Thomas Schulze and Maike Switzer - Final Lair

[@sydneylenore9430]

I love the symbolism behind the third kiss. While the Phantom is saying, "I love you." Christine is kind of saying in her own way that she loves him as well and accepts him but it's "better this way". I absolutely love it. This Christine seems to have so much compassion for the Phantom and that just touches my heart.

[@eristineforever6934]

Sydney Lenore it touches my heart too. I wish other Christine’s could be like this too. Not every woman who plays her obviously. Just some.

[@yancyc.7899]

Somehow she delivers the same compassion that Sierra Boggess showed as Christine in the 25th anniv

[@eristineforever6934]

Yancy Catacata I never thought of that. Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess are my favorite Phantom and Christine by the way. I very strongly believe that they are soulmates and should be together because they have such chemistry both on and off the stage. I know it is wrong of me to believe this because Ramin is already happily married and has a son but I just can’t help it.

[@patriciaaudreygonzaga4657]

This is definitely the Sweetest final lair scene EVER!!!!

[@CamilleNadia]

A lot of the Phantom' s most popular gestures were ad-libbed by one and picked up by the others once word spread of how well-received it was. I wonder why Christines haven't followed suit with this third kiss. And it's not just the kiss, it's how clearly worried she is about him and reluctant to leave him in the state he's in.

[@PrismsofGlass]

+Camille McKenzie I imagine because, while some gestures for the Phantom might work for almost all interpretations, a third kiss and being reluctant to leave the Phantom does not work for all Christines. That clearly shows a Christine who is *very* sympathetic to the Phantom, and not all actresses interpret her that way; I've seen some who look like they want nothing more than to get out of the lair. But it works for them and it worked for their interpretation, and a third kiss would completely confuse it (and the audience).

[@LOVxxE]

OH-MY-GOD! I LOVE THIS CHRISTINE! I love the way she is unsure if she should leave him! I'm so happy I found a Christine who plays it how I would!

[@tylercooper6611]

I was lucky enough to have had performance lessons with Thomas. He is such a lovely man and an excellent teacher

[@AmintaDax]

Oh Gott, dass muss toll gewesen sein! Er hat auf der Bühne eine unglaubliche Präsenz.

[@spheater]

A THIRD KISS Boys my heart is dead

[@hannaherickson8609]

I love how smooth the motions are between the first kiss, the hug and the second kiss. I like how it's not over the top.

[@r3dscarf]

Just when I thought I couldn't have my heart broken any more by this scene...

[@operaghosting5946]

this is probably my favorite final lair ever. i just adore maike's christine, she’s so compassionate and gentle but also so strong and determined and i love it.

[@Mayim1982]

There are several more things that move me... the line "that face..." sung higher than usual (I heard it only on CD of Canadian production and then here)... the moment when Phanthom - after the second kiss - touches Christine's face,,, and about 10:23, when he's "showing" the ring to the monkey... Wonderful version, as well as all German versions I saw here.

[@ashareeoo]

It's not very often that you get to see something different in terms of staging, characterization, and vocalization. So exciting! I was just thinking yesterday about how unfortunate it was that I've seen so many final lairs that I'd stopped being moved by the scene years ago. But this version definitely stirred some feelings! Wonderful work.

[@chickletsushi2761]

The last part where they sing all I ask of you is pure angelic. Imagine listening to something so beautiful while being in the pits of your own hell.

[@PhantomifyEponine]

No words can describe what I feel right now. :(

[@Janethedream]

One of the best final lairs i have seen. Heartbreaking.

[@Felizce]

This reminds me of Ramin Karimloo's performance in the 25th anniversary. So real, raw, heartbreaking, and just awesome. Love this interpretation of the Phantom and Christine.

[@alexbluthgen3267]

Sehr gut!! Thomas Schulze hat für mich mit seiner "Final Lair" eine Interpretation des "Phantoms" geliefert, die ich noch nie ansatzweise zuvor gesehen habe...Er hat ihm einen ganz neuen Glanz, eine völlig andere Farbe gegeben...Seine wirklich ganz eigene Persönlichkeit- das merkt man ganz deutlich und das schätze ich sehr. Ich würde sehr gerne auch eine vollständige Aufführung mit ihm sehen; das wäre mir ein großes Vergnügen, wenn das noch einmal klappen würde. Er hatte das "Phantom" bereits in den 1990er-Jahren in Hamburg an der Neuen Flora gespielt und bis 2004 schließlich in Stuttgart als alternierendes "Phantom" neben Ian Jon Bourg als Zweitbesetzung. Also, wie gesagt eine sehr gute Darstellung, die mich sehr beeindruckt; wenn es auch nur das Finale ist! Carsten Lepper (Raoul) hat Patrick Wilson 2004 in derselben Rolle in Joel Schumachers Verfilmung auch synchronisiert.

[@sydneylenore9430]

This is kind of my new favorite thing to listen to and watch.

[@michaelkluth3243]

The best acted final lair I've seen so far.

[@phantomfanxd565]

Oh my God! A third Kiss great!! ♡♥

[@eristineforever6934]

The third kiss is awesome. I was never expecting that. Why can't the third kiss be in every production of this amazing musical ?

[@PrismsofGlass]

Because not every actress plays their Christine as one who wants to be with the Phantom. (And not every actor plays their Phantom as someone who could even have a healthy, functional relationship.)

[@eristineforever6934]

Glass Prism I know. I wish they could though. Even though they don't, I very strongly believe that Christine is in love with the Phantom and wanted to be with him. In some showings, she either almost puts the ring back on or almost touches the Phantom's disfigured side of his face. In the 25th Anniversary she kisses his hands and then turns away. When she looks back with tears in her eyes he nods his head as if to say, "Go be with Raoul. I'll be fine." Which is obviously a lie and heartbreaking. In others she just runs away from him after giving him back his ring which is so mean, not cool and I completely hate. Team Phantom/Christine forever. I will ship them always. Never Raoul/Christine. Yuck!!! Screw Raoul and he can go to Hell. Sorry if this offends you. It's just how I feel. I am so freaking glad she chooses the Phantom in Love Never Dies. So, so glad.

[@PrismsofGlass]

@@googleuser2874 Are you responding to me, the OP, or the person under me? Because I am perfectly aware of that fact and nothing in my comment suggests that I think Christine kissing the Phantom DOES mean she wants to be with him.

[@grace5199]

@@eristineforever6934 Yeah, how DARE she choose a man who loves her dearly and is willing to protect her rather than an emotionally abusive serial killer?

[@blissinchains]

@@grace5199 Oh yes, because he's totally Charles fucking Manson. Raoul is a narcissistic, controlling piece of shit. And by modern ""progressive"" standards, neither of them are good enough for her. How DARE one portrayal of the character reflect that maybe she had deeper feelings for her teacher than the upperclass asshole who won't leave her alone?

[@amidala904]

most heartbreaking moment is when Christine returns, and he holds his arms out like he expects her to embrace him again, but she just hands him the ring. love the third kiss. I hate that the restaged version has cut the kiss down to only one. I hate many things about the restaged version actually. there are bits added that are clearly trying to tie it into love never dies, which doesn't bother me, but it's pretty clear in the u.s. tour version(the current one - not the earlier replica tours) that Christine doesn't want to stay with the Phantom. with love never dies set to tour the u.s. starting next year, that's going to be confusing to audiences. the final lair should play out like it did here, or how it did during the 25th anniversary production, for audiences to buy that Christine goes back and has sex with him. okay, fine, and I'm an Erik / Christine shipper and just want to see it done that way. :)

[@corneliahindemith9741]

Omg a third kiss!!! Why can't all the Christine's do that?

[@PrismsofGlass]

Because that might show the Christine loved the Phantom, and not all Christines go for that interpretation.

[@corneliahindemith9741]

Oh yeah I guess that might be it, but I think she does love him, she just does'nt know how too or love him the way he wants her to love him. :)

[@christophercosplays]

Man, I want to see this as a full show. I want to see how hard the feels will hit me with this cast.

[@DarthxErik]

wow the way he is affected by the kiss... contrasts so well with the way he brutally treats Christine before that. Laughing in her face, manhandling her... it's incredible.

[@DarthxErik]

what a heartbreaking performance!!! T_T *bawls*

[@nowhereghostblues]

I love the movement in this.. Here I see the phantom as a driven mad. It's all in the interpretation and I love this.

[@eristineforever6934]

There is no other Final Lairs like this one at all.

[@theadae2494]

Omg this is so perfect

[@wifelytaemin]

this whole lair is perfect oh my god especially the ending just the ending broke me as a human being

[@olympusmons15]

Oh man, the way the Phantom leaned into Christine at 5:36 - that would just send chills up my spine!

[@AdiyanaSantiago]

Even in a different language this scene still rocks!

[@navidnamini1169]

Thomas Schulze was the best international phantom

[@kerstinsigurursdottir5803]

❤Oh.... So schön. Ich mag Thomas sehr.... Und ein 3. Kuss.... ❤️‍🔥

[@jennyjpbr]

Que lindo esse final lair. Um dos melhores que já vi. O fantasma depois do segundo beijo, ele querendo abraçar a Christine quando ela volta para devolver o anel, o terceiro beijo, o fantasma mostrando o anel para o macaco... partiu meu coração em mil pedaços 💔😭

[@Mabu.pie656]

ele mostrou o anel pro macaco msm não tinha reparado kkkkkkkkkkk

[@eriksmine]

I love that the boat moves alone with raoul and christine in it!:p

[@sabrat]

I loved it when Christine kisses him again before she leaves.

[@Phantom2687]

I think this christine really wanted to stay with phantom

[@xgrlgamerx]

The third kiss should be in every adaptation! lol

[@sMeisle]

when this was performed, there was no Sequel

[@eristineforever6934]

Wait a minute!! It looks like in this version Christine wants to stay with the Phantom. She's about to walk toward him but Raoul stops her. When that happens she looks at him, shakes her head no and tries again but then he grabs her once more and makes her run with him. He doesn't want her to be with him. What a JERK!!!!! Team Phantom/Christine forever.

[@iSHiNE2011]

That kiss was fantastic. So passionate. I loved it!

[@BlushGush]

A kiss number 3?? Holy bejesus!!

[@bawoman]

Ooh a 3rd kiss, me likey!

[@Phantom2687]

And just when i tought i wouldn like this musical in a different language than english....

[@doc_1116]

Just when I thought I would hate the German version.... Well well how the tables turned

[@moiraodell7884]

I did NOT see that third kiss coming!

[@PrismsofGlass]

I'm aware of that...? I was responding to the OP who thought that the musical TODAY should be changed to accommodate the sequel.

[@iSHiNE2011]

Three kisses?! OMG!

[@Phantom2687]

@olympusmons15 Omg, yes! if just all the phantoms did it like that..omg...

[@PrismsofGlass]

As much as I like the uniqueness of that action, I'd prefer people not try and tie in the original with the sequel. (If anything, it should be the other way around...) Leave it as is, with plenty of room for ambiguity and for the actress to come up with her own thing.

[@Mistardmuster]

wHAT? WHAT?!

[@AlphieLJ]

I think the third kiss should be in the script now. Especially since ALW believes that Christine does come back to the Phantom later.

[@iSHiNE2011]

The Phantom has a fantastic voice!

[@FioreArdente]

@claudiatoman No one can top Peter Karrie in "wildy waved arms" :)

[@isabellevasquez7433]

Sierra and Ramin will always be the absolute best in my book but god damn. that hurt.

[@VincentoValentine]

I read the new production of Phantom reduced it down to only one kiss... Ah those good old days...

[@redberry029]

schone

[@VincentoValentine]

It's a shame >.

[@VincentoValentine]

Then they should let them kiss three times, like in this video! God, I hate Love Never Dies! >.

[@redberry029]

schone