The Phantom of the Opera - His Majesty's Theatre

Going back to Rebecca Caine, she spoke about this in some detail a few years ago when she did an interview/mini concert night at Charing Cross/New Players theatre. This was before MeToo was a movement, and it was really sad to hear about. She spoke about her treatment from a few fairly nasty men.

The Canadian recording of Phantom with her in remains my favourite. Such a voice.

The first half of the overture is ‘just’ organ and drums - this is pre-recorded in every production. The live orchestra hits in with the key change. It had such a brilliant impact - spine-tingling!

Please let this be true!

SQUEAAAAAAAL!!!!

Great news if true. We'll have to see...I'm setting my expectations low since the producers claimed in response to enquiries last year in relation to the tour that this would happen for the tour as well, and then that didn't happen.

I'm more concerned about the state of the proscenium. And whether they will use stagehands the remove the drapes covering the actual proscenium, or use that false internal frame with the sides of the proscenium having that tacky-looking cracked effect.

Nobody said anything…😂

As others have already said, if this is true then this is promising. And if what you say about it being the original design but bigger is true, does this mean the Angel will remain intact? Did your friend mention anything regarding that? 

And I hate to be that guy, but I'm still somewhat sceptical. As we've seen with the orchestra being reduced from 27 to 14 and CM saying that it would be the touring version going into HMT, it's hard to faith a lot of faith. But I will see for myself and if what you say is true, then I'll eat my own words.  

Well the thing is, ALW does constantly lie and exaggerate. Everything new he has ever written in the past two decades is always his "best work" prior to release and when promoting it. I remember all the LnD spiel, how it "seamlessly continued the greatest love story ever told" or something. Same with Woman in White et al. He latches onto shows - or people - and builds up this massive expectation and pridefulness. Examples: Sarah Brightman, Ramin Karimloo, Carrie Hope Fletcher.

Then he gets bored and moves on to something else.

I like to think he is just hyperbolic and full of hubris with genuine excitement, rather than for more cynical reasons. I have my doubts, though.

He has always, always described the newest AAA production of one of his shows "the most ambitious, spectacular ever staged" or similar.

Basically, the man wittingly or unwittingly constantly lies. He lied about the original production definitely coming back (broken promise). Of course he's not going to admit it's sub-standard in any way, he's not a moron.

Another delusional/mendacious set of soundbites.

The set wasn't as old as he claims and the major pieces had been regularly replaced over the course of the run. The use of the word "basically" is a rather heavy qualifier re the design staying the same, because it won't be. If it were then there'd be no need to credit Matt Kinley for "adapting" the original design. Losing those drapes and that proscenium will have a huge impact on the show's aesthetics.

And I've heard that 14-piece orchestration in other international productions. There is simply no comparison.

The idea that this will be "bigger and better" than the brilliant original that he and Cameron have thrown under the bus is hilarious.

That’s not a collapsable “land on the stage” chandelier, is it?

Doesn’t look like a projection to me. Probably just put there for decoration. What concerns me is whether they are abandoning all under-stage trap doors and the candelabra rising effect… It looks like the basement has been completely shut and paved over. After all, didn’t they remove the Victorian machinery?