The Phantom of the Opera - His Majesty's Theatre

"But that's not what they're doing." 

Sorry but – do we know the specifics of what they're doing? Aside from a planning application (addressed to Westminster Council rather than the public) has there been any evidence of what set is going IN – what's being built, whether or not it's the tour etc. All we've got is what detailing to expect around the proscenium. 

Honestly don't think we can complain through sustained conjecture until the day that it opens and people actually see the show – then they can say that it is a "downgrade" or whatever word people want to use. 

Oh come on! You don't think Cam will reuse the uk tour sets? Most of the sets were replicas of the original. This will save him time and money. There's no problems about this, but everyone is angry with the state of the chandelier, angel, proscenium and orchestra. 

No confirmations but this should explain it 

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The new chandelier seems to be one piece, no collapsing tiers or wheels. 


Chandelier construction for the 2020 Japan Revival. Note the wheels at the bottom so it glides on stage. They get hidden by various beading. 

I don't know why social media's sharing the shoddy cropped version of the mockup with the chandelier half cut-off, leading to all the indignant cries of "you can't even see the chandelier properly, how can you make such conjectures!" and some people using that to invalidate others' concerns- the un-cropped mockup from the original planning document shows the whole chandelier, which, despite not proving anyone right or wrong at this stage, puts a stop to that aforementioned and frankly tiring comeback.

I was never impressed with the chandelier anyway. It never crashed onto the stage and moved so slow you knew what was coming. It was the most underwhelming effect in my view which was grossly overplayed.

Another thought, is that my God, after the year we have had, whatever form the chandelier takes I will be beyond euphoric to see Phantom open in the West End again. Literally counting the days! Just a shame we don't know exactly how many days!

I take it you never saw the replacement Glass Elevator in Charlie then 
A scissor lift with some black drape wrapped round it. Now that was underwhelming.

Whereas I see a marriage of the two as it’s strength. I find some of the ‘operetta’ style grates and goes on a touch too long for me so need a bit of flashy shiny to occupy my tiny brain. Nostalgia plays a massive part, people wanting to see what they saw before with no possible notion that it might be better or an improvement.

Surely all people go to the theatre for the experience? If an actor or the writing is naff you will rightly moan about it regardless of if you know the name of the said naff person.

Set and effects are part of the story telling but they shouldn't be the central part.

It is obvious that the mere dangling of the will it / won't it chandelier "carrot" is making many people bite. It will rise, it will fall, and those who seek reassurance that they are getting the original and best will be satisfied. Personally, I'd love to see an effect that showcases the best of 2021 technology and immersive/experiential theatre. The twee effects of the 80's can hopefully rest in peace - wouldn't it be great to see better pyro and effects than those naff pops and lightning bolts that made Phantom look positively camp towards the end of its glorious run... (Not that there is anything wrong with positively camp - I'd just like to see the creative team given the licence to go a bit nuts and reinvigorate a really great show, without the whiff of Cameron's cost control.) What greater gift to the West End (and the world) than a properly reworked masterpiece fit for 2021? And if there aren't Phantom facemasks for the Covid era then I'll be mightily miffed! Fingers crossed for 5 June - does anybody think it will reopen on that day?

I have been thinking about this.

If there is one thing that's clear - it's all very unpredictable what the regulations will be. However I think the way things are going, socially distanced theatre WILL be allowed by June (it was allowed in December and we will soon be back at those levels, but this time WITH a vaccine).

It is also my hunch that it is incredibly unlikely that non socially distanced auditoria will be allowed by then.

So the question I think is - would the producers happily open with social distancing? As Jamie and Six did. Clearly it would be a financial hit but at least this time they would know that fuller audiences will be allowed at some point and it is very unlikely they will have to close (in retrospect, it was sadly inevitable for the December stuff). And the producers can afford a temporary hit - I do think they'd still make a profit in fact, all be it a smaller one. And as Nica Burns felt, even if they don't make a profit, it would be of huge holistic benefit to the industry. 

I REALLY hope they'll take the hit and open with social distancing. Though I worry CM will go back to his "couldn't possibly run without the whole house sold" mentality. 

Exactly the same thought process for Les Mis....