The Phantom of the Opera - His Majesty's Theatre

Gosh, well this has certainly been the thread that keeps on giving over the last few days. Fortunately the RUG statement I think does clarify things a bit.

I agree with @burlybear above that Cam Mac's statement didn't really add as much as the subsequent social media fall out thought. Was a bizarre place to announce this, the grammar in the actual sentence was wrong, 'permanent closure' but 'back soon' doesn't really make sense and we already knew that an extended closure was needed. Also CM's rhetoric throughout has been fairly overdramatic. So anyway, I didn't think it was the end of Phantom for good!

As for what's going on between CM and ALW - I mean who knows! It's all rather speculative. I don't think this is a combined and agreed PR strategy. And I don't think they are at complete loggerheads either. Rather, somewhere in the middle. In ALW's book he talks about how when he met CM he'd really discovered his MT soulmate and how they had so much in common. But later he acknowledged that he was aware of a very bitchy side of CM that he really didn't like. And certainly it seems from various things that CM does like being in full control and really has to get his own way. His outbursts in that musical TV series (he was in Chichester I think?) were quite telling. And when Jodie Prenger won I'd Do Anything he was unbelievably rude. He really didn't get that the whole point of the thing was that the public were choosing - not him.

Having said all that, I think we need to cut him some slack. From the general tone of everything he says he is clearly not in a good place. The pandemic has affected everyone in different ways, and some very deeply, with a way of life that is very different. Anxiety, depression, mood swings etc etc can affect anyone. Being rich and privileged in no way makes you immune to this. I offer that as a reason for his current behaviour rather than an excuse. ALW knows him better than anyone so I doubt is surprised by much of this, and is probably trying to restore calm from CM's outbursts.

Of course, this is all purely speculative. But having followed both for a long time is my hunch.

Also, CM has brought SO much to UK musical for DECADES that as a fan I am truly grateful for everything he's done. He has produced some of the most incredible musicals and brought employment to literally thousands worldwide since the 80s. He has produced the most epic UK tours ever, bringing West End quality to the regions. Cats, Phantom, Les Mis, Miss Saigon, Mary Poppins have been incredible. If he never produced a quality production again, his legacy would be insanely good. But this continues. I was caught up in the disappointment at the Les Mis changes. But the 25th version is fantastic. Ditto the original and new Miss Saigons. 99.9% of the people that saw the latest Phantom in Leicester were raving about it. So there is literally no indication that he is about to start delivering substandard products.

As for the other stuff, and exactly what kind of "phantom" will return, I am sure it will be great. It desperately needed updating. This set was creaky, the mannequins for Masquerade ridiculous and don't even get me started on the lightning bolt and the fireballs. The chandelier moved up and down at a snails pace. I simply don't believe that he is desperate to wipe our Prince, Lynne and Bjornson for financial gain. But things can and do need to progress. Even for living creatives, things are still interpreted without them. Trevor doesn't get involved with every production of Cats. John Napier doesn't design the exact replica of every single set. Other people who know them adapt their direction/designs for every theatre. Phantom should not be a museum piece. And I am sure will return slicker and more spectacular than ever.

Also - controversial opinion - the musical is the star. It's not the case with the returning Phantom, but if in the future, a totally different creative team wanted to give it a go, it'd be great to see what they could do. OK the 25th version was not as good as the original, but that doesn't mean the original is completely sacred and nobody could ever dare to reimagine it. So many people obsessed with Prince's Evita - personally I preferred the Adelphi revival. And the OAT version of Superstar is by far and away the best version I personally have ever seen.

So anyway, I am really looking fwd to seeing the new Phantom when it returns - hopefully in a format that can last another 34 years!

The chandelier in the Vegas production was spectacular, it seemed to be in three separate spinning pieces and when it took off above you, you could feel it moving. Several people ducked including me. I'm guessing updated lighting, new front projection mapping technology and LED screens will form part of any revamp

I have similarly wondered if the "brilliant original" devotees will still be going if it isn't 100% as previous - they have been very clear on how they would feel about any changes. 

This is the epitome of cutting your nose off to spite your face. We’ve seeen it with Les Miserables. People saying they’ll never go again because something got changed “I can’t POSSIBLY enjoy this show without the creaky revolve and those dreadful sh*t brown window shutters on the back wall... I’m DISGUSTED “.

I seriously don’t get it. Even if the new version was better they’ll probably never admit it. 

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www.stagelightingstore.com/17159-Gobo-Rotators

Sounds to me like he's fed up of arguing with Cameron, so he's calling his bluff by just announcing what will happen.