The Phantom of the Opera - His Majesty's Theatre

This is an interesting and very sad listen: www.4barsrest.com/news/44572/the-real-phantom-menace

The idea that Phantom will now be the only West End musical not to feature live percussion (particularly when its orchestra is part of the show as a character) seems absurd.

Genuinely sad after listening to that. Not because of the keyboard/synthetic replacements but because of the passion shown by the interviewee who, like so many others, have been through hell as a result of this, on top of the pandemic.

Yes but most of those shows still employ at least one percussionist or drummer. Eg hamilton which uses lots of percussion on tracks and electronics but still employs a drummer and a percussionist, who operates a lot of the electronics. Or, in my experience, tours or shows in smaller theatres often put some percussion, especially larger instruments, on keyboards because of space restraints in orchestra pits rather than the purely financial reasons of employing more musicians as in this case

I'll take this album though as a consolation prize.

I had a lovely response from one of the companies involved in Phantom. I sensed and I may be wrong that I wasn’t the only one and that the admin staff were sympathetic.

Who knows they could be next for Mackintosh’s budget cuts.

Sounds great! I've pre-ordered the CD. (Wonder if will actually be realised in advance of the repeatedly put back Cinderella album).

Reminds me of that Phantasia thing they did when Woman in White came out. Was actually slightly disappointed by that so hopefully this will be better. 

Also CD4 of Unmasked they described various instrumentals as "2018 Orchestral suites" but in fact they were merely Overtures and Entreactes stapled together. 

Phantom of the Opera, centre stalls seat 2004. 27 piece orchestra, original production - £45. Adjusted for inflation, £70.66 in 2020. Programme £3.

Phantom of the Opera, centre stalls seat 2021. 14 piece orchestra, "new" production - £89.50.
Programme price TBC.

Inflation averaged 2.9%, a like-for-like ticket increased in price by 26.6%.

Literally and demonstrably paying more for less.

Phantom is actually a bit cheaper than it was - as £89.50 is now the top premium Saturday night price!

And it applies to West End musicals across the board - very much not a Phantom specific thing. 
The ATG shows, the Disney's, the ENO musicals and the Dominion/Palladium specials are I would argue the worst offenders. Not LWT/DMT.

But comparing it to newer shows would entirely defeat the purpose of the point, which were set up with fixed running costs and ticket prices. Phantom opened in 1986, since then ticket prices have steadily risen above the national rate of inflation, while running costs have risen in line with inflation. I know what crew and cast make. I know the increase in profits hasn't been redistributed to the cast and the crew.

Now, the running costs have been reduced due to the sackings and redesign, yet none of those savings are being given to the customer. It's a classic case of having your cake and eating it. Paying more, getting less.

But that has happened to musical theatre across the board. I agree it's a shame. It's a real shame! But even taking into account the recent cost savings at Phantom, it remains one of the least offenders. Doesn't make it right. Does make it understandable. Does mean it's still value for money relative to other shows. 

Further, setting up Phantom in 2021, the costs of the crew, the cast, the orchestra, the FOH, the building upkeep etc etc are the same as the other 2021 shows, not the same as the same show 30 odd years ago. So if we are comparing, I do think it's a more useful comparison. 

Phantom has been slimmed down over the years much less than other long runners. We had the good times for years. Post Covid is a different world (have you looked at the availability?). It needs this to survive. It's a fairly priced 2021 West End musical. It's sad for the job losses. It's great for the jobs that remain. It's great they are still doing it. It's great we still have a Phantom. Shows are gonna come and go pretty quickly once all restrictions are removed. 

This is a heartbreaking read. Mike Stanley had been with the show since opening night and is on the recording, and conversations with him many years ago at HM's inspired me to take up instruments.

I can understand where the harpist is coming from when she says she feels bereft...even for the audience, there was no closure. No chance to say goodbye to a legendary production that was London's most successful homegrown show.