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Post by ali973 on Apr 20, 2017 19:07:17 GMT
The last time I remember there was such vehement disapproval of a Phantom was back in 1997 when Simon Bowman got bumped up from playing Raoul to Phantom. Speaking of which, it's interesting that this never happens anymore. There was a long period of time when Raoul was a a stepping stone to Phantom.
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Post by ShoesForRent on Apr 20, 2017 19:15:45 GMT
The last time I remember there was such vehement disapproval of a Phantom was back in 1997 when Simon Bowman got bumped up from playing Raoul to Phantom. Speaking of which, it's interesting that this never happens anymore. There was a long period of time when Raoul was a a stepping stone to Phantom. I didn't know this was a thing- and it's strange to me it ever was- considering how different those roles are, what with vocal range, "type", age etc. |
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Post by ali973 on Apr 20, 2017 19:32:00 GMT
At the top of my mind, Simon Bowman, Ramin Karimloo, Hugh Panaro, Gardar Thor Cortez, Steve Barton, Davis Gaines were all Raoul (and some I believe Phantom understudies) before taking over Phantom full time.
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Post by 49thand8th on Apr 20, 2017 19:40:06 GMT
Sometime in the late '90s I believe it became pretty commonplace for Raoul to understudy the Phantom, and/or at least one guy in the cast to understudy both.
Kevin Gray may have been the first to play both in the US without having understudied either first.
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Post by ali973 on Apr 20, 2017 19:41:05 GMT
I was going to say Kevin Gray but wasn't sure he played Raoul or not!
He was a fantastic performer. RIP.
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Post by ShoesForRent on Apr 20, 2017 19:54:46 GMT
No, I knew there were actors who have played both (Ramin and Hugh sprang to my mind too)- I just wasn't aware it was common practice to have Raoul be a stepping stone/ test run for playing the Phantom at some point.
Some that I heard in both were terrific in both, and clearly not all actors are one type actors- I just wasn't sure why that would be a producers' mindset- that every actor must first play a completely different role to get a crack at the Phantom.
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Post by ali973 on Apr 20, 2017 20:01:48 GMT
I think it was more pragmatic than a stepping stone or "training" role. I think back then most of these Raouls were 2nd cover for Phantom, so it made more sense to bump them up to full time Phantom than recruit externally. I don't know, I just made that up.
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Post by ShoesForRent on Apr 20, 2017 20:04:14 GMT
Ahh I see- that does make more sense, especially because it makes more sense to have the men cover both the roles (thus less covers= less paychecks, I guess).
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Post by 49thand8th on Apr 20, 2017 20:20:01 GMT
I think it was more pragmatic than a stepping stone or "training" role. I think back then most of these Raouls were 2nd cover for Phantom, so it made more sense to bump them up to full time Phantom than recruit externally. I don't know, I just made that up. There's probably some truth to it (at least in the US, where understudies aren't officially/commonly ranked). You have one guy playing Raoul and understudying the Phantom...who takes over as the Phantom, and then you can get a younger/cheaper guy take over as Raoul. Or a previous understudy there too, in which case you then hire a fresh-out-of-college guy for that ensemble role, who can really only negotiate the minimum salary. Though I don't think you can say that was always the pattern. Christopher Carl and Jason Pebworth come to mind as two US non-Broadway-production guys who never took over as the Phantom but understudied the role while playing Raoul. |
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Post by distantcousin on Apr 20, 2017 20:40:29 GMT
The last time I remember there was such vehement disapproval of a Phantom was back in 1997 when Simon Bowman got bumped up from playing Raoul to Phantom. Speaking of which, it's interesting that this never happens anymore. There was a long period of time when Raoul was a a stepping stone to Phantom. Yes, La Bowman was playing The Phantom when I saw it in Dec 96  (my first time) Didn't realise he was unpopular. |
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Post by SageStageMgr on Apr 20, 2017 22:15:40 GMT
The last time I remember there was such vehement disapproval of a Phantom was back in 1997 when Simon Bowman got bumped up from playing Raoul to Phantom. Speaking of which, it's interesting that this never happens anymore. There was a long period of time when Raoul was a a stepping stone to Phantom. Yes, La Bowman was playing The Phantom when I saw it in Dec 96 (my first time) Didn't realise he was unpopular. The only thing more unpopular than Bowman's Phantom is Bowman's Valjean... |
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Post by Oleanna on Apr 20, 2017 23:51:22 GMT
Why does Forster sing with an American accent?
And he clearly hasn't a clue what to do with his voice in this role. All over the place, with different vocal qualities in every phrase.
Superficial interpretation displaying lack of basic understanding of character, story and physical and vocal communication.
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Post by indis on May 5, 2017 19:04:46 GMT
Ben Forster injured himself in yesterdays show (i think) - read on twitter about "bone occlusion and ligament damage" - sounds as if
he might be off quite a time , will they bring in an other phantom for that time? wonder if he will be fit for West End Live
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Post by zermatt on May 6, 2017 0:00:27 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! Completely agree re Scott and re Nadim. I saw the show just over a fortnight ago and was lucky enough to have Scott, Harriet Jones as Christine, and Nadim as the main trio. It was brilliant - intense, moving, romantic and powerful. Scott for me has the perfect combination of a rich singing voice and vulnerability. When he breaks down, he is like a lost child. Very sympathetic at the end. Given all the chat here re Raoul's becoming Phantoms, I would be very curious to see Nadim as the Phantom one day. When on stage with Ben, he has the more rich, soulful voice between the two, and he sings the title song brilliantly on his album - even if the style of that cover may not be for purists of the show! Maybe when he's a little older, as he still looks quite boyish. But then again, he is 3 or 4 years older than JOJ or Ramin when they first played the role, and his head would be covered in latex and a mask! |
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2017 8:12:26 GMT
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! Completely agree re Scott and re Nadim. I saw the show just over a fortnight ago and was lucky enough to have Scott, Harriet Jones as Christine, and Nadim as the main trio. It was brilliant - intense, moving, romantic and powerful. Scott for me has the perfect combination of a rich singing voice and vulnerability. When he breaks down, he is like a lost child. Very sympathetic at the end. Given all the chat here re Raoul's becoming Phantoms, I would be very curious to see Nadim as the Phantom one day. When on stage with Ben, he has the more rich, soulful voice between the two, and he sings the title song brilliantly on his album - even if the style of that cover may not be for purists of the show! Maybe when he's a little older, as he still looks quite boyish. But then again, he is 3 or 4 years older than JOJ or Ramin when they first played the role, and his head would be covered in latex and a mask! Yes. What I find interesting is that Scott has being playing the Phantom on and off now for nearly 20 years (I saw him on the UK Tour in 1999 but that run started in 1998!) and he doesn't seem to have got bored or complacent with the role. Each performance is as energetic and engaging as his first. Edit: some research reveals he was first credited as Standby Phantom in April 1997 so 20 years! |
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Post by distantcousin on May 14, 2017 23:02:42 GMT
If anyone knows if and when Scott is performing, I'd definitely go and see him!
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2017 12:45:45 GMT
There is an advert in The Stage, open auditions for the West End production are at the end of May!
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2017 18:58:10 GMT
Ben Foster has announced his return to ELF end of the year, so a new lead is expected in the next few months.
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Post by daniel on May 19, 2017 19:24:43 GMT
There is an advert in The Stage, open auditions for the West End production are at the end of May! how are your cymbal-playing skills @theatremonkey? |
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Post by Dawnstar on May 19, 2017 20:16:50 GMT
This board's turning into a recruitment agency for @theatremonkey !
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Post by indis on May 19, 2017 20:52:25 GMT
oooh, a new Phantom? exciting!
now please give me a new Raoul as well, need some fresh blood in this role, Nadim is not really my thing
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Post by daniel on May 19, 2017 22:03:24 GMT
Would love to see Jeremy Secomb don the mask full time.
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Post by cheesy116 on May 19, 2017 22:09:40 GMT
I would like to see Norm Lewis don the mask here
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Post by SageStageMgr on May 19, 2017 22:10:31 GMT
No please no. Someone completely NEW please. Potentially foreign, I don't care. As long as they're someone who has never played the role over here before. No former understudies, no returning Earl Carpenter for the 63rd time. Please please give us someone original who is actually OLD enough and GOOD enough.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2017 8:21:53 GMT
oooh, a new Phantom? exciting! now please give me a new Raoul as well, need some fresh blood in this role, Nadim is not really my thing 100% disagree. Nadim is the only person Ive seen completely understand Raoul and give it a fresh, almost innocent approach. Looking forward to a new Phantom. Elf starts in Plymouth 11th November. So my guess is BF will leave early September for time off into rehearsal Oct. Infact last key cast change was first week of September 2015 so that week 2017 is when the the contract runs out and new principals join. Edit: BF last performance is Saturday 2 September |
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(my first time)
