PHANTOM - What's Changed?! | Phantom of the Opera New Production Review + Show Stop!

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So I recently grabbed myself a ticket to go and see PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the new and slightly updated production which recently reopened at Her Majesty's Theatre in London.
In today's video I'm letting you know about the changes to the show, what I thought of the performance and also spilling some T about an incident that forced the show to stop halfway through the second act!
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[@michaelwood9389]

To clear a few things up. The chandelier we see today was not intended to be collapsible, it was only supposed to drop. This was changed due to pressure and complaints from fans. The dressing room scene is actually the same apart from the drape. The masquerade drape and header are now used instead of the original blue drape. The travelator now only moves up and down and does not move forward like it did before. No doubles are used down to the lair, it’s the principals on the travelator. The candelabras don’t slide but do rise. Meg has always crawled through the portcullis at the end. There have always been people climbing down the portcullis at the end. The boxes now feature in the auction and are included more in some scenes.

[@dandanod]

Hey there, great video fella. I worked FOH at Her Majestys from 1997 to 2003, basically I watched it 8 times a week for 6 years, yay. To address your points, Yes, the boxes were always there Yes, people climb down the trellis and Meg also climbs down and crawls under The organ part of the overture, the entire Phantom of the Opera song and " Why so silent" Phantom singing after Masquerade have always been on click track. 😎🎃👍

[@houseofshuffles449]

"The PHAAAAAAANTOM of the Opera is there ....inside your..." "...twenty-two pas the hour now on 790 FM." "Our 1970s marathon continues next with Elton John and Kiki Dee and 'Dont Go Breaking My Heart.'.."

[@peterharpley3390]

Click tracks or not - this orchestra sounded so much thinner, especially the organ parts. Wrecked it for me.

[@jesus-of-cheeses]

The title song was always prerecorded. Seth Rudetsky, who’d played keyboards in the broadway version, has mentioned this many times.

[@jamesbarfield6700]

The title song has always been pre-recorded.

[@MrMusical66]

I can remember once, after the show first opened, they mistakenly used Sarah's tape instead of Claire Moore's who was performing and they couldn't do anything about it. I worked Front of House for the first 18 months. Fun times!

[@michaelboydston313]

@@MrMusical66 oh dear, that's bad

[@gotofalograce9926]

But why?

[@michaelboydston313]

@@gotofalograce9926 imagine trying to hit high e every night and getting it perfect every single time, not easy, and it's a part you never want to fuck up

[@derekllewellyn6663]

@@MrMusical66 do you know i really remember reel feel like I feel it in my dream come true story life look back in time travel would definitely be there in the world of 25th anniversary celebration party years 10th birthday party oasr awesome picture awards TCM channel interview review history of power and a new

[@DannyMontejano2004]

4:00 my guess is that they struggled to get the masquerade stairs off on time

[@davidlewis1199]

I was a usher in 1990 in L.A. music center with Michael Crawford & Dale Christian. I haven’t seen it for years and it sounds like there has not been tons of changes. Such a great show. Wow i love live theater. 🤙🎭💕

[@jameswilson3370]

So jealous you got to see Michael Crawford perform live 😭😭😭😭

[@Aproclivity]

I’m pretty sure that the entire title song has been prerecorded for at least since 98. (Source: I worked at a theatre on the tour that has played in four times and I dated a former stage manager for the tour and she told me it’s done everywhere.)

[@karenday8931]

Yep, lip synched since the early 90s at least.

[@emmal.]

I thought since the show began in 1986!

[@FirstnameLastname-vf9rp]

how come?

[@whatdoyousuppose]

Yup this has been confirmed by several cast members! It’s pre-recorded bc of the staging but also makes the E6 a lot more manageable for Christine since she doesn’t actually ever sing it live in the show (unless it’s something like Royal Albert Hall’s concert or any other live appearance outside the show)

[@millievaughan2917]

@@whatdoyousuppose who has confirmed this

[@beltingtokra]

Just realised how clever it is that the playout music is "wishing you were somehow here again". Well played ALW, well played 😚

[@rosemont2283]

One of the things I’ve always wondered was how the actual actors playing Phantom and Christine got onto the bridge with or without the doubles doing the title songs. And I wonder how it looked like after the recent change

[@mimi4shortstack]

Phantom was the first show I ever saw! It will always hold a special spot in my heart. Seeing it live again (hopefully, covid willing) next year in Sydney at the Opera House ☺️

[@derekllewellyn6663]

Do you know that it's looks like Christmas movie conjuring movie called Joey King she sent set up on the best of them back contact info conjuring sent from hollywood mail on Android accounts on Netflix so I feel it take to be there for you put in just jumped in a little into store story

[@maziejenn]

Just dropping in to say that you’re friggin’ SPIFFTACULAR - and I love your content (and your vibe). Keep doing what you do, love 💕

[@STRiPESandShades]

I wonder if the change from the Apollo atop the proscenium was changed because the Phantom was scared of heights! I saw Phantom ten-ish years ago on Broadway and my guy was visibly shaking when he had to be at height.

[@Rossismagic]

Another brilliant review...first class!

[@maryluke8611]

Very helpful review. Thank you for talking in such detail about the voices.

[@ajmalaika1287]

Ooooohhhh reaady for the tea thank you!

[@davidparker1544]

I'm a first time watcher of your videos. I'm a longtime Phan and have watched several versions around the U.S. since 1990. I wanted to answer a couple of your questions. Yes, there were boxes (5 and the Mgrs) which appeared on either side for Hannibal, Think of me, Il Muto, Don Juan Triumphant. They are recessed during inaction and move in to the stage for more action, as needed. At the end of the show, the Portcullis (the big gate thing that comes down in the lair) has always been the way down for the "mob" and Meg Giry to climb down. I have previously sat front row at Phantom, and if you look hard enough, you can see the ensemble mob members position themselves after Phantom cuts the punjab lasso from Raoul. ... "It's over now, the music of the night".... mob and Meg climb down as Phantom goes to thrown and covers himself. Meg climbs under the Portcullis to pull the cape and reveal the mask. After reading this, I kinda sound like a phantom nerd. Cheers from California. David.

[@caturine6625]

Came here b/c i just saw the broadway show yesterday, and there is one MAJOR change that has me all salty, and i need confirmation if they did this elsewhere too: during Wandering Child, Raoul shows up to stop the Phantom and Chrstine's duet, and eventually says (as in he speaks it, he doesn't sing it) "Christine...this man...is not your father!" well i always thought this line was super important, but, last night, instead of saying this, Raoul SINGS a completely different line, (set to one of the motifs that is used many times in the show but imo didn't fit in that part) about how "blah blah you have no claim on her something something blah" that i can't even remember, i was so stunned. can anyone seeing the show lately comfirm please??

[@brxzbze]

That's been on the Broadway version for quite some time and some touring versions, and I really don't like it either, but it has been around for some time so it's not a completely random change. I think they changed West End to this as well after the refurbishments but I'm not sure.

[@natashakingston8302]

Thank you for this review

[@rickramos1292]

The organ portion of the chandelier's rise at the top of the show has always been prerecorded. It switches to live right after it completes its ascension and the organ part finishes. So the orchestra members just hang out while the organ part is playing. The title song's vocals have always been completely prerecorded. Some of the orchestra, I think it's mostly the synthesizers, are also prerecorded and played back for that song. The orchestral elements are live. I could be wrong about this one but I know for a fact the vocals are prerecorded for the whole title number.

[@RoseEastyy1]

I just went to see Phantom of the opera in London yesterday evening in London for the first time... It was absolutely amazing, I've seen the film and listened to the music for years but OMG I was blown away. We had front row seats, we were right behind the conductor, it was interesting seeing the orchestra and sheet music during interval. The only thing l would say also about front row is the creak in the neck, mine was a little sore afterwards but totally worth it to see the actors faces up close :-)

[@juliecarbert9317]

Love when you and Bryony Rose post, Phantom was the first west end show I've ever seen with Michael Ball as Raoul, haven't seen it since but would love to go again one day xx

[@danielbonett7818]

My biggest issue with the revised version is the addition of the magic and supernatural abilities that were not in the original version and I feel takes some of the Phantoms intriguing and illusionistic skills to too simple and dull an explanation. Music and pure love and art are more than enough magic than to cheapen it with mystic powers of hypnotism.

[@jaredildefonzo]

I know I’m gonna get a lot hate for this but… I think the opposite. I actually think the pyrotechnics looks great. I mean yea it takes a way from some parts but I mean, phantom is suppose to be a illusionist so the sparks kinda sell that. 😅

[@sonnenschein553]

Oh no. Thank you for sharing this information.

[@deborahdawkins4394]

Love your stagey enthusiasm. I don't know if someone else has mentioned it but the blocking at the end of "Music of the Night" has always varied. Hal Prince's original blocking Phantom left Christine on the floor and covered her with his cape. Subsequent productions would sometimes have him carry her to the bed/boat. It may have depended on the strength of the actor playing Phantom and the size of Christine.

[@ey8767]

In the Australian production the Phantom still carries Christine to the bed but it’s strange, because there is no Christine statue. So Christine just fainted in Phantom’s arms for no reason.

[@agarvin1687]

I've seen the show 10 times (9 in NYC and once in London, all of them pre-pandemic) so I'm very familiar with the original Hal Prince staging... out of all the times I've seen the show, I've only seen the Phantom catch Christine one time and bring her to the boat (it was in 2014 on Broadway when Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess were in the show together) - the other 9 times, to my recollection, has always been her lying on the floor... I do recall hearing one story where one of the Christine actresses in NYC was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time and, during the faint to the floor, her Phantom would catch her mid-fall and guide her to the floor so no harm would come to her and her unborn child

[@ey8767]

@@agarvin1687 That's Howard McGillin and Jennifer Hope Wills, who just gave birth to her baby and got back to stage. And Howard caught her to mid-fall to prevent injury. What a gentleman! But on Broadway generally, Christine just falls on the floor. In the west end, the Phantom would catch her and put her in the boat. But it's not the case anymore. Now in west end, Christine also falls on the floor.

[@deborahdawkins4394]

I have a rehearsal piano and vocal score that gives the stage direction for Phantom to carry her, so go figure.

[@craigmmcgill]

@@deborahdawkins4394 is there any venue where the public can get ahold of that score? I’d love to study it, but only for my own purposes. I have a masters degree in music theory but work in a different field now.

[@kyletristanrobert8207]

You deserve to sit in the front row seat! every time! Really enjoyed this video! love hearing your reviews and opinions! Not to mention your the most handsome guy to watch. Really start crushing on you when your talking about my favorite thing in the world MUSICAL THEATRE !

[@paulerykatlas7625]

Re Final lair, aye Meg always crawled under the cage, and aye always wires :)

[@shanepetyko8004]

I love the Phantom I lived in Philadelphia when it opened in NYC I used to ride the bus while my mom was at work and see it because of Phantom I went to Cats , les Miz then eventually my all time favorite Miss Saigon. NYC was scary but amazing at the time and these musicals just molded the city it’s hard to explain but it was a very dramatic time and they all seemed to work together. I’m nostalgic for that time and Phantom always reminds me of the late 80’s early 90’s. I’m glad they did not seem to fix what was not broken. I enjoy your videos!!!

[@huge1313]

Yes the box seats always came out. Yes the crowd / mob came down the scaffolding and she did come under the age.

[@shanepetyko8004]

Love you and yes the boxes come out even in nyc and they come down the fence and Meg goes under even in American touring productions all this happened!! Still watching your video but I am addicted to your videos. Thank you

[@wulf4158]

Phantom was the first musical I've ever gone to see this August! Honestly so many precious happenings went on that I love! the top left drape got stuck during overture and couldn't be moved until the interval, and Killian slapped the stage during Stranger Than You Dreamt It and it fit so well. The time you went to see was probably one of the showings where the title is pretty much always lip-synced, sometimes it is sung live I do find it difficult to keep up with moments where people overlaped during songs and Raoul's voice was always always the first to be lost which was a shame Unfortunate that you didn't get to see Lucy because she was beautiful and they were very good at getting around her hair texture I'd love to see how some of the set pieces work or look like from behind (where people are inside of it), Phantom has to have been in his hiding place for all of All I Ask Of You so i'm curious with it all haha

[@derekllewellyn6663]

10th anniversary celebration party years birthday stuff show starts at VIP tickets tour New oasr awesome picture awards TCM hollywood movies on money 💸💰💵 it's looks like Tim burton made into store story of the same time years universal studios hollywood new 100th birthday years 50th birthday party years 25th anniversary celebration of life live in line life look back at movie made into store story about the other money for the best way magic of a few days before New DVD releases on Facebook messenger key magic New dream key new number of power outage map money does it have been there since

[@haleyb7405]

Love your look

[@thomasconnolly6742]

I’d like to marry Rhys Whitfield. That’s it, that’s the comment

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

There's definitely a queue 😉

[@Waggers789]

He’s a wonderful Raoul. Definitely my favourite.

[@meganomahoney5450]

I played Christine in phantom of the opera opera at my house on Thursday 27th of July my grandad die on Sunday 6th of June that was the last time I played her

[@thomasconnolly6742]

@@meganomahoney5450 I’m sorry to hear that but I think you replied to the wrong comment

[@colonyofrats4193]

yessss I saw him on the tour right before the first lock down and my eyes were on him the whole time haha

[@nathanbrown9397]

The show stop on Sunday may have been due to the fact the masquerade staircase couldn’t have been moved in time for the next scene if I were to take a guess!

[@actorjulion101]

That's why you improvise...

[@adam4757]

@@actorjulion101 Quite hard to when its so big!

[@actorjulion101]

@@adam4757 Shouldn't be hard when you're a supposedly professional actor. Somebody wanna do something with full commitment? They're gonna find a way. Period.

[@actorjulion101]

@@adam4757 Hell, the US tour didn't even have a staircase lol...

[@adam4757]

@@actorjulion101 This would have been a decision made by the Stage Manager. It has nothing to do with how good an actor is....

[@BryanLankston]

Always loved the angel during All I Ask of You Reprise until I sat under it at the Broadway show and couldn’t see anything. And also yes, they have always climbed down the gate at the end and the boxes have also always been part of the show. With the exception of Las Vegas where I believe they had actual boxes in the house that were used instead.

[@disneydanny2]

if I remember the Title song in the original (and subsequent) productions, everything up to Phantom & Christine coming in on the boat were pre-recorded vocals which switched to live once we saw the boat though Christine's high note at the end was also pre-recorded.

[@Junoleda]

Saw it this month, very disappointed by the music, the lack of musicians meant they used volume instead which lacked depth. This volume also meant that the song Prima Donna was was the cast screaming at each other and not a word could be heard. I thought that choosing a Vicomte who could sing as well as the phantom really helped the love triangle since their voices are equal and means that all I ask of you works. Btw I think they did use doubles on the bridge but just for the first crossing since they cross from the other side of the stage.

[@emilys5545]

I saw Phantom for the second time a couple days ago, the first time being in 2016, and I definitely noticed some sound mixing issues this time where it felt the music was louder than the performers to where it became a little distracting!

[@StephShrubb]

Totally agree on Prima Donna and some of the other parts where a few of them were singing different parts at the same time. I thought I never found it that muddled before.

[@jswatch9270]

Now that The PHANTOM of the OPERA is reopened I would love to see it coming back to USA including Hollywood.

[@groovydonkey]

The part you mentioned about people climbing down, I do remember that, but it was many years, actually on 9/11, so it does stick in my mind. The new production does sound different, but I think ALW could afford a full orchestra. He Tweeted earlier a pic 35 years later, but no mention of cutting back on the orchestra and the many others that have made him millions. If he respected the profession so much he would have a full orchestra. Your review has made me curious to see it, but not pay a fortune or be ripped off with ticket prices.

[@blissinchains]

He and Cameron Mackintosh are at minimum millionaires, if not richer than that. They can definitely afford full on orchestras. It's not like the World Tour which even from a practicality standpoint from the start needed a smaller musical footprint.

[@or2113]

Holly is amazing as Christine!

[@mfmcp1982]

We had two show stops in the one performance in the Edinburgh Playhouse seeing Matilda in 2019 - there were issues with the sets moving and the computer system involved. The first stop was for about 5 mins, the second was much longer (15-20 mins?) and it certainly impacted the running time quite significantly. It did impact our enjoyment as the kids in the audience were getting tired and the sound in that show also wasn't particularly good so it was a difficult watch.

[@JustinDaishMusic]

I'd like to hear your thoughts on the new staging of Les Mis. I don't think you've addressed that yet. (IMO it's vastly inferior to the Trevor Nunn production.)

[@sparklingtonic]

+1 I hate the new staging, and I'm sick of critics insisting that I should like it.

[@mattbrichacek8978]

They better not change anything in NYC! Don’t touch it lol, keep it og.

[@mikurtis1767]

one change I noticed about ten years ago in the Broadway production was after the Phantom says, "A toad, Madame? Perhaps it is YOU who are the toad." Previous times I had seen it, Carlotta literally croaks like a frog herself during her higher notes. The last time I saw it, the Phantom interrupted her high notes saying, "Ribbit! Ribbit!" I don't know if that's now a regular thing or whatever. I didn't like that change though.

[@thewiz2003]

They changed it back saw it yesterday

[@sprachenanderalster2923]

Thank you for your review! I would be highly interested what you think about our German musicals that are highly successful in germany and Austria, but will never transfer to the West End, just like "Elisabeth", "Ich war noch niemals in New York" or "Tanz der Vampire"...

[@madeleinebraakman]

I watched your video before going, and watched it again after seeing it now. Was fun knowing a bit in advance that there were going to be minor changes. It was my 9th time seeing the Phantom live in a span of 26 years and I can safely say I know it A-Z and I'm quite critical. Was thrilled to see Holly-Anne, for I love the Sierra Bogess-sound a million times more than Lucy's Emmy Rossum sound. Also preferred James Gant who played the Phantom to Killian, voice wise. Killian is not operatic enough for me. Rhys was amazing! I noticed changes in the Hannibal scene: the hair of the ballet dancers as well as Christines hair was shorter. Some of the dancers had their hair up in curlers, which I liked. It added to the realism. There was an Asian girl with straight hair in a braid - also more realistic than the original wigs. Also Christine wore her hair in a low ponytail in some scenes. In Think of me there was a line change in "Think of August when the world was green" --> "When the trees were green". An improvement I would say. All I ask of you was done in a way lighter way than usual which I liked: it added some frivolity to a song that could as well be rather heavy. Agree with you that the rooftop looked a bit more cheap than before. Over all really enjoyed it a lot!

[@davidwilliams-qq4iq]

Hi I totally agree with your assessment of the new improved POTO and I’ve seen it 4 times since it’s return and they’re definitely miming/lip syncing in the section you mentioned.I always sit front row and picked up on it right away however it doesn’t spoil it one bit.Also all the costumes have been “sparkled” up especially in Masquerade.It’s been trimmed by a good 20 minutes too which makes for a great brisk paced show.Finally Lucy St Louis is a fabulous Christine long may this production flourish.❤

[@inLmgb]

Hi from Vienna! ❤I just saw two of the previews of the new POTO production in Vienna and was stunned how the time flew by! So they cut almost 20 minutes of the show? That explaines a lot!! 😄 It's been many years since I last saw the original London production and I still have so much to rediscover and to soak in of this grand show. So I did not yet look at the time. However, it felt to end a lot faster. The music is just fabulous as always and we still have a fairly big orchestra of excellent musicians. I am very happy with our new cast as well!

[@InstaSim6]

I went to see Phantom in October 2023 (went as a little late-ish birthday treat for myself after being at Musical Con) on the weekend) and I really enjoyed it 🙂 It was my first time seeing it live too so I can't properly compare it with how it was pre-covid outside of videos I've seen The main cast were absolutely phenomenal and I consider myself blessed to have seen Jon Robyns as the Phantom and Lily Keehoas as Christine - they were absolutely brilliant. John Griffiths-Brown as Raoul was amazing too I was up in the Grand Circle and had a really good view of the stage and the chandelier on the roof. I think the new chandelier is pretty good too, and personally I like how the chandelier flashes to the drum beats during the overture - I know it's a bit of a cheap effect but I think it gives more life to the chandelier as it rises Some of the effects they changed compared to what I've heard from the original I'm not terribly fussed about either as I still think it was a really good show to watch. I also read somewhere I think they use doubles for the initial journey to the lair again though I'm not sure (I wouldn't have noticed from my vantage point either way) The orchestra is the only let down I find, although admittedly I didn't notice the problems with it as much on the night (where I was sat, the speakers were pretty much pointed directlt towards me so I guess that makes a small difference) but my friend who came along with me did notice the thinner orchestra, and from watching videos of the orchestra I can definitely hear the thinner orchestra. It's the only thing I'd like to hope they bring back for the West End production as I'd personally love to hear the 27-piece properly to compare it - for a West End experience, I think it's important Also, for what it's worth, for the UK productions at least, ALW himself has little say about how Phantom is run, it's pretty much all on Cameron Mackintosh. I can understand during Covid there would have been some cost pressures, but when I went 6 months ago the theatre was packed so people clearly are returning to the West End

[@ragtmt15]

Yes, they’ve climbed down the 2nd lair and Meg on Broadway always has crawled under here in NYC not sure about WE

[@lee70687]

Really interesting, but I have to say...I LOVED Stephen Ward! Sadly feel I was the only one 😁

[@abenicks]

Anyone know why there was a lyric change in 'Think of me' 'once in a while' to 'every so often'?

[@jswatch9270]

Andrew Lloyd Webber's The PHANTOM of the OPERA is my favorite musical of all time

[@johnhazelgrove1616]

Re the showstopper" You mentioned the safety curtain coming in - that would suggest some technical issue where there is a possibility of danger - fire / electrical: fire curtains are never brought in during a performance .. once upon a time it was regulation that the FC had to be lowered before the performance to prove it was capable of operation, but no longer...

[@louises2278]

I'm actually shocked as ALW is such a perfectionist!! I can't belive the title song is lip synced!!!didn't think he'd allow it!!!!

[@jswatch9270]

That's awesome you get to watch it front row, I just hope you've been careful when the chandelier fell down.

[@RobertOrgRobert]

So glad you haven’t spoiled it !!!

[@jswatch9270]

@@RobertOrgRobert meaning?

[@lubeeluonline]

I’ve only ever seen one show stop in my entire life (I’m 38 & a performing arts teacher so I’ve seen a lot!). It was Blood Brothers & the guy playing Eddy suddenly got a wave of food poisoning & had to exit to vomit. The SM came on to explain. The understudy came on within a few minutes & the show picked up. Very strange experience but the only one I’ve ever seen.

[@colmobrieno]

Finally someone else who has seen blood brothers

[@Phelie315]

@@colmobrieno I had a teacher who organized a trip to England for everyone who wanted to from my school twice every year. The last day would always be a West End show and usually it would be Blood Brothers, while it was still running. So an unusual amount of people from my random German town, including myself, has seen Blood Brothers 😂

[@colmobrieno]

@@Phelie315 HAAHAHAHAH I actually saw it when it was in my town performing in ireland for the tour in 2019 and it was brilliant and THE GUNSHOTS Me and my friend no joke jumped so hard she actually felt out of her seat and I landed crouching over her seat, then we got up , laughinf and looked at the scene above us and started crying so much LOL (the end btw)

[@Isaac-xc8bq]

Probably a jammed track I happens all the time here in the us.

[@DerekMckean]

I like your sweater. Did they use the big center cylindrical piece that extrudes rectangular objects that appear as the phantom descends during the title song? The set piece also doubles down as the managers office. The set piece rotates. This set piece was used in the 2015 U S tour of the New Production of POTO. P.S did London get the New Production of Les Miserables?

[@derekllewellyn6663]

I feel like flash back past few years back and bring them back in time more information on maze's New look like the best way magic app key is on Netflix about how much money does it mean when

[@jameswilson3370]

I am curious - was Jospeh Bouquet’s hanging portrayed with a dummy or was it more like the 25th anniversary touring production?

[@Charlie.Preston_]

I just went to today's matinee and funnily enough the show stopped as well! - it was just when the elephant came on in the beginning of act 1. Very unusual 🤔🤔

[@jswatch9270]

Can you review the 2004 movie adaptation and the 25th anniversary celebration?

[@maarinabudd]

The boxes were in the original production as was the Mob climbing down the Portcullis and Meg climbing underneath to gain access to the front. It's not unheard of to use prerecorded singing in some parts of some West End musical productions. Very disappointed to hear of so many changes to the original production as I had seen the original production some nine times! I don't think I'll be revisiting the show anytime soon.

[@richardphillips1971]

I've heard in some versions the masked ball takes place un the ballroom

[@lewisburke3207]

Very late comment to this, but seems the trap door issue on phantom at the end of masquerade /why so silent is a 'common' problem as the other weekend there was a show stop in which Killian seemed to get stuck in the trap door at the end. Seems to be a similar issue to what you mentioned (was definitely at the same part of the show)

[@bendrp28]

The title song has always been on track

[@brxzbze]

Pretty sure the 'Buquet' singing wasn't transposed and it's always been a lower version of the motif in that specific section. but then again I may be wrong. (About the orchestra, if you're not particularly familiar with the regular orchestrations and/or the score it's not as noticeable, but there is a fair chunk of nice parts/details that have been taken out and it's definitely obvious when the two are compared. Also on most of the recording I listened to the singing seemed to overpower the orchestra more than usual, but I've only seen bootleg recordings so far and I haven't seen it live so maybe that wasn't the case IRL?)

[@matthewharrison2971]

The production I saw here in the U.S. had the mob coming after him with candles at the end and yes Meg did crawl under the cage at the end

[@artfulvariety1099]

Random Phantom question I've always wondered. Does anyone know why there is no time for applause between the songs Phantom of the Opera and Music of the Night? It kinda frustrated me every time I saw it.

[@acetatode]

I think that it's just to maintain that atmosphere of the scene, and the applause would ruin that

[@jennifer-annehunter2827]

I sat front row for the Woman in Black!!!

[@muriloraggio]

Na verdade, ao menos aqui no Brasil, a parte da música principal foi totalmente dublada. Isso eu posso dizer em razão das minhas fontes serem super confiáveis. Então, creio que seja assim no mundo todo também. Na realidade, a explicação que me deram é que existem muitas coisas em cena para acontecer durante a música principal. Desde os atores alternantes que aparecem muito acima do palco, em baixa iluminação, fazendo as vezes de Christine e Phantom, enquanto os principais estão se preparando la em baixo para surgirem no barco que 'navegará' entre as velas do cenário. Até mesmo por razões técnicas vocais, porque pense só.. é a música chave de ouro do musical, que não pode falhar. Por mais preparados que sejam os cantores, estamos falando sobre voz e ela, humanamente, pode apresentar problemas, principalmente quando elevada em tons tão agudos, como é o caso da parte final da Christine na música principal. Então, sim, é pré-gravado! Foi assim aqui no Brasil e provavelmente é assim no mundo todo.

[@williamgardiner2010]

‘Mr Joe’ should have mentioned that the 35-year-old set by the late Maria Bjornson - who died tragically young after an epileptic seizure in her bath - was almost falling apart when the theatre closed during the pandemic. It had to be replaced while honouring most of Maria’s original design elements.

[@DanielMazz]

Did cast see u or notice you at the curtain call as u were in front

[@WiseGuy19]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Diana.

[@robertstevenschumann]

#TRAGIC. I loved MEMPHIS so much and had high hopes. DIANA is really bad, sadly. I bet it won't open on Broadway.

[@WiseGuy19]

@@robertstevenschumann I didn’t think it was as bad as everyone is saying. I kind of liked it for the most part.

[@SuzukiRie7]

Hi. I've only seen the original. As The Phantom Italy is opening soon, I saw Ramin wearing a harness and he was on the chandelier. I don't remember this was in the original. Does it happen to the new production and if so which scene???

[@jackietomkinson933]

Please can you or anyone else answer my few questions?? Who is the standby Phantom. Did Killian Donnelly use to play Gary in Eastenders? only they look similar to me. Where is the better seating so you can see everything including the reprise and the grave scene? Are there any particular days/shows when the standby's and alternates perform rather than the stars of the show. Thank you

[@lucianosanchez1999]

I'm going for the first time this year to watch a Broadway show, which "classic" show would you recommend watching? 1 or 2? Thanks in advance!

[@sparklingtonic]

I'm skeptical about the changes but I might check it out. I'm curious about how the current cast is (Robyns/Kerhoas/Griffiths-Brown).

[@davidfade7397]

I worked FOH at Her Majesty's back in 1990 and then later, sat in on a few performances with the assistant conductor. Anyway, to confirm, the title song in all productions of the show worldwide, has always been lip-synched bar the bit where the Phantom repeatedly says "sing my angel of music", which is always done live. Incidentally, it's not a closely regarded secret of any kind as it's common knowledge among anyone that has ever been or worked on the show and the theatre staff and management also.

[@oliviabearb]

I believe must have been at the same performance as you as I had the stopped show in the second act. Unless it happened twice in October…

[@peterharpley3390]

I saw this new production from the Royal Circle and the chandelier was very similar both in its emergence and (underwhelming) drop although there were added strobe flashes. Most of what was on the stage was the same - two things have been lost - The phantom now only appears on the stage (although his voice is thrown around the auditorium probably more now) - Not only has the angel been lost (in favour of a copy of the worst part of the dreadful film - the horse) but the phantom isn't even seen above the proscenium pulling the ropes of the chandelier etc, so the atmosphere is really different now. Even from where we were sitting - so it must have been more so where you were on the front row, the trap doors etc were so visible which meant you knew the phantom would drop there. The worst part - and this makes me not want to see it there again was how thin the orchestra were - The opening chords of the overture were really pulled back and the opening of the title song was awful. There used to be two keyboard players who were placed in the box to the left of the orchestra. I saw them there when I last saw the old production - from the front row. In contrast - the new production of Les Miserables which has a smaller ensemble cast where many of them play many roles - even Eponine - was a real freshening up of what was becoming a tired production. That's what Cameron Mackintosh should have done - a complete restaging.

[@ChrisBiggs51]

As we are going to Pretty Woman The Musical on Tuesday 12th, i'd love to see & hear what you think of it & how our opinions differ / concur !

[@oldschoolabrahamhicks2742]

Anyone know why they've changed think of me once in a while/every so often?

[@tananario]

Show stops suck. Only one I’ve experienced was a preview for my very first pro gig. I had terrible stage fright and was counting on that show to calm down. I made it on to stage but on our very first set change, the compressor died and we couldn’t move the biggest set piece. At all. Thankfully the bar was literally across the street.

[@shelleyrightmyer6421]

Iloveyou somuch miss you

[@beckyBWwilliams]

how do you find out about ticket sales like the one you mentioned?

[@act.of.whimsy]

Pretty please will you review the Diana musical on Netflix???

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Coming soon 👀

[@allentate3760]

I saw POTI four times firing the US tour in the 1990s. And our local college and high school each produced nice versions. But I’m devastated now that it’s closing and I may never get I see it again. Do you think there might be a revival after the show closes and rests for a few years?

[@thewiz2003]

Most likely it will be revised. Unforced most likely the west end and budget cut versions. Smaller orchestra as well.

[@lacarlotta6290]

I performed in Phantom in the US in the 1990’s. FYI; * Meg always crawled under the gate to get into the lair. * Christine always lip synched the entire “descent into the lair” scene, as did the Phantom up to when he bids her to sing. I worked with Christines who didn’t have a high E and needed technical assistance, and others who easily could have sung the whole thing 8 shows a week if needed. It was just the policy.

[@squackysquicker9250]

My vocal coach was a broadway and tour Don Attilio. He said it was not uncommon for Christine's to record high C and they would cheat it up to the E on the recording. Meanwhile we got most Carlotta's doing the E eight times a week no alternate. Singing the entirety of Hannibal is hard enough but then you get the joy of Prima Donna and Il Muto back to back. I've always felt Carlotta needs an alternate more than Christine with her one live high C. Carlotta has 5 high D's in act one alone.

[@antheiheiant]

Wow - 2 shopstops in 2 nights.

[@oliviahamilton8654]

I hope it would impair audience members enjoyment of the show when they realize that they are being moved closer and closer to theatre karaoke, but their ticket prices are not getting any cheaper. The SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes are largely about the same thing that the musicians are dealing with: being replaced by technology so that rich men can get even more rich.

[@ErinLovegood73]

I got to sit in the front row for one show: Bye Bye Birdie starring Tommy Tune and Ann Reinking (Two dancing legends in a show with some nice dancing moments. ) Worst seating ever. Couldn't see their feet.

[@lizziefurzer-pickett1802]

I can’t say how I know but I can confirm that the title song is lip synced, it’s the same on Broadway too👀

[@blissinchains]

It's always been, hasn't it? It's super obvious in the 25th as well. I'm sad they've cut the doubles everywhere, too.

[@jameswilson3370]

I’m a hardcore Phan, and while I haven’t seen the revamped show, i have seen a lot of footage. I fully support the changes that have been made. I’m sad to hear the angel is gone, but the Pegasus statue is very impressive in the footage I’ve seen. I always thought the original chandelier’s shape and look was a bit awkward too and I think the new one looks way better. Overall I think the show still retains Maria Bjornson’s vision and aesthetic, and would still call it “the brilliant original.” I think you summed up the whole orchestra conundrum perfectly. I feel bad for those who have lost a job, but at the end of the day show business and job security were never really synonymous. I have heard the audio from the show and I think the orchestrations sound just as good as ever. Synthesized music has come along way in recent years and I’m all for it being utilized.

[@adam4757]

I disagree with your view on the orchestra. To me it DOES sound different. The brass and woodwind are much reduced (no trumpets for example). It lacks the colour it used to have. It is still beautiful, but I disagree it sounds "as good as ever". Funny how Broadway, which is more expensive to run from what I understand, is managing to keep its full orchestra and presumably will still be able to combine job security and show business.

[@jameswilson3370]

@@adam4757 I wish we would get the revamped version over the show in NY. Some of the set pieces are a bit dingy. Phantom always had an uncommonly large pit, and for 25+ years has provided job security for many musicians. Like you said, it can obviously continue to be that way since NY is carrying on with the original orchestrations, but I just don’t think it’s terrible that executives want to cut costs where they can, especially after providing 25+ years of employment. What other musical has run that long? Usually musicians (or anyone working in a show) is lucky to have a job for a couple of years before heading to the next project. I haven’t heard the new orchestrations in person, so I might have a new opinion after that. But I still stand by what I said that what I have heard sounds beautiful.

[@blissinchains]

@@jameswilson3370 Sooo those musicians deserve to be kicked to the curb by a billionaire who doesn't need to cut costs and be told by said billionaire that they're has-beens (even though they clearly still have incredible talent) and don't deserve to put food on the table? That's bs.

[@jameswilson3370]

@@blissinchains Yes, that’s exactly what I said. Starve the musicians.

[@islanangle1404]

I was supposed to go on Friday but I caught COVID 😭😭😭

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Oh noooo! So sorry to hear that, hope you're doing okay and you're able to go see the show soon!

[@derekllewellyn6663]

It's looks like universal studios hollywood safe the phantom of the opera are there maze party oasr awesome picture awards TCM hollywood movies on Netflix jackie scary Mary part of the world part time past queen Mary ship it take to make sure most amazing maze in lullaby made into store story about how much money app magic key

[@natashakingston8302]

I was so looking forward to going back to it. Now with covid I'm not sure it's safe.

[@jennifer-annehunter2827]

I always thought the end of title song was lip-synched, as many actresses couldn't reach the final high note. Seen it 3 times and want to see it again. Love the show xx

[@karenday8931]

I'm not sure it's so much the actress not reaching that high note, but to protect her voice, esp performing 6x week (other 2 performances by the alternate). Could be wrong though.

[@jennifer-annehunter2827]

@@karenday8931 I never thought about it like that...

[@rhiannonj2918]

They can reach it, it’s about protecting their voice

[@jennifer-annehunter2827]

@@rhiannonj2918 I can understand the need to protect the voice thank you 😊

[@muriloraggio]

Na verdade, ao menos aqui no Brasil, a parte da música principal foi totalmente dublada. Isso eu posso dizer em razão das minhas fontes serem super confiáveis. Então, creio que seja assim no mundo todo também. Na realidade, a explicação que me deram é que existem muitas coisas em cena para acontecer durante a música principal. Desde os atores alternantes que aparecem muito acima do palco, em baixa iluminação, fazendo as vezes de Christine e Phantom, enquanto os principais estão se preparando la em baixo para surgirem no barco que 'navegará' entre as velas do cenário. Até mesmo por razões técnicas vocais, porque pense só.. é a música chave de ouro do musical, que não pode falhar. Por mais preparados que sejam os cantores, estamos falando sobre voz e ela, humanamente, pode apresentar problemas, principalmente quando elevada em tons tão agudos, como é o caso da parte final da Christine na música principal. Então, sim, é pré-gravado! Foi assim aqui no Brasil e provavelmente é assim no mundo todo.

[@leadingblind1629]

Hi!!! I am a very long time phantom of the Opera story fan, introduced through the alw show. But the alw show is not the be all and all of phantom media for me anymore. It's somewhere in the top 10, but that's as much as I can say at this point. That being said, there was a non reproductive show of phantom that was performed in hungary. You can find bootleg clips of it on yt. I believe that the phantom actor is named Sandor Sadasvari. Anyways, I would absolutely much appreciate it if you would take a glimpse of any of those clips, particularly the final layer scene, and maybe just give me your own personal opinion on it. I have extraordinarily mixed feelings. Which is an amazing thing to feel when you love so many different versions of phantom the way I do.

[@MsCharley13]

I thought it was lip synced and Meg crawling under the lattice is new. Don’t start on the orchestra! My husband wrote a lecture to Cameron complaining 😂 we went last Wednesday. We where in the grand circle and the orchestration wasn’t that good.

[@brxzbze]

The orchestration is pretty weird now and there are quite a few changes in terms of music direction I really don't like -- they definitely could have done a better job hiding the fact that the orchestra was halved...

[@Waggers789]

Curious did Macintosh write back

[@alainaheacock3321]

Last time I saw it which would be my 30,times considering I worked on bk in 2005. I took my ex to see it. In Los Angeles . 2 yrs ago . And the phantom during music of the night he picks her up and lay's her on a bed . And I was disappointed that the chandelier no longer fell. Plus no red death costume for the phantom. Seemed like I was watching Jerry Butler... Good performance but some things best be left alone . I wasn't assumed by the new concept. Plus he didn't have his thrown he disappeared in. But I respect my company I worked for. I worked back stage. In a few tours. Worked with Brad little .. Ramin... Etc... I knew when I was 12 I wanted to be apart of this. I'm a opera singer but I loved working behind the scenes. The most I was disappointed in is the Las Vegas production. Ugh.

[@StephShrubb]

Recently saw it for the 5th time in the West End. Yeah not such a fan of the changes because I felt they were not improvements but deteriorations (is that a word?!). Sacrifices. The last time I saw it was the 30th anniversary gala with Celinde Shoenmaker who was divine, and after the show they did the gala performance with loads of previous stars including John Owen Jones and Sierra 😍. It was always going to be impossible to top or even equal that memory. It just wasn't as lush 😔

[@kieranfitzsimmons7461]

Can you please do a review of, Diana: the musical on Netflix? I personally loved it but alot of other people have clashing opinions and I would love to hear yours

[@manyagaver1946]

Here for key changes for the singers especially when it doesn’t really matter. As a singer, my guess is that the style of the part that they changed sat in a part of her voice (one of her passagios) that doesn’t work as well/easily as the new key. Spoken singing in your passagio can be not fun especially if you are doing it a lot multiple times a week and since it doesn’t matter they may have changed it to make it more suited for her voice