phantom-of-the-opera | Theatre Breaks

I posted to theatreinlondon.blogspot.com

Theatre Breaks to see Lover Never Dies

http://theatreinlondon.blogspot.com/2009/09/theatre-breaks-to-see-lover-never-dies.html

Love Never Dies is the title of a new musical which has been written as a sequel to The Phantom of The Opera. 'Phantom' has been (and still is) a West End and Broadway phenomenon, running continuously at Her Majesty's Theatre, London since 1986. During that time many people have been to see the spectacular musical over and over again but soon it will be possible to relive Phantom of The Opera theatre breaks in London without seeing the same show. The new musical called Love Never Dies, and set in New York is due to open in London and other cities imminently. 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 short theatre break in London never to forget. The Masked Phantom himself sent out an email which read - “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 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.

September 23 2009, 6:24am | Comments »

I posted to usefulwiki.com

Love Never Dies Christine Announced

http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/love-never-dies-christine-announced.html

Sierra Boggess will play the leading role for Love Never Dies, the long awaited Phantom sequel. The show is expected to open in London at the Adelphi Theatre next spring (2010). Sierra Boggess Sierra played the title role of The Little Mermaid on Broadway. She is no stranger to the role of Christine and played her for 2 years in The Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sierra Sings Think of Me I found a good video of Sierra which gives a sample of her vocal range. She has a very fine voice and it should combine beautifully with her co-star Ramin Karimloo. Click here to view the embedded video.

a Love Never Dies Christine Announced

Related posts:Phantom of the Opera Ramin KarimlooLove Never Dies – fantasy castJoseph with Gareth Gates

July 7 2009, 7:14am | Comments »

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.

May 26 2009, 12:08pm | Comments »

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.

April 14 2009, 9:03am | Comments »

I posted to usefulwiki.com

Love Never Dies - fantasy cast

http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/love-never-dies-fantasy-cast.html

Love Never Dies - the casting process starts The ‘breakdown’ has been posted for the casting of Love Never Dies. It gives us a few clues about the plot of Phantom 2. Set in 1907 in New York, the mysterious “Maestro” (no prizes for guessing who he is!) runs the theatre at Coney Island. He arranges a special concert by Parisian soprano Christine Daaé. Christine arrives in New York with Raoul (now her husband) and their son Gustave.Victome de Chagny comes along too. Their encounters with the “Maestro”, bring the mysterious events of 10 years earlier at the Paris Opera back to haunt them. There’s no dates or theatres confirmed as yet but they are expecting to do a try-out in Toronto first. Casting Phantom, Christine and Raoul. Here’s the game - we’ll tell you what they are looking for and you tell us who you’d cast
Phantom: Caucasian man, 35 – 40. As mysterious as ever, but thanks to his new surroundings and the private assistance of old supporters, he now enjoys the seeming freedom to walk among “the normal” as an entrepreneur in Coney Island, of all places! In fact, over the past 10 years, he’s achieved a place of power and success. But he is haunted by a creative passion that once filled his heart. Must possess effortless gravitas and sexuality. Powerful rock tenor singing voice. Must be able to sing to top B flat. STARRING ROLE. Christine: Caucasian woman, mid - late 20s. Now a semi-retired opera superstar and a mother, Christine is still gorgeous, iconic, elegant, every inch a star. Although she has a curious echo of sadness and distance about her, she must possess an equal blend of technical superiority and raw emotionality. Glorious soprano singing voice. Must be able to sing to top B flat. STARRING ROLE. Raoul: Caucasian man, 35 - 40. Christine’s husband. Now a functioning, stoic alcoholic with more than a glimmer of his previous self as an affluent and handsome aristocrat. A beauty on the turn. Must possess domineering gravitas and sexuality. Powerful tenor singing voice, with an instinct for lyricism. Must be able to sing effortlessly to A flat. So who would you cast? I’ll tell you mine in a couple of days but I’ll let you have first pick! Love Never Dies as cast by LTB readers:

Related Posts:Phantom of the Opera Ramin KarimlooPhantom of the Opera -a Classic Night OutPhantom of the OperaImagine This - Casting NewsMeanwhile in London Ontario: Twist and Shouta Love Never Dies - fantasy cast

March 19 2009, 1:18pm | Comments »

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

February 1 2009, 7:36am | Comments »

Theatre Breaks

Theatre Breaks to see Lover Never Dies

Love Never Dies Christine Announced

West End Guide - Theatres Summer 2009

Theatre Breaks to Classic Shows

Love Never Dies - fantasy cast

Phantom of the Opera -a Classic Night Out

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