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Post by vickyg on Jul 2, 2019 11:34:06 GMT
I went to Phantom last night for the first time in a couple of years and for the first time ever the Phantom I went to see was performing! (Don't talk to me about John Owen Jones being off sick the day I went, I'm still not over it, even though of course the performance was still great). Tim Howar was really excellent. Unfortunately people were talking, constantly, all around me. I think that's a huge problem at this show and ushers were jumping all over the place trying to stop people taking photos and filming.
It's still such a great spectacle though. Every song is something to look forward to and I love being able to see into the orchestra pit in a way I don't think you can at other theatres. There were issues with sound though, people's mics were often off/far too quiet for their first word/few words, I couldn't hear a lot of Raoul speaking and in general I don't think the sound, with the exception of Phantom and Carlotta, is loud enough.
All in all I really enjoyed it though. This still feels like a proper night at the theatre and going as much as we all do, some things can start to feel slightly run of the mill!
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Post by jgblunners on Jul 7, 2019 10:58:45 GMT
I was at phantom at the end of June and just thought I'd pop into this thread to praise Kelly Mathieson once again - a truly brilliant Christine with a gorgeous voice that flourishes in the low register as well as the high. Kimberley Blake is a brilliant Carlotta and sings the score as written - no backing out of that brilliant chord-topper in the climax leading into Prima Donna. Tim Howar was an odd one - from Chess, I was expecting a rockier tone from him but we got legit musical theatre instead. A great voice, but I must admit I wanted a bit more oomph from him in a few sections.
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Post by indis on Jul 7, 2019 11:07:59 GMT
admit i never have seen Phantom since the 2 new Christines started, but (i know judging from Videos and audios only may be wrong) as far as i can see or better hear i would aim to see Amy . Saw both performances of Kelly on WEL and didn't like her voice in both of them.
Does anyone know if both are leaving? they started both already 2 years ago? are there any rumours on the new phantom? saw that John Martin Bengtsson was in town some days ago, would love to see him in London
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19,793 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 16, 2019 20:36:00 GMT
I revisited “that” film over the weekend. Unusual for me as I usually go to the RAH performance for a fix.
I liked it.
Yes, you heard me. It was good.
Ok there were changes to some plot elements and ok Gerard isn’t an opera singer but if you put all of that aside and look at it as a film, I think it works.
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573 posts
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Post by Dave25 on Jul 16, 2019 21:04:47 GMT
He gave us like an impromptu 2-minute class on performing emotion through song, which was amusing and very kind. Now you make me curious about what his idea of "emotion through song" was. It's a subject I am very interested in, and I notice that many performers have different views on this. Was he more of the "I act out every word on top of the singing, so everything is doubly over-emoted and extra tiresome but I have the feeling I act extra well"? Or was he more of the "I understand the artform of sung thoughts and that the notes naturally work as actors already too so there's no need to act out every word on top of it by over-emoting, speaking, crying or yelling"? Just curious
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Post by sugarbutterflour on Jul 22, 2019 6:24:10 GMT
Best place to sit: Dress Circle, or Stalls underneath the chandelier 😱
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2019 6:27:29 GMT
Best place to sit: Dress Circle, or Stalls underneath the chandelier 😱 London? Depends where in the Dress. I prefer it in the Dress (oo eer missus) but that's after seeing it in all 4 sections. First time? Stalls.
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Post by winonaforever on Jul 22, 2019 7:52:55 GMT
Under the chandelier, B11. And you look up when you know it's going to drop, and it comes straight at you. It's LOVELY!😄
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241 posts
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Post by justafan on Jul 22, 2019 15:36:02 GMT
Just be aware stalls B has very limited legroom. Totally worth the pain the next day tho
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Post by fiyero on Jul 23, 2019 7:56:12 GMT
So speaketh one either young or who knows a brilliant physiotherapist I sometimes consider having my legs shortened. I hate when my shorter friends moan about leg room!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2019 9:55:03 GMT
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Post by Being Alive on Jul 23, 2019 10:42:13 GMT
Well the new PHantom is a FOX!
I might finally go see it now!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2019 11:40:11 GMT
Ladies and Gentlemen, the new Phantom..!
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5,159 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Jul 23, 2019 11:48:00 GMT
I've got clothes that are older!
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Post by itsemily on Jul 23, 2019 11:59:26 GMT
What a shame he will be wearing a mask...
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656 posts
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Post by greeny11 on Jul 23, 2019 11:59:32 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.
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Post by ali973 on Jul 23, 2019 13:41:55 GMT
woof.
On that note..does anyone know why the last Phantom had long hair? And did he have long hair for the entire show or just the final layer?
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Post by indis on Jul 23, 2019 15:23:34 GMT
the new Phantom looks like Raoul 🤔🤔 they are getting younger and younger, soon they will cast 20+?
and a 3rd year Kelly? 🙊🙈 well, better not saying anyz
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Post by demelza on Jul 23, 2019 16:59:58 GMT
Glad to see we'll be getting a new Raoul! Could never warm to Jeremy's Raoul any of the times I saw him. Have heard wonderful things about Danny though, so I'm quite excited!
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Post by scarpia on Jul 24, 2019 12:54:10 GMT
woof. On that note..does anyone know why the last Phantom had long hair? And did he have long hair for the entire show or just the final layer? I've been told Cameron Mackintosh is to blame for that awful wig. Hopefully the reaction to it will have killed it off...
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Post by pitboy on Jul 26, 2019 18:03:37 GMT
When I first saw the show back in 1986 I could have sworn there were two travelators at the back of the stage to make the ramps for the descent into the lair. Did I dream this? Or was one dropped?
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Jul 27, 2019 9:31:39 GMT
New cast revealed
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2019 9:35:14 GMT
Hello pitboy - another welcome! Amazing that you got to see this in its very original presentation! Can't say for sure, but I'd imagine there were no travelators upstage in this, sheerly because it would have made getting the Masquerade stairs rigged and into place (and back off quicker) fairly difficult. There is a flown 'bridge' that is automated to drop one stage right, then stage left, then stage right again to give the impression of ramps, that the 'actors' walk across each way before seen coming in on the boat. This bridge is then use later in the show, level, for the cemetery scene. But no moving walkway per say. There were many things cut from this including remote control rats etc though. so Maybe another who saw the show in 1986 could recall.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2019 9:36:34 GMT
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Post by shady23 on Jul 27, 2019 9:50:24 GMT
Sorry, just saw WOS posted it and didn't realise it was a repeat post.
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