The Phantom of the Opera - His Majesty's Theatre

The state of ENO's finances and the scale at which it should operate have been bones of contention in the opera world for decades!

Well, even more credit where it's due then for the pursuit of excellence instead of watering itself down for the sake of contention. At least some Producers still have it in them!

I certainly wouldn't argue that historical commercial success makes a difference to contemporary running costs. I was simply pointing out that this is a show that is (presumably) still fully financially viable; indeed, more than that, a show that is extremely successful and profitable. This is something almost completely unique within musical theatre, where almost no shows come close to making any kind of profit. So if any show can afford a 27-piece orchestra, the type of orchestra that the score was written for, then it would be this one.  ALW is on record as being passionate, to the point of obsession, about how his shows sound. I recall something in his autobiography about how he wasn't as keen on Cats on Broadway (as compared to the West End) because the orchestrations had to be scaled up for a larger orchestra due to union regulations at the time, which wasn't what he had in mind when he composed it. Every musical is conceived with a particular sound in mind. That sound can be reinvented or altered for new productions (the best production of Sweeny Todd I ever saw was accompanied by a single piano). But I don't believe that is what is happening here. It's not an artistic decision, and if it's not artistic, and not necessary to make the show financially viable, then it's unfortunate it is happening at all. On the other hand, if this literally makes the difference between the show running and closing then I understand, although it's sad.
                                                       
I also think it is risky to say that people won't notice the difference. Many won't. Others will, even if they're not sure what it is that is making that difference. You never know who you have in the audience. A lot of Phantom's appeal is in its opulence - the richness of its emotions, its costumes, its narrative, its sound. It is also why some people don't like it and find it overblown and sickly. That richness is the show's essential character. I think that taking pride in one's work is never something to be underestimated. One should always try to make things the best they can be, and the best you can make them with the resources you have available. I often think of a story I heard about the Statue of Liberty. I was told that the person who designed it took as much care with the top view of her head as they did with every other aspect of it. They had no idea that, one day, people would be able to fly over it and see what they had done - as far as they knew the top was invisible. But it mattered to them to make it as perfect as they could. 

Profit is important. Being financially viable is vital. But if something is profitable, and can afford to go the extra mile to be as special as it can be, I don't think it is overly romantic to hope that those responsible will treat it with love, respect and personal pride - and ensure that it is the very best production it can be. If it was my show, that's what I would want.

Sounds great, can’t wait 👀

The difference between a 14 piece orchestra and 27 piece orchestra is like drinking tea out of a porcelain mug or a nice bone china cup and saucer. Well you can drink out of a porcelain mug in your local Wimpy.

If the London Les Mis went to New York, they would laugh it out of town.

Errr, it did, in 2014. And received three Tony nominations. It also ran a lot longer than the 2006 Broadway revival of the original production.

Most criminal was the change to the fluffy nougat interior of the humble Milky Way from brown to white. I've never forgiven them for it, even though it was marketed as the "brilliant and original Milky Way" and prices still went up year after year.

This is disgusting

And still no news on the reassigning of tickets that were prebooked. Who is managing this shambles?

God that's so sad to see the whole orchestra do that zoom and not realise that was the last time they'd play together albeit virtually. 

This is what I spoke of there are real life people behind what made Phantom so successful and contributed to it's longevity. 

And it had a bigger orchestra...