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Post by theatremiss on Oct 11, 2016 15:18:40 GMT
and Ben Forster is REALLY a poor Phantom - can't act at all and has the strangest singing voice, which veers from being nonexistent and virtually inaudible to an ear-splitting bray with almost nothing in-between to seduce the ear. That is a real problem in a show where that character HAS to play the seducer, otherwise it makes no sense (Crawford of course understood all this entirely). But Celinde by contrast was a total revelation - possibly the best-sung Christine I have ever seen and without any doubt the best acted. I don't know how many other roles there are for her around the West End, but she is a major talent. (The Raoul was a blank, and not especially prepossessing.) I was there last night. Thought very much like you Ionlad about Ben Forster, it was painful to watch. Thoroughly enjoyed the finale stuff especially with Ball et al, fluffy, funny and tongue in cheek, it's a birthday they can be silly. Sierra really does have a stupendous voice, but not fussed on her singing in French, but I supposed it had been rehearsed for the failed Paris event so perhaps that's why she did it. Seriously how is Scott Davies the stand by phantom? He's awful, if he drifts around stage like he did singing in the most odd voice, when he is on for the full show, I think I'd be wanting a refund. Totally disappointed that JOJ one of the best phantoms didn't get to sing a full song, totally wasted opportunity |
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Post by indis on Oct 11, 2016 15:59:14 GMT
Meh..that celebration was a bit tired. How many re-arrangements of All I Ask Of You and the title song can they chug out? I saw the show last month and thought it was in great shape. Too bad Celinde wasn't on. She does sound fabulous compared to the rather plain Harriet Jones who I saw. Ben Froster (all this time I thought it was Foster!) was okay as far as I'm concerned. Is it me or did he seriously put on some pounds since JCS? His face even looks bloated. It's funny how there is this dissatisfaction with the lead Phantom. I remember back in the 10th anniversary celebration, no one was pleased with the current Phantom of the time, Simon Bowman. Funny enough they had a similar celebration at the end. At the theatre, with various Phantoms singing the title song with Sarah Brightman, and a similar (but bigger group Raoul) doing All I Ask of You. Cameron's and Lloyd Webber's Monsieur Firman and Monsieur Andrew schtick was a bit forced. funny how tastes differ - i loooove Harriets Christine, her voice and acting , totally my fave! I for my side would not want to see Celindes Christine, i don't like her voice for the role - i really loved her Fantine, and i could imagine she would be a splendid Elphaba, but whenever i hear an audio of her Christine, i think it is Carlotta trying to be Christine but so everyone can listen to someone (for me no Sierra and Celinde, but whoever wants, please do so )  |
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Post by zermatt on Oct 11, 2016 17:45:51 GMT
I think far too many are missing the point about the inclusion of the French material - it was a big nod to the many people who have lost their jobs in Paris with the indefinite postponement of the show over there due to the big fire. Not just the actors, but the dancers, the crew, the orchestra, the creatives, with a years' worth of employment taken away like that.. If the Mogador production had opened, that would have been the main focus of the 30th Birthday, and so a lot of last night was probably thrown together last minute. No need to be so critical about it all.
The SHOW was the star, not the finale, and the show was fabulous. Of course our tastes all differ re the casting, but for me, overall they were great. Celinde gave the best performance I've seen from her. Epic. And whilst Ben's voice isn't for all tastes, he completely throws himself into it, and that is much more important to me than a perfect voice in a laid back performance. I was also particularly fond of the relationship between Christine and Raoul - when it's good, you watch a genuine love triangle. Often Raoul is left behind. In my opinion, the current Raoul is one of the strongest I've seen, and I would like to hear him sing more.
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Post by samjane92 on Oct 11, 2016 19:50:48 GMT
I was there for my 4th time at the show. I do think Celinde is a great Christine and she was on top form last night but having never heard Sierra live before it made me wish I had seen her perform the role. I thought it sounded beautiful in French too. I have seen Geronimo, JOJ, Scott and now Ben. I was looking forward to seeing him having seen him in various concerts but he just didn't have the same power as JOJ. There was too much of an age gap between JOJ and Celinde when I saw it however and I didnt enjoy Scott's performance at all (too menacing, no way Christine could fall in love, not charming at all and no goosebumps). Geronimo was very good but JOJ tops it for me. Also thought the managers stood out for me tonight I certainly laughed more than last time. Nadim was very good but I actually preferred his previous understudy Ashley Stilburn who I managed to see twice, I couldn't tell you who I saw the first time so I guess they weren't that memorable. The finale was good fun and it was lovely hearing Michael Ball sing. Having been at the Les Mis 30th I think I preferred Phantom. There was more of a special feel about this one maybe that was just the atmosphere in the theatre.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2016 21:36:06 GMT
Anyone know when Celinde and the current cast are leaving? Is it before Feb?
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Post by dazzerlump on Dec 18, 2016 1:33:47 GMT
Does anyone know what days Ben and Celinde don't perform.. Ideally I want to see Celinde and preferably not Ben!
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Post by danielwhit on Dec 18, 2016 13:33:26 GMT
Anyone know when Celinde and the current cast are leaving? Is it before Feb? I imagine September - Phantom sticks pretty rigidly to a 12 month performing contract. Leads may be different though. |
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Post by greeny11 on Dec 18, 2016 22:53:22 GMT
Does anyone know what days Ben and Celinde don't perform.. Ideally I want to see Celinde and preferably not Ben! Ben does 8 shows a week - Celinde normally has Mondays and Fridays off. |
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Post by dazzerlump on Dec 19, 2016 0:21:48 GMT
Does anyone know what days Ben and Celinde don't perform.. Ideally I want to see Celinde and preferably not Ben! Ben does 8 shows a week - Celinde normally has Mondays and Fridays off. Great, Thanks greeny11 |
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Post by lou105 on Dec 19, 2016 9:24:34 GMT
Celinde also lists dates in full on her personal website, although that turned out not to be accurate when I went. I assume this was just a late change, though.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2016 11:45:57 GMT
Ben, Harriet Jones and understudy Matt Blaker on at yesterday's matinee. Lara Martins was on as Carlotta, but she fell ill after the Hannibal scene and Charlotte Vaughan took her place for the remainder of the show. Lara was struggling to sing, I noticed; during her Think of Me, her voice seemed to give out and she kept clearing her throat (a chorus member gave her a sip of water halfway through). Really hope she gets better soon, and big respect for Charlotte for taking over at such short notice - she was brilliant!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 11, 2017 13:11:13 GMT
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Post by samjane92 on Feb 13, 2017 16:17:56 GMT
Ben Forster to extend to September 2nd.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Feb 13, 2017 17:04:16 GMT
My friend saw Phantom for the first time in eons last week, said she thought Ben Forster was fabulous. We both didn't like him in the Jesus! show at the 02. I said I might try and catch him before he goes, so I guess I've got a bit of time to think about it.
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Post by indis on Feb 13, 2017 20:15:24 GMT
Had so hoped that there would be a new Phantom - the last times i was in , Ben was sooooooo overacting, it was funny in parts that were not supposed to
be funny ,nearly had to laugh about his overacting in the final lair
also would not say no to a new Raoul, don't know if he had a bad day, but after reading lots of good critics about Nadim, i was very
disappointed: His Raoul was sooo boring, also the voice was nothing special - have to say i prefer Matt Blaker by far
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2017 21:05:55 GMT
I love Nadim! I've seen him 3 times.
Ben was better than expected, but didn't love him. Please bring JOJ back. Or Gerónimo.
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Post by indis on Feb 13, 2017 21:09:48 GMT
Please bring JOJ back. Or Gerónimo. yes please  |
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Post by talkstageytome on Feb 13, 2017 23:30:20 GMT
Oh I loved Nadim. I've seen him twice and liked his portrayal both times. You can see why Christine falls in love with his Raoul. As a little side note, he ran a twitter comp at xmas to win one of his CDs and I won. It came in the post a few weeks ago and is very good. There's an interesting rendition of The Phantom Of The Opera on there, with Celinde. Worth checking out! |
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Post by zermatt on Feb 14, 2017 0:28:54 GMT
Had so hoped that there would be a new Phantom - the last times i was in , Ben was sooooooo overacting, it was funny in parts that were not supposed to be funny ,nearly had to laugh about his overacting in the final lair also would not say no to a new Raoul, don't know if he had a bad day, but after reading lots of good critics about Nadim, i was very disappointed: His Raoul was sooo boring, also the voice was nothing special - have to say i prefer Matt Blaker by far Agree to an extent about Ben's overacting, but completely disagree about Nadim's Raoul. Are you sure he was on when you saw the show?! Maybe he had a bad day. But I've seen him several times and he was definitely NOT boring. Confident but gentle with Christine, likeable, and above all, realistic. Matt Blaker reminded me a lot of Ashley Stillburn, last year's cover: very decent but falling into the trap so many Raouls and cover Raouls before him have, which is to sing really loudly the whole time, and shout lots. Proof again, I suppose, that we can discuss casting for days on end but all it comes down to is personal taste. |
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Post by indis on Feb 14, 2017 4:30:06 GMT
Yes he was on, i read so much good things, so i was quite disappointed - maybe he really had a bad day
f.e. in the final lair he was just standing around doing nothing, and "All i ask of you" (one of my fave songs), was not really good
as well - maybe i like him better next time, i saw so many awesome Raouls the last years (Anton, Antony, Oliver) and i hoped he would
be in that "area", but at the moment he is my number 6 of 6
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Post by ali973 on Feb 14, 2017 5:25:04 GMT
I really never understood why Anthony Warlow as never brought in for Phantom. Or for any role in London, really.
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Post by danb on Feb 14, 2017 7:05:13 GMT
I really never understood why Anthony Warlow as never brought in for Phantom. Or for any role in London, really. I expect it went like... "Anthony, do you fancy doing Phantom in London?" "No thanks mate" "Oh, ok. Just thought I'd ask" |
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Post by ali973 on Feb 14, 2017 7:11:48 GMT
? He's done it in Australia at least twice.
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Post by ukpuppetboy on Feb 14, 2017 16:34:21 GMT
I really never understood why Anthony Warlow as never brought in for Phantom. Or for any role in London, really. It was quite a strong rumour that he was coming to Phantom in London before his lymph cancer diagnosis, and unfortunately it never semed to come up again after that. To be honest I'm surprised he returned to the role in Australia for the revival given his short run in the Melbourne original - though very grateful he did as it meant i finally got to see him in the role (apparently Maria Björnson's favourite Phantom). And amazing he was too. The only other time he was scheduled to perform here that I am aware of was at a concert with Ruthie Henshall at Hampton Court Palace but he pulled out at the very last minute.. |
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Post by zermatt on Feb 14, 2017 19:02:55 GMT
Yes he was on, i read so much good things, so i was quite disappointed - maybe he really had a bad day f.e. in the final lair he was just standing around doing nothing, and "All i ask of you" (one of my fave songs), was not really good as well - maybe i like him better next time, i saw so many awesome Raouls the last years (Anton, Antony, Oliver) and i hoped he would be in that "area", but at the moment he is my number 6 of 6 I have seen him four or five times, and he is extremely animated in final lair - not to mention doing the most believable acting of the main three. When the Phantom and Christine kiss he looks distraught. And he is the only Raoul I have ever seen to fill in the time before the Phantom places the rope around his neck in a believable way. And his All I Ask of You, with Harriet Jones, in particular, has never failed to move me. Give him another shot - I appreciate all actors can have off days. Nadim has recently become a dad and has a very young baby, so maybe he got no sleep the night before you saw it! Ha! He is certainly better than the three you list above - in my opinion of course. I know I'm not the only one who thinks he's substantially better than most actors we have had in the role in recent years. |
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