716 posts
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Post by indis on Feb 14, 2017 21:02:57 GMT
Yes he was on, i read so much good things, so i was quite disappointed - maybe he really had a bad day f.e. in the final lair he was just standing around doing nothing, and "All i ask of you" (one of my fave songs), was not really good as well - maybe i like him better next time, i saw so many awesome Raouls the last years (Anton, Antony, Oliver) and i hoped he would be in that "area", but at the moment he is my number 6 of 6 I have seen him four or five times, and he is extremely animated in final lair - not to mention doing the most believable acting of the main three. When the Phantom and Christine kiss he looks distraught. And he is the only Raoul I have ever seen to fill in the time before the Phantom places the rope around his neck in a believable way. And his All I Ask of You, with Harriet Jones, in particular, has never failed to move me. Give him another shot - I appreciate all actors can have off days. Nadim has recently become a dad and has a very young baby, so maybe he got no sleep the night before you saw it! Ha! He is certainly better than the three you list above - in my opinion of course. I know I'm not the only one who thinks he's substantially better than most actors we have had in the role in recent years. No one beats Antons Raoul for me, esp. the final lair was sooo awesome, he nearly really did die on that rope  ) well i will see when i see Nadim again the next times i see the show maybe he surprises me for the better  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2017 21:10:26 GMT
With Ben staying till September, does that line him up to then head into ELF?
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240 posts
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Post by Anniek on Mar 15, 2017 8:45:30 GMT
anyone knows what was happening yesterday? Ben didn't carry celinde to the boat (music of the night), he didnt fall down the floor (masquerade), me and my company both thought he was playbacking during the mausoleum scene.. Nothing negative against Ben tho, I loved his portrayal a lot. and Celinde was killing it as always. Awful audience though; standing ovation in the end, but very low response in between songs.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2017 16:37:50 GMT
anyone knows what was happening yesterday? Ben didn't carry celinde to the boat (music of the night), he didnt fall down the floor (masquerade), me and my company both thought he was playbacking during the mausoleum scene.. Nothing negative against Ben tho, I loved his portrayal a lot. and Celinde was killing it as always. Awful audience though; standing ovation in the end, but very low response in between songs. Maybe an injury if he didn't carry C and didn't ride the trap..? Or trap could have failed for technical reasons, or he wasnt on the markers for the SM to que it. Any number of reasons. To my knowledge there isnt any track for the mausoleum scene ready to playback so doubt it. |
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2,041 posts
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Post by 49thand8th on Mar 15, 2017 16:42:42 GMT
I really never understood why Anthony Warlow as never brought in for Phantom. Or for any role in London, really. It was quite a strong rumour that he was coming to Phantom in London before his lymph cancer diagnosis, and unfortunately it never semed to come up again after that. To be honest I'm surprised he returned to the role in Australia for the revival given his short run in the Melbourne original - though very grateful he did as it meant i finally got to see him in the role (apparently Maria Björnson's favourite Phantom). And amazing he was too. The only other time he was scheduled to perform here that I am aware of was at a concert with Ruthie Henshall at Hampton Court Palace but he pulled out at the very last minute.. From what I remember, he got sick as he'd sat next to a guy on the flight over who was sick. He did the dress rehearsal (friends I knew back then were able to go), but that was it. I wish I had something I could link to, but people were talking about this on Le Cafe (the official site's message board at the time), and I think Center Stage (discussion board for all the Boublil/Schönberg musicals). |
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364 posts
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Post by dazzerlump on Mar 15, 2017 23:23:06 GMT
I really never understood why Anthony Warlow as never brought in for Phantom. Or for any role in London, really. I echo this!! why doesn't he ever perform here..? |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2017 23:25:24 GMT
I really never understood why Anthony Warlow as never brought in for Phantom. Or for any role in London, really. I echo this!! why doesn't he ever perform here..? Didn't he play Warbucks in Annie on Broadway and in Australia... maybe he will be brought in for that? |
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on Mar 16, 2017 5:10:33 GMT
He could do SO much better than that.
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364 posts
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Post by dazzerlump on Mar 17, 2017 14:58:43 GMT
I'd be happy to see him anything to be honest!
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2,041 posts
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Post by 49thand8th on Mar 17, 2017 15:40:39 GMT
I echo this!! why doesn't he ever perform here..? Didn't he play Warbucks in Annie on Broadway and in Australia... maybe he will be brought in for that? He played Warbucks many times in Australia and was the original Warbucks in the most recent revival on Broadway. |
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Post by ukpuppetboy on Mar 22, 2017 7:27:43 GMT
For those that weren't lucky enough to have caught his Phantom there are a few amazing quality videos on youTube from the recent Australia/NZ tour
Of Anthony and Anna O'Byrne
Mirror/Phantom of the Opera
Music of the Night
Why So Silent?
Wandering Child (with Ana Marina) - audio only
Past the Point of No Return - audio only
The Final Lair (with Ana Marina) - audio only
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449 posts
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Post by SageStageMgr on Mar 30, 2017 16:35:57 GMT
Re above: "attitude problems"
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2,242 posts
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Post by richey on Apr 19, 2017 20:50:17 GMT
What a bizarre performance from Ben Forster on tonight's Palladium show on ITV! Singing was just about ok, but he was all flailing arms and manic eye movements. Very "Carry on Phantom"
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449 posts
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Post by SageStageMgr on Apr 19, 2017 22:13:16 GMT
What a bizarre performance from Ben Forster on tonight's Palladium show on ITV! Singing was just about ok, but he was all flailing arms and manic eye movements. Very "Carry on Phantom" Like in the show then. Camper than Joback. |
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716 posts
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Post by indis on Apr 20, 2017 3:52:40 GMT
What a bizarre performance from Ben Forster on tonight's Palladium show on ITV! Singing was just about ok, but he was all flailing arms and manic eye movements. Very "Carry on Phantom" Like in the show then. Camper than Joback. his Phantom is always full of flailing arms, manic eye movements and very heavy overacting like Jobacks Phantom very much though someone on FB mentioned Ben might stay after cast change in September , anyone heard anything (because i hope we get a new Phantom) + on the issue of the TV-Performance: nice that they completely ignored Maria and not even said her name at the beginning  |
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2,242 posts
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Post by richey on Apr 20, 2017 7:18:38 GMT
What a bizarre performance from Ben Forster on tonight's Palladium show on ITV! Singing was just about ok, but he was all flailing arms and manic eye movements. Very "Carry on Phantom" Like in the show then. Camper than Joback. I had been planning on going to see him in the role but on the strength of that performance decided not to bother |
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Post by stevej678 on Apr 20, 2017 7:23:57 GMT
I was half expecting him to finish with a quick burst of Sparklejollytwinklejingley, complete with jazz hands. Looking forward to seeing Half a Sixpence on there next week though.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2017 8:08:22 GMT
Also not a fan of BFs interpretation of The Phantom, especially the persistently smacking himself in the head during the Final Lair. I assume his understanding of the character is he has some mental challenges going on and that manifests itself in ticks of hitting himself. Certainly didnt it.
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449 posts
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Post by SageStageMgr on Apr 20, 2017 15:16:38 GMT
It's poor at the moment (Phantom) and BF is the main problem. Scott Davies is better but not much. Desperately needs new blood
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2017 15:19:52 GMT
It's poor at the moment (Phantom) and BF is the main problem. Scott Davies is better but not much. Desperately needs new blood Scott Davies is hands down the best Phantom I've seen. I feel BF does let down the current cast but Nadim's Raoul saves the show. His interpretation of Raoul is the most genuine I've seen and the only interpretation I've liked in many years of seeing the show. Long may he stay! |
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Post by jgblunners on Apr 20, 2017 15:19:53 GMT
What's Luke McCall (swing & cover Phantom) like? Loved his Enjolras so have been trying to see him as the Phantom, but I keep not being able to make the days he's on.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2017 15:30:06 GMT
I don't understand how this guy keeps getting roles. His superstar was a shambles and his phantom is awful. I went to the 30th anniversary show
And adored this show. But I won't be going again while he is in the role. Awful interpretation mike mckerracher and john owen jones and ramin for me.
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449 posts
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Post by SageStageMgr on Apr 20, 2017 16:12:14 GMT
I won't go back until he's gone. Even then I hope they don't do anything boring like bring back Earl, again, or JOJ, again.
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651 posts
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Post by greeny11 on Apr 20, 2017 18:40:21 GMT
What's Luke McCall (swing & cover Phantom) like? Loved his Enjolras so have been trying to see him as the Phantom, but I keep not being able to make the days he's on. Luke is excellent, and I wish he was the standby as I much preferred his Phantom to Scott. Luke has a great voice, and had great chemistry with Celinde. Have to confess that I have become a fan of Ben's Phantom - his singing is a lot stronger now than it was at the start of his run, plus I like his take on the Phantom. His Final Lair is probably my favourite part of his performance. |
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Post by Raven on Apr 20, 2017 18:58:41 GMT
I must admit having read some reviews, both on here and elsewhere, I decided I wouldn't contemplate returning to see the Phantom until Ben left. Out of curiosity - and to make my own judgement - I decided to watch Ben's performance and was pleasantly surprised. There are a few niggles for me, such as his pronunciation (or should I say diction?) of some phrases and words throughout the song. However, I guess what makes the show interesting and keeps it fresh is each actor's own individual depiction of the Phantom's character. Ramin has always been my favourite and felt his vulnerable portrayal really worked. I might find myself going to see the Phantom again after all just to make my own full judgement having then seen the full show.
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) well i will see when i see Nadim again the next times i see the show maybe he surprises me for the better 
