Review: Love Never Dies, the ALW Phantom Sequel (2013 Australian Cast)

[@AlbertoFolres]

Neighbor: aaaand there she is inside her car again, talking to herself and ranting about something... 🙄

[@sageantone7291]

Would have been even better if she did it with a Phantom mask on.

[@chrisdigitalartist]

Haha. Jerome Weiselberry said, " No no - there shouldn't be a sequel to this play - nay nay nay! " But after watching, she didn't hate the musical as a whole, okay? And then Jerome's small heart grew three sizes that day," LOL

[@Brontedreamer94]

I love your review on this, this is exactly how I felt at first. I watched it but wished that Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess were the Phantom and Christine. My fave phantom and Christine. Love Ramin singing Till I Hear You sing. Love Ramin. I didn't like the story but loved the music. It is starting to grow on me but the ending of the Phantom of the Opera is the best. I always cry. I don't know what I would do, I have asked myself this a few times. I see Love Never Dies as a good story on it's own as a separate thing/story, however Till I Hear You Sing is amazing. That on its own would have been enough. (Especially Ramin's music video of it.) I still don't know what to think. So many questions!! I also watched/read somewhere that Andrew Lloyed Webber said he wrote it because he felt like he haded't finished with Phantom yet.

[@APerezSoprano]

Lone never dies is my guilty pleasure. I got introduced to Phantom (i had seen the film but not the show) around the time when the Australian production was happening, I had heard the original london cast and i wasn’t too keen to it, but the dvd of the Australian production came out i was right in the middle of my phantom obsession and now the actors are doing live streams talking about the show and sharing anecdotes, a lot of people are doing reviews and talking about it and it makes me feel very nostalgic. The plot is BAAAAD but i really enjoy it.

[@Lina43]

Thank you very much for the review, my feelings are very much aligned with yours except that I found even fewer redeeming qualities in Love Never Dies (I actually only like the song Once Upon Another Time from it). After watching a few of your reviews I am reminded of Jane Bennet who is at once truthful and sincere while also being able to see something good and positive, able to put it kindly which quality I admire greatly. Personally, my biggest objection to this sequel is that it painfully undermines the complexity of Phantom of the Opera turning it into a kitchen sink drama and thus smashing any symbolism or deeper meaning to pieces in the first 30 minutes. Indeed, if it were a separate story it would be very different and would have so much merit as an independent work of art. Phantom of the Opera seems to me a story on four levels - a romantic story of two childhood sweethearts reuniting with Phantom being the villain putting obstacles in their way, a story about loss and dealing with it (particularly expressed in Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again), a story about being an artist, the deep meaning that art can have to us, the connection and bond that it creates between people, search for expression and recognition and a story of deformity, our obsession with beauty and the norm, terror of physical ugliness and rejection of those who are different and who must perforce become "other" and can be treated as if humanity does not apply to them. I somehow always thought that Phantom (in the musical) is a sympathetic villain because his motives were predominantly artistic and he was suffering from being hated and lack of (or any hope of) recognition and Christine has become for him a fantasy of fulfillment, it didn't seem like it was sexual but mostly focused on art with a confused desire to be accepted. Also, I have recently listened to the Music Of The Night with a new appreciation because there is an element in it about turning away from the mainstream and discovering something deeper and more meaningful although perhaps more terrifying - a metaphor for an alternative lifestyle which may be just my imagination. In any case, the original musical for me has these complex themes and the characters, even the villain, a more symbolic aspect elevated by brilliant music. I will just have to pretend as if Love Never Dies is something else from an alternative Universe and shall draw the veil over the one and only time I saw it (for which opportunity I am exceedingly grateful of course).

[@8114梦见]

Never forget.... “TEN YEARS OOOOOOOLD!!!!!!!!”

[@bettytigers]

Do you think the cat deleted the draft of it because it was purrceived as a potential threat to the longevity of the Cats musical drama theatre run ?

[@peterkarargiris4110]

Lol, ALW's cat deleted all his music! I've never watched anything by Lord Webber, on stage or on TV. Australia went nuts over 'Phantom' when it came out but I've never even heard of this sequel. Great to hear that you get 'snarky' now and then. Cheers from South Australia.

[@clydedisney6569]

Hey Lady, I just want to tell you again how much I do enjoy your reviews! I am a macho tough guy, so I had never read a romance novel, but my sister talked me into a book. It had sci fi so I tried it. I liked it. The title is 'Bid Time Return'. The book was made into the film called 'Somewhere in Time' I was thinking perhaps you might like comparing this film with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymore to that great old classic staring Jenifer Jones and Joseph Cotton called 'Portrait of Jennie' This was a great film with a good music score and a nice supporting roll by Ethel Barrymore. Ok, this is the last time I will talk any mushy stuff! LOL

[@sumo0172]

Thank you for sharing this. Your passion for The Phantom Of The Opera is great. I'm the same way about STAR WARS. I appreciate your openness about voicing your opinions and thoughts about Love Never Dies. I haven't seen it. To be honest only recently did I know that it existed although a friend of mine who is also a Phantom super fan may have mentioned it to me. But more over I appreciate your willingness to give the sequel a fair viewing and try to ignore previous expectations. Was it perfect no. Were there things you hated yes. But was the experience enjoyable most importantly yes. And that is so cool. Trust me I wish more people in the STAR WARS fandom looked at the Prequels and Sequels they way you appreciate Love Never Dies

[@8114梦见]

As a STAR WARS fan, I concur

[@feslenraster]

Some of us was worried that this was your new home haha. anyway, I like your new private set up J; and your passion with this!

[@jaychristiaans2177]

Finally a fair review. When I check reviews its full with hate, but this review is fair because its a good musical only it is not a really good sequel for the poto fans. Btw I think the musical is good, but its more like a musical apart instead of a sequel

[@imissmycerealasmr1681]

I saw Phantom and thought Phantom Menace lol

[@mathildekgm2382]

Hello Jerome, thank you for this video. I've not seen the show, and I don't want to open the Pandore box here, but what you say about this show reminds me very strongly what I think of the JE BBC 2006 - Let's forget it's an adaptation of the Bronte novel, let's forget the period, or what "proper" meant at that period, let's stop thinking "no! " whenever he touches her or calls her Jane, let's say it's taking place in the 1880's. Let's say it's just a fan fiction. And then it works so well, the characters and the story are beautiful and the actors are overwhelming ... (sorry for my poor English) - But I will continue this discussion somewhere else, you may guess where, and try to see this show ... Thank you anyway !

[@bartolomeuomacduibheamhnad6855]

I bought a copy of this on Sky Digital a few years ago, I was very excited to see it especially after hearing it was up for a few Olivier awards, but after reading about its rumoured plot points and hearing how disappointed some fans were with it I put off seeing it, when I eventually watched it I did so with extreme scepticism. I didn't hate it either, I thought it was OK, well maybe a little more if you ignore some of the story lol, it's strange, it's a show where your face scowls at some of the story decisions but your feet tap along happily to the music lol. It's easier to enjoy imagining it as an Elseworld story like in comic books, or mirror universe like Star Trek, although mirror universe phantom would probably have a goatee lol. Always interesting and insightful. ~ Thank you Ms Weiselberry ~

[@Dr5ives]

Watching Your review about a sequel that really wasn't vital, I was so tempted to send You a clip. However, it's not on KZbin, so a brief description might give You a laugh. It was the Original SNL cast, and the sketch was "Citizen Kane 2." In the sketch, they realize Kane had said some "more final words" as he was reminiscing about a really good sandwich way back in the day. And so the shocking "new mystery" was actually the phrase, "Roast Beef,...on Rye,...with Mustard." The sketch ended with a menu from a diner being thrown in a fireplace. I hope in some weird way, You get a laugh out of that. Best to You D5

[@johnzeszut3170]

I saw the silent versen a couple of times and it was a humm-dinger!

[@johnzeszut3170]

Another good idea - our commentator can do a remake of the popular t.v. series of the past "My Mother The Car" whereupon deceased Hollywood stars and starlets would speak to her and give advice!

[@frankg7177]

Thanks for your excellent review! I bought the London Cast album when it came out. At that time, I was horrified by the plot synopsis. That may have affected my view of the music, which I did not find at all memorable. For those reasons, I chose to not watch the Australian production this past week. However, in light of your somewhat positive view of the music, I will take the CDs out again and give it another try. :-) Stay safe.

[@Blutszauger]

She edited out the part where she rips the car door off... heh.

[@williamblakehall5566]

I continue to be no Phantom fan, but I see a "Romey" video and I'm intrigued. My rant from the last time, about "retconning" and all that razzmatazz, feels downright prophetic here. All I know about Love Never Dies is that it was the phrase used in the advertising for Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula. I really perked up when you said this was based on a Frederick Forsyth novel, because in his time, especially the Sixties and Seventies, Forsyth wrote at least five great thrillers about spies, assassins, and mercenaries, four of which became decent movies with varying strengths and qualities. The fact he wrote this novel fifteen whole years after what I consider to be his last good work suggests to me that this may have been for him a somewhat cynical project -- in fact, the Wiki article about his Phantom novel suggests that it can be taken as a satire of period novels. So perhaps he -- and Webber -- could simply have left well enough alone. Yet someone may simply have figured, Hey, it has the names Webber and Forsyth attached, and we can summon some excellent music and performances, so surely we can squeeze something out of this. I'm not sure what's worse -- when showbiz fails blatantly at exploitation, or when it half-fails in such a way that you're stuck in a kind of limbo, feeling little more than Ehh ... ! Trouble is, I'm feeling a whole lot of Ehh ... ! these days, I'm not sure I ever had to put up with so much of it in my life, so it is not a good trend. All right, I feel sorry you had to put up with that, but I have hope for the future. Owl be seeing you.

[@DAVIDDOSBORNE]

This was a great review,I wish I had a car to sit in when reviewing.

[@ChildOfTheFlower]

I always enjoy watching your videos even if I disagree with some aspects. LND is a bit of a mixed bag for me, when I first heard of it's existence back in 2008, I was ready to loathe and not even acknowledge it. Then I hearing it came out in London, I was curious and missed the London production by a month which was a regret I had where my sister got the Australian production when it came out later on. Story wise, it is a mess where I have read better fanfics and I didn't like what was done to my girl Meg or Raoul (and I like a good Raoul bashing as much as the next person) and Erik comes off as somewhat toothless in this (did anyone really think he would harm Gustav?). However, the production design is gorgeous to look at, the circus portions in Beauty Underneath I do hope one day to see that done in Broadway or a cinema adaptation because it begs for it. Devil takes the Hindmost and Til I Hear You Sing are songs I always put on in the background. I think the problem with this sequel is that because it rides the coattails of Phantom, it doesn't work in the characters acting the way they do. Had LND been it's own story as a "spiritual sequel" or a third rewrite, this production could have been salvaged. Did you ever get the impression Madam Giry's characterization was projecting the fans who were loyal to the Phantom? She is too much of a sycophant where I half expected her to have called out Christine on her choice.

[@winterburden]

I trust your Phantom reviews more than anyone's! Thanks for explaining why you're in the car, take care 🤗

[@jacobdevine9031]

Mystery? more like mister, Why!?

[@eristineforever6934]

I LOVE Love Never Dies so much. I watch it all the time, listen to the soundtrack all the time, sing Christine’s lines, got to see it Live for the first time back in 2018 in Las Vegas at the Smith Center with my mom, read fan fiction about it, get fan art, etc... By the way, I also ship Erik (Phantom) and Christine as a couple that should be together. Just saying. I’ll probably get hate or whatever but I don’t care. They are my OTP always and forever. Nothing and no one can change my mind.

[@Weiselberry]

Hey, you won't get any hate here if I have anything to say about it! That's cool that you got to see it live.

[@eristineforever6934]

Jerome Weiselberry Thank you so much. Do you want to know the cast of Love Never Dies I saw and who they played?

[@Weiselberry]

@@eristineforever6934 Sure! Do tell. :)

[@eristineforever6934]

Jerome Weiselberry OH MY DISNEY! Yay! Ok. Here it is - * Gardar Thor Cortes - The Phantom * Meghan Picerno - Christine Daae * Sean Thompson - Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny * Jake Heston Miller/Casey Lyons - Gustave (Jake for act 1 and most of act 2. Casey for the rest of Act 2.) * Karen Mason - Madame Giry * Mary Michael Patterson - Meg Giry * Stephen Petrovich - Gangle * Richard Koons - Squelch * Katrina Kemp - Fleck Ensemble - Chelsey Arce, Diana Dimarzio, Tyler Donahue, Yesy Garcia, Tamar Greene, Natalia Lepore Hagan, Lauren Lukacek, Alyssa McAnany, Rachel Anne Moore, Bronson Norris Murphy, Dave Schoonover, John Swapshire IV, Kelly Swint, Lucas Thompson, Arthur Wise

[@Weiselberry]

Hm, well, I don't think I've heard of any of those performers, ha. But that's neat. Do they usually change Gustaves partway through? And if you don't mind my asking, how would you say the staging and such compares to the filmed Australian production?

[@snoo333]

Who would choose for the lead in a movie version. Ron Perlman or Gerard Butler? That color suites you. thank you

[@damienfenton3880]

Hi there, I'm pretty knowledgeable about movies post 1960 but not so much for the golden era. I'm currently working my way though Hitchcock's movies (your Hitchcock series is a great companion to that, thank you). Would you consider doing a video on what you consider to be the top 10 essential golden era movies, maybe with a few hidden gems and limited to just one of HItchcock's movies because he could fill the entire list. With a lot of people spending more time at home at the moment, such a list might make an interesting and enticing playlist for people wanting to expand their exposure of classics from the 30s, 40s and 50s; and I can't think of a better curator than you. Just a thought. All the best, Damien.

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you, that's a very flattering request! I have a little trouble making such lists because I tend to be indecisive, plus I'm afraid of either leaving out a personal favorite or passing over a movie others consider essential. But I'll continue to give it thought and maybe I'll be able to come up with something. :)

[@WolfGratz]

Comments in advance of review. Let it go Andrew, for Pete's sake let it go. Goes to watch review.

[@WolfGratz]

Afterwards - good try but nope, still hate it cos in the immortal words of E.N.Forster, almost, a musical tells a story. And though some of the music here may be ok (if vaguely familiar) the story still sucks and dumps on previous work. It is the Alien 3 of musicals and I reject it.

[@G_Nono7777]

@@WolfGratz Not even that: this is the Alien vs Predator of musicals. I'm usually pretty open minded, but here I find it very difficult to comprehend how someone could completely and unironically enjoy this. 😅

[@TheMsiaddict]

You'll be emotional if you keep connecting to POTO. It's more like Susan Kay's Phantom alternative Version. But music, and stage are wonderful.

[@felixthecat2786]

It was a complete dumpster fire. It's like they took the worst sequel concepts ever conceived and threw them all into one musical. I was underwhelmed by the songs and musical arrangement.

[@amylemcoauthor]

I would be less bothered if it had not been ALW who wrote the sequel--how is that the continuation of your adaptation?!...it made far more sense as a continuation of the book, where Raoul is awful, total red flag creep. But the stage adapt makes him a more serious rival IMO which I like because I feel more torn for C between her choices.

[@niallboyle5211]

This musical was dead on arrival. 😢

[@eristineforever6934]

I completely hate when people hate on Love Never Dies. This musical is so amazing, beautiful, powerful, emotional, and hypnotic. By the way, I sing Christine’s lines all the time (both from The Phantom of the Opera AND Love Never Dies). I am completely, utterly, and hopelessly obsessed with The Phantom of the Opera (the Andrew Lloyd Webber version). I am also completely on Team Erik (Phantom) and completely ship Erik and Christine. Always have and always will.

[@brxzbze]

hm out of curiosity why do you ship it so hard?

[@eristineforever6934]

@@brxzbze to be honest I haven’t thought about the reasons in a long time. I just know that every time I see Erik and Christine together my heart pounds really fast and I do a fan girl squeal and a happy dance. When I see Raoul and Christine together, I get mad, irritated, yell at my iPad or tv, and just want to barf and cry. I have never been the type of person who ships couples that are canon and/or endgame. There are few exceptions, though, like Francis/Mary from Reign. I’m more into couples like Edward Scissorhands/Kim, Prince Leon/Bella, Goliath/Elisa Masa, Vincent/Catherine Chandler, V/Evey, Dracula/Mina, etc.. Sorry I got off topic there. I just wanted to let you know that I have always leaned more toward guys who are beasts, deformed, disfigured, misunderstood. Those type of guys. I don’t know. Oh gosh! Lol! I don’t know if I am making any sense.

[@DupontandLowesWarrior]

Is This Your Car?

[@GoGreen1977]

That's okay, I'll skip it.

[@aluminumfence]

Any plans on discussing Brian Di-Palma and Paul Williams 1974 Rock Horror Musical version of Phantom, "Phantom of the Paradise"? kzbin.info/www/bejne/imrcoJlumNyfn5Y Also, I'd love to see you, Jenny Nicholson and Adorkable Rachel all do a collab on Phantom, that would be so se...uh I mean interesting. jk. :)

[@Weiselberry]

Yes, I plan to watch Phantom of the Paradise sometime.

[@LSUfan]

@@Weiselberry It's one of my favorite movies !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See it ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!