Recommending Love Never Dies Theatre Breaks Love Never Dies is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s not exactly sequel to Phantom of the Opera. I saw it in previews, liked it very much but was not quite ready to recommend it for theatre breaks fans. I wanted to see if the show settled down and to let ‘his Lordship’ make the inevitable changes a preview period brings. Now the show has settled and people are happily booking their Love Never Dies theatre breaks and having a great time. ** Book Love Never Dies Theatre Breaks ** The Story of Love Never Dies Set on Coney Island, New York some 10 years after the events of Phantom, Love Never Dies is a more grown-up story of love. It has lost some of the teenage fascination with the Gothic that is such a huge part of the power of Phantom and in its place there is a much more human set of characters. There are plenty of places online where you can find a synopsis of the story but my advice is to go to the show without any preconceptions and enjoy it for what it is, a powerful piece of theatre, full of spectacle and gorgeous music. Love Never Dies Music I just adored the music. Some people thought there were not enough memorable tunes but my house rang to much whistling and humming for days after we saw the show. I think the music is more interesting and I actually enjoyed it more than Phantom (gasp!). Speaking of the gorgeous music just listen to the divine voice of Sierra Boggess: Click here to view the embedded video. Oh and how about the utterly wonderful Ramin Karimloo: Click here to view the embedded video. And that’s without mentioning the great performance of Summer Strallen as Meg Girey! Love Never Dies theatre stage set I thought the set was mostly wonderful. There’s good use of back projection and special effects but it’s the Art Nouveau aspects that just blew me away. Some of the sets looked like exquisite pieces of Art Nouveau jewelry or spectacular Tiffany lampshades. At times I was reminded of the film set of Moulin Rouge, but then I loved that too! It made a wonderful backdrop for the passionate story. A big question: One show or two? I know people were worried that they haven’t seen Phantom and would find it hard to follow the story. In our party we had someone who had never seen Phantom and she said that within the first ten minutes she had worked out enough to make sense of what was happening. She didn’t feel that not knowing the back story spoiled her enjoyment at all. Having read all the fuss about certain bloggers and forums I think there have been more problems with the devoted ‘Phans’. They’ve had to let go of their preconceptions about what the Phantom could be like and his relationship to Christine. People were too quick to judge a show that was still being ‘tweaked’ and seem to have forgotten that Phantom had its share of problems when it opened. I’ve seen both shows and I think the ideal solution is a double show theatre break. No one is offering one yet but there are rumblings from one or two of the agencies. Never fear as soon as they are available I’ll let you know! ** Book Love Never Dies Theatre Breaks ** a
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
Love Never Dies Theatre Breaks
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/love-never-dies-theatre-breaks.html
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- Theatre Breaks
- reviews
- New York
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- Ramin Karimloo
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Love Never Dies
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- Christine
- Summer Strallen
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- Love Never Dies Phantom 2
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March 28 2010, 10:16am | Comments »
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I posted to loveneverdiesphantom.co.uk
Love Never Dies Opens in One Week
http://www.loveneverdiesphantom.co.uk/love-never-dies/love-never-dies-opens-in-one-week
Love Never Dies the new Phantom musical will open in London on Tuesday 9th March, just one week’s time. So what will the critics and press reviews make of it? Well in many ways, it doesn’t really matter because, having seen one of the early previews and loved it all, especially the score, I’m certain that the great British musical theatre going public is going to really enjoy this musical extravaganza. It’s a modern production that builds on the language of musicals and delights the eye and ear, while twisting the emotions appropriately as the plot unfolds. There were one or two effects that didn’t work quite as well as others, but from all accounts the show had already improved considerably on the first preview, and it’s now a case of tweaking a show that is ready for the world rather than implementing any big last minute redesigns. Maybe if you go and see Love Never Dies in three months time, for a summer theatre break, it will be a more mature production, perhaps with a new final ensemble or something to smooth over any slight disappointments, but the characters are set and most importantly, the music is a final piece that holds together very well. I’ll be throroughly recommending Love Never Dies as a new musical top choice choice for London theatre breaks.
Technorati Tags: extravaganza, london, london theatre, Love Never Dies, March, music, musical, musicals, phantom, score
March 2 2010, 7:38am | Comments »
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I posted to loveneverdiesphantom.co.uk
Katherine Jenkins sings Love Never Dies (on ice)
http://www.loveneverdiesphantom.co.uk/love-never-dies/katherine-jenkins-sings-love-never-dies-on-ice
As the build up to the official opening of Love Never Dies gathers pace, Andrew Lloyd Webber has been on TV promoting the new Phantom musical with not one but two soprano Divas over the weekend. On Friday Night with Jonathan Ross he accompanied Sierra Boggess, the leading lady from the Adelphi Theatre London where previews are currently underway. Sierra sang the title track “Love Never Dies” beautifully again, and then on ITV’s “Dancing On Ice” show, Lord Webber played the piano again but this time with acclaimed classical soprano Katherine Jenkins singing her own unique interpretation of the now more familiar “Love Never Dies” song.
The performance was also interpreted visually by none other than Ice dance superstars Torvill and Dean.
Technorati Tags: Adelphi Theatre, adelphi theatre london, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Christopher Dean, dancing on ice, friday night with jonathan ross, Jayne Torvill, katherine jenkins, leading lady, Love Never Dies, phantom, Sierra Boggess, soprano, Torvill and Dean, youtube
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- YouTube
- phantom
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Love Never Dies
- Sierra Boggess
- Adelphi Theatre
- adelphi theatre london
- Christopher Dean
- dancing on ice
- friday night with jonathan ross
- Jayne Torvill
- katherine jenkins
- leading lady
- soprano
- Torvill and Dean
March 1 2010, 12:57pm | Comments »
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I posted to theatrebreaksltb.co.uk
Love Never Dies moves into The Adelphi Theatre
http://theatrebreaksltb.co.uk/229/love-never-dies-moves-into-the-adelphi-theatre/
Love Never Dies, the new musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber which continues the story from The Phantom Of The Opera, is moving into the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End.
The show opens in March 2010.
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- adelphi
- London
- west end
- phantom
- Phantom of the Opera
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Love Never Dies
- theatre in london
- Adelphi Theatre
- love
- Theatre London
- Moving
- Phantom Opera
- West End Gallery
February 10 2010, 5:36am | Comments »
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I posted to theatrebreaks.co
London Theatre Breaks – Legally Blonde, Dirty Dancing, Love Never Dies or Misanthrope
Here is a selection of London Theatre Breaks bargains with show tickets and hotel included. Love Never Dies Love Never Dies Ticket & 3*, £99.50pp Show available from 26th March to 23rd October Andrew Lloyd Webber’s eagerly awaited new musical continues the life of The Phantom of the Opera. There is no need to say anymore, book your tickets today for March 26th showing, where the Phantom sets out to prove that infact, Love Never Dies…
Dirty Dancing Dirty Dancing Ticket & 3*, £130.50pp Show available until 23rd October Seen by millions across the globe this worldwide smash-hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Legally Blonde Legally Blonde Ticket & 3*, £86.50pp Show available until 23rd October The cult classic movie of the 90’s comes to the West End! Legally Blonde the musical tells the story of ditzy blonde Elle Woods (Sheriden Smith) having been dumped by boyfriend Warner (Duncan James from boyband blue) follows him to Harvard law school in a bid to win him back! The Misanthrope The Misanthrope, ticket & 3*, £70.50pp Show available until 12th March 2010 The Misanthrope tells the story of a British playwright (Damian Lewis) fuelled and angered by the narcissistic contemporary world, vowing to reject all society…until he falls in love with socialite and ambitious actress Jennifer (Keira Knightley) who will prove to be his biggest challenge yet!
- Tags:
- Theatre Breaks
- London Theatre Breaks
- London
- Dirty Dancing
- west end
- phantom
- Love Never Dies
- love
- Blonde
- Dirty
- Legally
- Misanthrope
February 8 2010, 9:57am | Comments »
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I posted to loveneverdiesphantom.co.uk
Love Never Dies South Bank Show
http://www.loveneverdiesphantom.co.uk/love-never-dies/love-never-dies-south-bank-show
Well here it is, Sierra Boggess singing the theme song to Love Never Dies at the last ever ITV South Bank Show Awards on Sunday Night, January 31st accompanied by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Louise Hunt on two grand pianos.
So what did you think? I was struck by the performance style of Sierra Boggess being reminiscent of the Sarah Brightman who was Andrew Lloyd Webber’s inspiration for the original Phantom of The Opera. The flourishing crescendo of that operetta style is a bit much for my taste just for a few moments but I did recognise a great show tune in there which will have a strong emotional appeal when seen live at the theatre in just a few weeks tine when Love Never Dies opens in London. I did actually start humming the tune the next day after only having heard it once.
Technorati Tags: Andrew LLoyd Webber, itv, london, louise hunt, Love Never Dies, melvyn bragg, phantom, Phantom of the Opera, sarah brightman, Sierra Boggess, south bank show, the phantom of the opera
- Tags:
- London
- phantom
- Phantom of the Opera
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Love Never Dies
- Sierra Boggess
- itv
- louise hunt
- melvyn bragg
- sarah brightman
- south bank show
- the phantom of the opera
February 1 2010, 8:51am | Comments »
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I posted to loveneverdiesphantom.co.uk
Niamh Perry in Love Never Dies
http://www.loveneverdiesphantom.co.uk/love-never-dies/niamh-perry-in-love-never-dies
More of the casting for Love Never Dies has now been announced and it includes one Niamh Perry from the BBC 1 TV search for a star to play Nancy for Oliver the Musical, “I’d Do Anything”. Since Niamh Perry left I’d Do Anything she starred in the West End production of Only the Brave and is currently in the London production of the highly successful musical, Mamma Mia! Love Never Dies will receive it’s world premier on the 9th March 2010 at the Adelphi Theatre and Niamh Perry joins the already announced cast list which includes Ramin Karimloo as The Phantom, Sierra Boggess as Christine, Summer Strallen as Meg Giry, Liz Robertson as Madame Giry and Joseph Milson as Raoul.
Technorati Tags: casting, Love Never Dies, Niamh Perry, phantom
January 1 2010, 10:55am | Comments »
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I posted to theatrebreaks.co
Love Never Dies – the game
http://theatrebreaks.co/104/love-never-dies-the-game/
Love Never Dies is the new musical which continues the story of The Phantom Of The Opera, opening in London in March 2010 with Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is sparing no expense when it comes to the set, cast recording, workshops and anything else necessary to make sure the music lives up to its famously successful precessor at least in some part. Now we have news that the promotional website for Love Never Dies is to include an intricate simulation of the original Coney Island funfair, which is where the Phantom has his domain in the new story. The blog explains: an interactive ‘Coney Island Experience’ is being created which will transport you to the Phantom’s new home, located in the Island’s funfair. By exploring the funfair you will be able to take part in various themed online games and compete with other members of the Love Never Dies Community.
So all you rollercoaster tycoon fans out there have a real theme park mass online dungeon adventure game to look forward to! Wow.
- Tags:
- phantom
- Phantom of the Opera
- Ramin Karimloo
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Love Never Dies
- Sierra Boggess
- coney island
- funfair
- love
- rollercoaster tycoon
- theme park
November 7 2009, 4:05am | Comments »
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I posted to theatrebreaksmag.co.uk
Theatre Breaks Review 2009
http://theatrebreaksmag.co.uk/theatre-breaks-review-2009/
Theatre Breaks Reviewed for 2009 Linda looks back on 2009 for London Theatre Breaks as the top of the year approaches: Winter 2009 is here and I’m just wondering what sort of a year this has been for theatre breaks. There’s been a recent survey that assures us reality TV has actually boosted ticket sales. The box offices are claiming the credit crunch has had little effect on bookings, with most theatres usually full. But what has been the reality? The West End Shows In terms of shows one or two have closed early but the old favourites like We Will Rock You carry on. Avenue Q was saved from oblivion by popular demand and has moved to a new theatre. The Lion King is as popular as ever and proudly boasts that it is so well booked that it has NEVER released tickets to the reduced ticket agencies. Priscilla Queen of the Desert Some good shows reached the end of their natural life and wonderful though Spamalot was it really was time for it to say goodbye. It’s been replaced by Priscilla and that has been a fair swap. Carousel never really quite hit the spot and its closure wasn’t any great surprise. It was sad to see the end of Cabaret and a shame they couldn’t take a leaf out of Chicago’s book and find a constant stream of new familiar faces to keep us going back. Joseph went too and no doubt was mourned by thousands of Lee Mead’s fans but it was another how that seemed ready to go. No doubt it will be back someday. One show I thought should have done better was Spring Awakening, which I just loved. All that energy and a theatre full of young people the night we went. I felt positively ancient, and that’s a good thing! (honest!) Oliver has of course been a total triumph with Jodie Prenger making a real name for herself. Who would have thought she’d still be there doing 8 shows a week nearly a year later? What a star. I saw her at West End live this year and she has a super voice and a lovely stage presence. She managed to upstage Christopher Biggins, to great comic effect and that takes some talent for comedy! I think we’ll see more of Jodie once she moves on but for now she seems happy where she is. She’s on her 3rd Fagin and this is the one I’d really like to see. I think Griff Reese Jones will make a great Fagin and be well worth the trip. Hairspray has seen some major changes with the departure of Micheal Ball. Still Phil Jupitous is doing a grand job and Brain Connely was very well recieved in the part. I wonder how long Micheal will stay away, I’m sure I heard somewhere that he’s thinking of coming back to Edna. We hope! Wicked is going from strength to strength and is the most popular musical at this witchy time of year. Kerry Ellis is just a distant memory now and Alexia Kadhim has made her own interpreation of Elphaba. I think she has a lovely voice, quite different to Kerry’s but wonderful all the same:
New shows coming into the West End and available for theatre breaks include Legally Blonde which I was less than keen on when first announced. Since then I’ve had a good look at the videos on youtube and listened to the cast recordings and I might just change my mind. It might be fun and has the sort of casting that makes me want to see it. What to say about Love Never dies (apart from “I can’t wait!!”)? Well it’s definitely going to be a huge event and it should be a spectacular in the best Andrew Lloyd Webber tradition. The Coney Island setting should give it a great atmosphere, you know how creepy fairgrounds can be. We’ve all seen Scoobydoo It’s got two faboulous stars in Sarah Boggess and Ramin Karimaloo (I’ve been doing this so long I can now spell these names without flinching!) In the next part of this annual theatre breaks review I’ll be looking at the travel implications and prospects for London theatre breaks into 2010.
- Tags:
- Theatre Breaks
- London Theatre Breaks
- west end
- Hairspray
- Lion King
- Oliver
- phantom
- Priscilla
- wicked
- London theatre
- West End LIVE
October 30 2009, 7:03am | Comments »
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I posted to flickr.com
Phantom Of The Opera Theatre Breaks in London
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aroberts/4016361979/in/pool-473288@N25
Andyrob has added a photo to the pool:
Phantom Of The Opera Theatre Breaks in London
October 16 2009, 10:24am | Comments »
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I posted to loveneverdiesphantom.co.uk
Love Never Dies
http://www.loveneverdiesphantom.co.uk/love-never-dies/love-never-dies
Love Never Dies and The Phantom Love Never Dies is the title for the sequel to The Phantom of The Opera, the popular West End and Broadway musical which has been running continuously at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London since 1986. Phantom of the Opera theatre breaks have been the upmarket choice for hundreds of thousands of couples wanting a special night out with spectacular effects, operetta style music, a full orchestra and a holiday break in London never to forget. Love Never Dies Theatre Breaks Soon it will be possible to relive Phantom of The Opera theatre breaks without seeing the same musical all over again, because a new musical called Love Never Dies, and set in New York is due to open in London and other cities imminently. The Phantom himself sent me an email : “Ladies and Gentlemen, At 11 o’clock on the eighth day of October 2009, I will be making an announcement of global importance. Should my commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur. Amor Numquam Moritur. Your Obedient Servant, The Phantom” Love Never Dies – The Musical Love Never Dies the musical is set in 1907, ten years after the conclusion of the original Phantom Of The Opera story. The Phantom himslef escaped to New York in the US with Madame and Meg Giry. There he worked as a magician and entertainer on Coney Island. He builds a new opera house and convinces Christine Daae, now a huge star in her own right, to sing for him once again.
Love Never Dies the musical has lyrics by Glenn Slater, is directed by Jack O’Brien and designed by Bob Crowley, with choreography by Jerry Mitchell and lighting by Paule Constable. The launch day announcement on October 8th is expected to confirm rumours that the Love Never Dies will have a world premiere opening at London’s Adelphi Theatre in March 2010, following lengthy previews. Casting is expected to include Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom, American Sierra Boggess as Christine, and Summer Strallen as Meg Giry. Well those are the rumours, but with rehearsals well under way at a big location outside of London, it’s also just possible that the opening of Love Never Dies will be brought foreward in time for the December January peak theatre season.
Technorati Tags: Adelphi Theatre, Christine, Her Majesty's Theatre, Love Never Dies, Meg Giry, phantom, Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, Summer Strallen
- Tags:
- phantom
- Her Majestys Theatre
- Ramin Karimloo
- Love Never Dies
- Sierra Boggess
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September 23 2009, 6:48am | Comments »
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I posted to theatrebreaksmag.co.uk
West End Guide - Theatres Summer 2009
http://theatrebreaksmag.co.uk/west-end-guide-theatres-summer-2009/
Your West End Guide to What’s On Where Summer 2009 West End Guide shows and theatres May09 When you are thinking about shows for theatre breaks you can use our West End Guide to What’s on Where to get an idea of the size of the theatres. This can be very useful when you are looking for a show but you aren’t really sure what you want to see. Bigger productions like Sister Act or Wicked are in the largest theatres where as something like Stomp, although it’s still great fun, isn’t in quite such a spectacular setting. Of course size isn’t everything when it comes to theatres. Phantom of the Opera and Les Miz are both in smaller, older theatres but the theatres are quite grand and their productions are still full of spectacle.
- Tags:
- Theatre Breaks
- theatres
- west end
- phantom
- Phantom of the Opera
- wicked
- Sister Act
- summer
- West End Guide
- Miz
- stomp
May 26 2009, 12:08pm | Comments »
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I posted to theatrebreaksmag.co.uk
Theatre Breaks to Classic Shows
http://theatrebreaksmag.co.uk/theatre-breaks-to-classic-shows/
Planning your Theatre Break When you are planning a theatre break often the safest option is to pick a classic show that you know will deliver a good night out. These are the shows that have been running the longest and have the best established productions. Theatre breaks to these shows are often a little bit easier to get for specific dates (like half-term or during the school holidays). Sometimes these classic shows can also be very good value for theatre breaks as they are not quite as much in demand as new shows like Priscilla or Oliver! You still get a wide range of shows to choose from, from the more operatic style of show to rock classics. There’s something to suit most tastes and I’m going to make a few suggestions to help you decide. 5 Classic Shows for Theatre Breaks
Les Miserables - huge, epic score, big cast, amazing almost operatic songs. Les Mis is still going strong after all these years Phantom of the Opera - smaller cast, less complex plot, but high production values, great score and another ‘operatic’ show. Blood Brothers - another long running show but this one has a very different feel. Willy Russel’s story of a pair of Liverpool brothers and the twists and turns of their lives has a depth that’s kept it amongst the best loved musicals for theatre breaks many years. Billy Elliot - another epic story with great ensemble set pieces. Billy is heart-rending but ultimately uplifting.You’ll come out feeling amazing! A perfect choice for theatre breaks. We Will Rock You - if you were a Queen fan or even if you weren’t this is the ultimate rock opera. It has all the fun of a rock concert without any of the unpleasantness!
Any of these shows could form the centre piece of a theatre break anyone in the family could enjoy.
- Tags:
- Theatre Breaks
- Billy Elliot
- Musicals
- Oliver
- phantom
- Phantom of the Opera
- Priscilla
- rock opera
- blood brothers
- les mis
- queen fan
- shows
- willy russel
April 14 2009, 9:03am | Comments »
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
Phantom of the Opera Ramin Karimloo
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/phantom-of-the-opera-ramin-karimloo.html
Ramin Karimloo - the man behind that famous Phantom mask ramin Ramin Karimloo currently plays The Phantom in Phantom of the Opera. Ramin is originally from Iran but he grew up in Peterborough, Canada. Although he started out playing in rock bands in his home town playing part of the Phantom is a boyhood ambition come true for him. He’s been playing the part for almost two years and plans to continue through to September 2009. Ramin says that he first told a friend when he was only 12 that some day he’d play the part of the Phantom
Other Parts Ramin has played. Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera Enjolras in Les Misérables (Queen’s) Chris in Miss Saigon (UK tour). Aladdin in Aladin (Chatham Theatre), Pirate/Policeman in The Pirates of Penzance (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, and UK tour), Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance (Theatre Royal, Bath), Artie Green and understudy Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard (UK tour) Feuilly and understudy Marius in Les Misérables (Palace).
Related Posts:Phantom of the OperaPhantom of The Opera 5 Facinating FactsLong running shows in LondonPhantom gets a new state of the art sound systemChicago and Phantom extend into 2009a Phantom of the Opera Ramin Karimloo
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- Ramin Karimloo
February 5 2009, 12:59pm | Comments »
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
Phantom of the Opera -a Classic Night Out
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/phantomoftheopera-classicnightout.html
Arriving at Phantom of the Opera We arrived at Her Majesty’s Theatre at around 7 p.m. The foyer was already buzzing with early arrivals, programme sellers and theatre staff selling glasses of chilled champagne.We resisted the temptation (just!) and picked up our tickets. It was just lovely not to have to queue. In the Bar of the Theatre Then we headed for a pre-show drink in the bar. The bars are bright and attractive with a varied range of drinks available. I was greedy and opted for a “large”, actually huge, glass of pinot noir. We enjoyed the bustle as more people arrived, enough to be a crowd but not so many as to be a crush. The doors to the auditorium opened about ten minutes before the show was due to start. The theatre quickly filled and even on a Monday night there were very few empty seats. ** Book Phantom of The Opera Theatre Breaks via Superbreak ** A Lovely Old Theatre and a New Sound System
We made our way to our seats and began to look around. It really is a lovely, old fashioned theatre. There’s something much more intimate about the older West End theatres. Here we really felt we were close to the stage rather than watching everything happening in the distance. I’d been a bit concerned with all the talk of the Phantom’s new sound system but I needn’t have worried. The amplification was just about right for the space and the suitably spooky sound effects weren’t too intrusive. Very Special Effects There are some super effects in Phantom of the Opera. I must admit I was a bit worried when I realised I was sitting directly underneath that famous Phantom chandelier ! There are some quite magical moments but I’m not going to go into too much detail in case you’ve not been yet. The production has been around for over 20 years and yet it still works and seems quite fresh. The Music of the Night Much of the music of Phantom of the Opera is quite familiar. There was some quite wonderful singing from the principals and from the ensemble. I did find it hard at first not to make comparisons with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. They both have such distinctive voices. Once I was swept up in the live performance though, I suspended my disbelief and lost myself in the story, the spectacle and the glory of the music. The Costumes I thought the costume designs were stunning. I loved all the opera costumes and make-up. It was like watching a period theatre print or one of those paper toy theatres come to life. I thought Masquerade scene was also a particular joy but my partner was not so sure and thought it was ‘a bit garish’. And indeed, it was garish. I thought that just added to the nightmare quality of the scene. The Story of Phantom of the Opera I’m sure there are people who don’t know the story of Phantom of the Opera. For that reason I’m not going to give the plot away here. I will tell you that the story centres on a rather dreamy, fragile young woman. Christine is a member of the chorus of the Paris Opera sometime in the 19th century.Her father was a famous musician and before he died he promised he would send her ‘the angel of music’ to take care of her. Suffice to say what she believes to be the angel turns out not to be quite what she thinks. Drawn to the Phantom yet repulsed by him Christine has to make a choice. The story is full of sweeping romantic emotions and gothic fantasy. Tragedy and pathos intertwine as we see what formed the monster that the Phantom has become. I think the Paris setting works well because it is the ultimate, romantic city. I don’t mean the soft romantic comedy sort of romance. I mean Romantic with a capital R, gothic trappings and plenty of angst! The production taps into that idea of Paris, making me think of those overgrown cemeteries and pale, doomed young women who are half in love with death. I love the idea that below the Paris Opera there’s might be a vast subterranean lake. It is like something from a fairy tale. Phantom of the Opera is a Classic It was a glorious night of extravagant musical theatre. We came out of the theatre into the London night with that lovely feeling that only comes from seeing a good show. I wasn’t alone either. All around me people were talking about what a great evening it had been and how much they’d enjoyed it. The chap next to me certainly had as I’d gradually noticed he was very quietly singing along through the whole show! (He had a nice voice and it was very quiet so not a bit annoying!) Even on a cold Monday evening in January the West End is buzzing as people come out of the shows. I felt quite envious of those who weren’t off to catch a train but were heading for their hotels. Too hyped up to go straight home, we wandered off in search of an after-theatre supper and a chance to talk over the evening. A couple of days later I’m still humming The Music of the Night and remembering The Phantom Of The Opera. ** Book Phantom of The Opera Theatre Breaks via Superbreak **
Related Posts:Phantom of The Opera 5 Facinating FactsPhantom gets a new state of the art sound systemPhantom of the OperaChicago and Phantom extend into 2009Imagine This - Casting Newsa Phantom of the Opera -a Classic Night Out
- Tags:
- reviews
- London
- phantom
- chandelier
- Her Majestys Theatre
- HerMajestys
- music of the night
- musical
- Phantom of the Opera
- special effects
February 1 2009, 7:36am | Comments »
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
Phantom of The Opera 5 Facinating Facts
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/phantom-of-the-opera-5-facinating-facts.html
Five things you didn’t know about Phantom of the Opera
Some of Phantom of the Opera’s lyrics were written by Richard Stilgoe. Yes, that’s right, the clever, funny bloke that used to be That’s Life! and in Dictionary Corner on Countdown. By the by, he also wrote all the lyrics for Starlight Express! Phantom is the second longest-running West End musical in history (on since 1986) and is the longest running musical on Broadway. When Gaston Leroux first published Le Fantôme de l’Opéra, the book Phantom is based on in 1911 it was a bit of a flop. It wasn’t really thought much of until it was made into a film in 1925. The replica of the Paris Opera House chandelier has 6,000 beads, 35 beads to each string. It is 3 metres wide and weighs one ton. There are 230 costumes, 14 dressers, 120 automated cues and 22 scene changes in every performance of Phantom of the Opera!
Your Favourite Memory from Phantom of the Opera? We are off to see Phantom of The Opera very soon so I expect I’ll be writing quite a bit more about it over the next few days. Meanwhile, if you’ve seen Phantom of the Opera at any time during the last 23 years what was your favourite memory of the show?
a Phantom of The Opera 5 Facinating Facts
- Tags:
- phantom
- facts
- RIchard Stilgoe
January 24 2009, 5:50am | Comments »
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