But It's finished...JOJ returned to the Phantom in London from October 2015 to January 2016. He was replaced by Ben Forster but I don't like him... 2016 will see Owen-Jones return to Broadway to reprise the role of Valjean from 1st of March until the show closes on September 4th.

[@ruthafritap]

omg I was just watching this again and noticed how JOJ's hands were literally trembling just before he put her hand to the side of his face :'(

[@lolacarolla7329]

can't believe there is no dvd of john's performance

[@alexanderzamora5930]

OMG! John Owen-jones' phantom is like a psychopath! So different from James Barbour's regal approach. I would love to see John as the phantom. I did see him as Valjean Summer 2016 😍

[@thebrideinthemirror2030]

Yeah Barbour seems to be a fan of just following the blocking without adding any touches

[@monmothma3358]

Probably the best Phantom I've seen. Now why couldn't they have put someone with a voice and acting talent like that in the movie...

[@Wintendo90]

Oh!! I've cried since 'angel of music....'

[@DumboXD1]

me too

[@christinedaae9973]

Poor Erik! I absolutely love his Mask, Cape, and everything!

[@ress_tander]

Furious, passion, dramatic... I cried by him performance. Oh my God, he is an absolute real Phantom.

[@PrismsofGlass]

To be fair, he IS being strangled. You can't think very well when the oxygen is being cut off from your brain. I don't know if it's just Oliver Thornton's Raoul, though - most other Raouls I've seen struggle or shout or even go kind of dead (see David Shannon). I'd say, blame the actor for not doing much with his character, not the character himself.

[@PrismsofGlass]

Yeah, that's why I posted this. In the videos of her with Earl Carpenter, the angle of the camera doesn't quite show her face, or has her face in shadow, which makes her seem cold, but this performance shows that she's crying and pretty sympathetic towards the Phantom. I believe she was the same towards Earl and Matthew Cammelle, though a bit calmer (possibly because their Phantoms were a bit crazier and so she was a calmer Christine in response).

[@SpiderTNT.]

gave me shivers

[@BowievMercury]

...Hard to tell from the video itself; but from the way he was ineffectually holding the rope until the point where Christine kissed the Phantom I'd say he'd either given up or fallen unconcious from the rather heavy drop to the floor after the rope was cut

[@nekocookiee]

I just... what the heck is Raoul doing back there, he just dying XD I was getting all emotional and then he just popped into frame and had me laughing

[@Brabanzio-uncanaleinutile]

I think in this specific performance, John Owen Jones is the most well-sung Phantom ever recorded!

[@dingkunliu3641]

I wonder how the actor protect his throat after yelling so many times.

[@theatrekidwithinternetacce704]

And a ton of vocal rest and tea maybe?

[@karenpinson759]

JOJ has it all, an astounding voice and amazing acting. His chemistry with Rachel is wonderful. He never disappoints his fans. He is almost comparable to Michael Crawford.

[@decadencewhimsyandsarcasm]

Nothing maintains the dramatic moment like a damn car commercial right after he sings “Christine I love you”

[@danacabalza5787]

John Owen Jones might just be my fave phantom 😭😭😭 The way he carries this entire performance had me 💀💀💀

[@estherbloodangel8721]

Bravo. What a actor and singer. Powerful phantom 🖤🖤

[@kendraressler4497]

I like how it emphasized in the musical that is not because of the disfigurement of his outward appearance that Christine rejects Erik but rather his actions that come out of a resentful and bitter heart. I see comments from lots people who say if they were Christine they would stay with the Phantom, but honestly I would not...not in the state he is in. Seriously he murdered two people, extorted the theater owners (still wrong regardless of how scummy they are), and caused terror and panic among theater cast and audience (innocent and not so innocent) throughout the course of the musical. I truly do have sympathy for Erik and understand why he acts the way he does stemming from a life full of rejection and prejudice. However a romance between Erik and Christine would be based on lies and manipulation which does not give healthy foundation for a relationship. Christine despite whatever pity she may have felt towards the Phantom, she knows she could not love somebody who manipulates, lies and hurts someone who they say they love. Ultimately Erik did the right thing and let Christine go, which demonstrates that there is hope for despite all he had done.

[@amarawoolery8404]

John Owen-Jones is the only phantom I've heard that could outscream Ramin at the end

[@lmbtrspianocovers]

ramin is great, but no one EVER beats john owen jones.

[@kirstym.]

What an emotionally charged final lair scene I literally got chills when he sang "you alone can make my song take flight it's over now the music of the night"

[@PrismsofGlass]

There are three released videos of his Phantom: this one of his last performance, one from October 15, 2004, and one of him with Celia Graham (just look for her on KZbin, you'll find it). There are also tons of audios and various video clips of his run in London and UK Tour, and finally an unreleased bootleg of him with Gina Beck. So yeah, quite a bit out there. Try searching trading sites, not everything gets uploaded to KZbin.

[@BiancaWong]

Nice video! I've never seen JOJ perform live. This video is the next best thing :)

[@MICHAELMYERS37]

he always gets to me n he does the best scream

[@Whirlpooley]

Ramin is my favorite, but OH MY FUDGE! I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW WELL THIS PHANTOM DID. I wasn't 3 minutes into the video before he had me sitting there clapping my hands off. HIS THEATRICAL SKILL! Sitting there on his chair looking all smug as Raoul was begging in the background. I LAUGHED. He yelled instead of sang at all the right parts, and this guy probably just became my second favorite Phantom with this little scene. Good job, Sir. I never thought I'd find ANYONE as good as Ramin :D

[@madimoonchild]

Ok I had tears in my eyes but then 06:30 came and I burst out laughing at Raoul🤦🏻‍♀️🤣

[@NintendoTransformer]

Very emotional. Def one of my favorite final lairs. But I can’t get over how Raoul just gives up at some point lmaoooo.

[@PaulTheillusionist]

The best Phantom ever.

[@chloenkitty]

JOJ is phenomenal

[@cohn101]

JoJ was great. But the Christine here seems mediocre to me.

[@User02654]

Exactly! She has a beautiful voice but it is mediocre compared to other Christines.

[@cohn101]

Shelby Smith yeah …I can't sense any feeling in her singing. She just followed the lines with no emotion.

[@PrismsofGlass]

+Coco Xu I adore Rachel Barrell's Christine, but I'll admit she can be pretty subtle in her acting. However, she shows quite a bit of spunk in this scene, more so than with her other Phantoms like Earl Carpenter and Matthew Cammelle. (Look at the anger on her face during "tears of hate".) And she was one of the first who was openly sympathetic and crying when she leaves the Phantom, which you can see in the video.

[@cohn101]

+Glass Prism Yeah I saw this one (I basically went through all ur phantom collections :P). It's more about the opening of POTO when her voice just flew out in such a pale and dull way comparing to other Christine. Also since you mentioned the FL scene, the most recent show I watched a few days ago they made a tiny alteration to the part of Christine returning the ring: E did not see that she came back at all and only to find out later that the ring was returned when C and R were gone already. I somehow thought that this could be a more "humane"(in lack of a better word) way for E to end. Every time when C came back and E saw her...it's like rekindle a glimpse of hope in his heart and only to be put out soon after. Like I can hear him whispering to himself"why is she back? Did she change her mind?" But no. He is still all by himself at the end. I'd rather him never have witnessed her coming back. Just a few thoughts I want to share. :)

[@cohn101]

+Glass Prism And one more thing. I really really like JoJ's hands gesture when he sang “his life is the prize you must earn". I didn';t see anything like that in other phantom. His move just made it like it was a real conversation and it mixed with his singing so well. He was really putting life into the character. Who's ur favorite phantom? just curious. For me it's JoJ and Ramin. I like Hugh's singsing but I kind of think he could do more on acting.

[@deedeelizard]

JOJ is such a brilliant phantom, not sure about this Christine though :(

[@PrismsofGlass]

That's wonderful. Now why don't you go on a video of Ramin and continue praising him, instead of criticizing an equally good Phantom without any reason to back it up, hmm?

[@theatrekidwithinternetacce704]

Ramin is overrated IMO, respect him and yes I do really like him but jesus overrated.

[@saxongirl2054]

@@theatrekidwithinternetacce704 It was a mistake to get into this musical. I can't stand how overrated he and sierra are.

[@theatrekidwithinternetacce704]

@@saxongirl2054 Like he's great, but there are other people as great and ppl need to see that.

[@sheenee2192]

I know everyone hates Raoul and loves the phantom. But thinking about it seriously, I would not have been able to forgive the phantom if I had to make a choice of marrying him or killing the person I love. I had a phantom situation too, since I was so naive[very sheltered], I don't think anyone realize how bad deception is. Becoming someone's idol, father, friend, and that person doing everything to screw you over.

[@PrismsofGlass]

I actually don't think everyone hates Raoul! Or it might depend on where you're frequenting. I'm on Tumblr a lot and there's about equal amounts of love for Raoul and the Phantom. But I do agree - as sympathetic as the Phantom is, he's done too much to Christine at that point for her to ever trust him again, and I think as much as she might wish she could help them, or that their story could have had a happier ending, she knows the wisest choice is to leave him. And I'd say even the Phantom would agree with her, which is why he willingly lets her go.

[@rachelwoodruff5054]

Why is his voice at 2:37 so hecking beautiful?

[@iizy_ll]

7:19 - 7:23 when you have a test tomorrow

[@QuynhLe-mq2jk]

The most powerful and emotional show ever!

[@Dianaemanuel]

JOJ rings the emotions here doesn't he? Very moving.

[@philippatran2745]

The actor playing Raoul here was not even trying

[@MrGlittergirl554]

Woo hooo GO JOJ BEST PHANTOM EVA :-) !!!!!

[@joshuanesbit]

omg the scream 😱

[@LovinGaryLee]

Epic....

[@ThePearceProductions]

He's the best Phantom. No doubt about that.

[@amybaker4654]

He seems to have spotted the person holding the camera just before this..he appears to look twice straight at the camera.I wonder if he's thinking how people manage get away with filming.I am grateful that they do,i never saw John in the show.

[@lasatiuchvil]

JOJ is such an amazing Phantom. Love Ramin, too. They have the best vocals and best acting for the character IMO

[@richardnemec847]

great!joj is the best phantom