The Phantom of the Opera - His Majesty's Theatre

On the chandelier scene?

Yes we had that, it was a swarm of ushers, it was really very distracting and worrying actually. I did wonder to myself that possibly it's best to let people take the photos with their phones as it would be slightly less distracting, I'm not saying it's right to do it, I cannot stand when people use their phones at the theatre, but that was really quite a big rush at the time, very distracting.[/quote]

No, all through act one. Not for taking photos but actually using their phones to text etc.

Yes, apparently Celene Schienmaker git through the matinee (very well actually, although I'd agree with the poster that she seems a little mature) and then went home: that's what I wa told at stage door by a friend in the show.

Not having seen Phantom for around eleven years. I'd forgotten what a well constructed piece it is and how magnificent it looks. Of course, we have allegiances to those we've known and loved over the years, and I missed Rachel Barrell as Christine(who did the pointe work) and Sally Harrison as Carlotta (yesterday afternoon's cover Carlotta did the flouncy, screechy thing which was both annoying and hard on the ears). However, Nadim Naamam was an ardent, well sung Raoul and after a slow start when he seemed low on charisma as well as short at both ends of the vocal range, Scott Davies' experience as The Phantom showed in what becoming a surprisingly moving and involving Second Act.

Apart from some chatter during the Act Two Entracte, audience behaviour seemed pretty good (there were one or two usher pounces on phone users) and there was an enthusiastic standing ovation from some which was impressive for a mid week matinee.

Lisa-Anne Wood tweeted she is leaving at CC
soooo...will Celinde leave too?

will Maria get promoted to alternate or will there be a new one?

No, Harriet Jones has tweeted she is the new alternate starting September

Glad she's returning. Will Celinde stay on?

Ben is only staying until March, I believe.

Ben's contracted to March 4th. Luke McCall is the new 2nd cover Phantom

Does anyone know if Sierra Boggess will be singing in French in the Paris production?

Thanks! That's really interesting. Quite a challenge.

Hey I haven't seen Phantom before planning a trip in November just to see the show. I'm not familiar with the cast set up. When they announced the cast change I saw one of my faves MT actors (Luke McCall) was cast in the show.

I read through the comments someone said he was going to be 2nd cover Phantom / swing. Now does that mean 2nd to cover the role or 2nd after the alternate?

Also are swings in Phantom there to cover certain ensemble roles or all of them? I don't know - I'm used to Les Mis!

Thank you. I probably spending a bit to see Luke as Phantom at short notice.

I found Forster okay. Much better as the Phantom than in, erm, Elf which I found him intolerable. Miles better than Scott Davies though. I've seen every Phantom cast for the last 15 years and Forster is comfortably in the middle for me. Bit camp, though.