The Phantom of the Opera - His Majesty's Theatre

Wow - the prices of Phantom tickets these days... Thank heavens for pals who can sort out decent seats at a decent price. I guess the decision to close/revamp is vindicated through the renewed popularity of this show.

It's just a view - I'm not asking you to endorse it. Was an observation that the gamble to close and refresh it seems to have paid off. That's all.

Hello. Does anyone know where we're at with the Christine alternate announcement? Paige made her debut almost a year ago, she's already left and we don't know who her replacement is going to be!

Quietly increased their day seats to 37.50 or 42.50. Would you be bothered

Not particularly. I got £30 seats on a Monday evening back in December and they were Royal Circle Row E, currently on TodayTix for £115 each. I’d pay these new prices all day long for seats like this again

Well people seem to still be paying so why wouldn’t they? The production changed quite a while back now and no matter how much people moan and keep bringing it up, it won’t change anything!

I disagree with this. Speaking up against injustices is important (such as the use of COVID as an excuse to sack long serving cast members/musicians/technical crew and cut costs). Having a long term memory is important in calling out future controversies. We learn from our successes and our failures.

Phans, such as myself, have two choices: either accept it and continue to see the show, or don’t accept it and don’t go and see the show. It has no bearing on the new show’s success or failure.

I know people personally who were treated appallingly by the production. But I still gave the new show a try, and thought it had its soul ripped out with the small orchestra, new lighting and replaced set pieces/costumes. I haven’t been back and that’s my choice. If people choose to go that’s their choice.

There is no positive way to spin it for the consumer; regardless of one’s opinion of the artistic merit of the new show, it is brazen shrinkflation in theatre form.

Less than half size orchestra, cheaper effects, underwhelming casts in return for higher prices. Pay more, get less. It was the plan all along - in a show which has made hundreds of millions.

So yes, I say people are entitled to continue speaking out in a democratic and constructive way and attempts to silence critics as “negative” or “living in the past” is simply an attempt to shut down debate. People will keep bringing it up whether you permit that or not.

I prefer the new version. I thought the old version was a musty dusty relic.

But day seats are supposed to be discounted. An accessible option for those that can’t afford the high prices

I think my concern is that it sets a precedent. If every other show followed suit, and raised rush or lottery to around the £50 mark, the west end will become a whole lot more inaccessible to people

Ticket prices for theatre are high and in some cases too high in my opinion but since when was there this requirement for cheap seats to be offered? I always thought it was a nice thing that there were day seats and lotteries but I never felt I or anyone else was entitled to these offers. In my mind it is sort of like me calling out Ferrari because I can’t afford one of their cars. I don’t think it will set a precedent because not all shows will be able to keep the punters coming in with high prices, even Phantom, but since they are businesses and like any other business are there to maximise profit why wouldn’t they set prices at a level where people will still buy them?

I’ve got TKTS on-the-day once or twice a year for the last 2-3 years or so, usually £50-60 side front stalls. They’re not always there but often enough IME.