225 posts
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Post by ukpuppetboy on Aug 5, 2019 10:46:15 GMT
I remember seeing him in Hairspray, and thought his voice wasn't that special (Piers Bate - his understudy - was much better), but I guess he's been working hard in the last few years to be considered good enough for the part. That said, I am happy they've gone for a younger Phantom, which is my preference. Really? How long ago was that because he sounds absolutely amazing in this Sydney concert in June. More operatic than Anthony Warlow and Michael Crawford combined. And more handsome than any Raoul. Sounds like it could be quite the event at Her Majesty’s next month.
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573 posts
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Post by Dave25 on Aug 10, 2019 23:55:37 GMT
Today I was watching some older clips of this show and I noticed how beautiful and haunting the original cadenza of the title song was, without the electric guitar. The newly added guitar is quite distracting from the moment and makes it sound cheaper to me. I also don't understand the intention, was it to make it more modern? The original is more modern/timeless to me and the electric guitar makes it sound more passe and it gives an 80's bold and the beautiful vibe.
Here is an example of how it used to be:
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639 posts
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Post by Oleanna on Aug 11, 2019 0:44:28 GMT
Today I was watching some older clips of this show and I noticed how beautiful and haunting the original cadenza of the title song was, without the electric guitar. The newly added guitar is quite distracting from the moment and makes it sound cheaper to me. I also don't understand the intention, was it to make it more modern? The original is more modern/timeless to me and the electric guitar makes it sound more passe and it gives an 80's bold and the beautiful vibe. Here is an example of how it used to be: The electric guitar in the cadenza was how it was conceived in ALW/Mike Batt’s original arrangement (as heard on the original promo single with Steve Harley/Sarah Brightman, and is particularly prominent on the 12” Extended Mix), but was not present when the song transferred into the show (this is just my speculation, but it may have been considered a bit too much of a leap for an audience to hear a guitar knowing full well that there’s not one in the pit...nowadays, most shows let us hear instruments that aren’t actually there). So it’s fair to say that its presence in the cadenza was a reinstatement, rather than an addition. I quite like hearing it both ways. I do love the antiphony of the guitar and voice, but also miss hearing the interplay between the strings and reeds so clearly. One thing’s for sure, the presence of the acousitc guitar from the second verse onwards has never been welcome for me.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2019 8:24:29 GMT
What a song the title song. The progressive key changes are adrenaline inducing.
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Post by scarpia on Aug 11, 2019 12:02:05 GMT
Re the travelator, it's the same as it's always been. The design hasn't really changed since 1986.
The electric guitar was first reintroduced into the title song in 2006 with the Las Vegas production (this then made it into London after the sound upgrade two years later). Hal asked ALW to cut originally as he rightly thought it dated the show, but 20 years later, ALW decided he would overrule Hal. ALW seems to think adding in electric guitar to his shows makes him cool and up to date, when it often dates the shows. Much missed from the 1986 orchestration are the organ parts towards the end. I think the best orchestration for the title song was one that was used in the London production only between 2004 and 2008. It had some electric guitar in it, but not the wailing one that makes Christine's vocalisations inaudible. I think the percussion in that orchestration may have been live as well, but haven't got confirmation on that.
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573 posts
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Post by Dave25 on Aug 11, 2019 12:54:13 GMT
Thanks for your reactions and insights!
"miss hearing the interplay between the strings and reeds so clearly"
I completely agree with this, that interplay is what gives me goosebumps in that scene.
"What a song the title song. The progressive key changes are adrenaline inducing."
Including the key changes, well said, thank you. Adrenaline inducing indeed.
"ALW seems to think adding in electric guitar to his shows makes him cool and up to date, when it often dates the shows"
It does indeed feel dated because of it, while the version I posted feels much more timeless.
It really is a shame, because aside from the dated feel, I think the scene is the climax of act one and this electric guitar distracts from the chords and makes the scene much more generic to me and I believe it takes audiences out of the right feel. The chords and key changes and intensity it takes away from are much more haunting.
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225 posts
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Post by ukpuppetboy on Sept 10, 2019 5:47:53 GMT
"ALW seems to think adding in electric guitar to his shows makes him cool and up to date, when it often dates the shows" It does indeed feel dated because of it, while the version I posted feels much more timeless. It really is a shame, because aside from the dated feel, I think the scene is the climax of act one and this electric guitar distracts from the chords and makes the scene much more generic to me and I believe it takes audiences out of the right feel. The chords and key changes and intensity it takes away from are much more haunting. The electric guitar riffs are also SO incongruous with the orchestrations for the entire rest of the show. Should have been ditched with Steve Harley.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2019 6:16:44 GMT
Wonder how the new Phantom got on last night..!
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349 posts
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Post by kimbahorel on Sept 10, 2019 10:42:11 GMT
Wonder how the new Phantom got on last night..! I was hoping others would post so I can if I share the same opinion, agree with them 😂
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349 posts
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Post by kimbahorel on Sept 10, 2019 10:49:07 GMT
He is a good actor but vocally its... ummm. Like he can hit all the notes just he was very over powered by Kelly and Danny. I hope obviously as he does it more the strengh will improve... I hope. Also he was very out of breath during MOTN and whispered the first part of the song.
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267 posts
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Post by stageyninja83 on Sept 10, 2019 13:27:00 GMT
He is a good actor but vocally its... ummm. Like he can hit all the notes just he was very over powered by Kelly and Danny. I hope obviously as he does it more the strengh will improve... I hope. Also he was very out of breath during MOTN and whispered the first part of the song. I think he has potential but I thought he was out of time/late quite a lot, especially in POTO and MOTN. He also seemed to over-emphasise the last letter of the last word of every line which I found very distracting. Very hard to judge from a first performance, I'm sure he'll settle but positives are that his voice seemed powerful and I liked his acting.
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2,785 posts
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Post by ceebee on Sept 14, 2019 17:06:01 GMT
I saw Scott Davies this afternoon, and he was absolutely fantastic. Such a long running show felt very fresh at today's matinee. Kelly Mathieson was brilliant as Christine too. Ross Dawes was also very good as Firmin.
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1,430 posts
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Post by showtoones on Sept 15, 2019 5:39:24 GMT
What performances does Alternate Phantom and alternate Christine perform?
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1,010 posts
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Post by David J on Oct 1, 2019 8:59:03 GMT
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Post by xanady on Oct 1, 2019 9:13:53 GMT
Thanks,Sir for posting this...am going to order it...musicals meet comic books?...hmmm...how about a mash up of MT and characters from comics...Thoroughly Modern Minnie The Minx anyone?...
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716 posts
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Post by indis on Oct 9, 2019 19:41:28 GMT
was wondering today : is there a body size a Raoul actor has to be? was thinking Rob Houchen would have a great voice for Raoul but he is not the tallest, so is there a guideline?
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18,844 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 2, 2019 11:34:01 GMT
Bumped for our new 42ndBlvdTip for newer members: we appreciate you running a search before starting a new thread. We aim to have one thread per show unless there is more than one production running. The search function on the board is a bit random so a google search will often turn up better results. In this case google “TheatreBoard Phantom” and this thread is the top hit.
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2,150 posts
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Post by richey on Nov 6, 2019 19:01:27 GMT
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349 posts
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Post by kimbahorel on Nov 12, 2019 8:38:15 GMT
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4,578 posts
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Post by Mark on Nov 12, 2019 8:55:40 GMT
Love that! I hope the couple see this!
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500 posts
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Post by anthony on Nov 12, 2019 16:20:26 GMT
Saw Josh Piterman a few weeks back now. At the interval, I have to admit I wasn't a HUGE fan of him, but his Final Lair blew me away (and was perhaps the best performance I've ever seen from a Phantom). Genuinely amazing.
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241 posts
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Post by justafan on Nov 12, 2019 17:29:31 GMT
Saw Josh Piterman a few weeks back now. At the interval, I have to admit I wasn't a HUGE fan of him, but his Final Lair blew me away (and was perhaps the best performance I've ever seen from a Phantom). Genuinely amazing. I’m there next week - I’ve not been for a couple of years but love the music and somehow managed to pick up a really cheap front row seat - who is the Raoul these days?
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316 posts
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Post by ABr on Nov 12, 2019 17:37:15 GMT
Saw Josh Piterman a few weeks back now. At the interval, I have to admit I wasn't a HUGE fan of him, but his Final Lair blew me away (and was perhaps the best performance I've ever seen from a Phantom). Genuinely amazing. I’m there next week - I’ve not been for a couple of years but love the music and somehow managed to pick up a really cheap front row seat - who is the Raoul these days? Danny Whitehead, according to the website!
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Post by theatre241 on Nov 17, 2019 13:39:27 GMT
Thinking of seeing this again after seeing disappointed a few years ago. I can only go on Saturday and its nearly sold quite well for next Saturday! I might try my luck at the discount box offices because I swear they always have phantom. Has anyone done this before? Also whats the sound like these days there because I remember the orchestra being very quiet
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Post by 141920grm on Nov 17, 2019 19:00:06 GMT
Danny is an amazing Raoul- very sincere, adoring and convincing. Sound's nice and loud, I've sat at all levels these past 2 months now and even on the balcony I wouldn't describe it as "quiet".
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Post by theatre241 on Nov 17, 2019 19:46:55 GMT
Great!Ive booked J 30 Grand Circle. For£25 not bad. Does anyone know when the alternate Christine goes on because I have booked a matinee and I would love to see an alternate
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Post by 141920grm on Nov 18, 2019 0:18:06 GMT
alternates usually go on Mondays/Fridays but could always change!
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Post by theatre241 on Dec 1, 2019 19:49:37 GMT
I saw it on Saturday and it really does hold up. This cast is brilliant, I forgot how brilliant this show is! The sound was loud enough as well lol, my view wasn't too bad from the very last seat of row J in the upper circle. I missed quite a lot of the office scenes, why have they got the entire scene down in that corner?
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Post by edi on Dec 14, 2019 10:34:28 GMT
If I have to choose between circle A1 or A36, which side is less restricted? Thank you.
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316 posts
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Post by ABr on Dec 14, 2019 11:02:58 GMT
If I have to choose between circle A1 or A36, which side is less restricted? Thank you. I always consult SeatPlan for potential seat views, not every seat has a photo in each theatre, but it gives you a good indication of what the view might be like seatplan.com/london/her-majestys-theatre/
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