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Post by thinkbigkimmie on Oct 8, 2023 16:57:12 GMT
I saw this last weekend and was blown away by Jon Robyns. Usually when I see Phantom, I silently (and probably unfairly) condemn the Phantom actor for being inferior to Michael Crawford. Oftentimes their acting is good; I just want the vocals to sound better. But Robyns' voice was gorgeous. If I lived in London, I'd be going back for repeat visits.
However, I have one complaint/question about this production: Why was the tempo of so many songs accelerated, compared with the Broadway production and the official recordings (OBC and RAH)? Was this one of the post-pandemic changes? I've visited His/Her Majesty's for Phantom on only one other occasion, in 2016, and I don't recall the songs sounding too fast then.
Anyway, I'm just wondering if others noticed and were bothered by it.
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Post by SuttonPeron on Oct 8, 2023 18:53:52 GMT
I haven´t been nor do I intend to, but it seems the current MD, Malcolm Forbes-Peckham, really loves a quick show. I´ve seen footage of the playout... and that is NOT the speed it should be played at!
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Post by BVM on Oct 8, 2023 19:33:44 GMT
I saw this last weekend and was blown away by Jon Robyns. Usually when I see Phantom, I silently (and probably unfairly) condemn the Phantom actor for being inferior to Michael Crawford. Oftentimes their acting is good; I just want the vocals to sound better. But Robyns' voice was gorgeous. If I lived in London, I'd be going back for repeat visits. However, I have one complaint/question about this production: Why was the tempo of so many songs accelerated, compared with the Broadway production and the official recordings (OBC and RAH)? Was this one of the post-pandemic changes? I've visited His/Her Majesty's for Phantom on only one other occasion, in 2016, and I don't recall the songs sounding too fast then. Anyway, I'm just wondering if others noticed and were bothered by it. Very interesting question, very hard to answer! Certainly people say they feel tempo is increased in long running musicals an awful lot - particularly Phantom and Les Mis! Often with a throwaway joke about the conductor wishing to get home. Against this (in my experience) is that for the last 20 odd years (or whenever it moved from Palace) I land post show on the pavement outside the Queen's/Sondheim at much the same time. Ditto Her/His Majesty's. So noticeable time has not been shaved off either show. I think: - It might be a teeeeeny bit faster - If it is I didn't notice a change pre and post pandemic - The modern orchestrations (for both shows) and digital sound designs I think may give the illusion of speed. Ditto the more modern automations making scene transitions "smoother." - For some reason I think almost all shows sound faster in the theatre than on the recording - again no idea if perception due to being in theatre or actually faster. (Stephen Ward and Cinderella sounded SO much faster in situ to me). So yeah possibly it is; but IMHO not to the degree that's often stated. (Also ALW has pretty keen interest in his shows in general but obsessive control in musical direction, at least for the UK RUG stuff. So if it is faster it'll be as that's how he wants it to sound now!) On another matter, I agree Jon Robyns is sensational - in voice and acting for me. And in general, the production is very strong currently :-) |
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Post by goldeneye on Oct 9, 2023 8:21:12 GMT
I think that the tempo of the music in the RAH anniversary production is too slow. "Think of me" for example is dragging. That needs to sound much more exciting and full of life.
Speaking of the music, I wish they would remove the dreadful electric guitars in the cadenza of the title song. It avoids the adrenaline rush that the chords otherwise gave the audience. Now it sounds bland, chaotic and dated.
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Post by capybara on Oct 9, 2023 8:58:24 GMT
Anyone else having problems accessing the right date and tickets via the day tickets link?
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Post by thinkbigkimmie on Oct 14, 2023 17:31:35 GMT
Very interesting question, very hard to answer! Certainly people say they feel tempo is increased in long running musicals an awful lot - particularly Phantom and Les Mis! Often with a throwaway joke about the conductor wishing to get home. Against this (in my experience) is that for the last 20 odd years (or whenever it moved from Palace) I land post show on the pavement outside the Queen's/Sondheim at much the same time. Ditto Her/His Majesty's. So noticeable time has not been shaved off either show. I think: - It might be a teeeeeny bit faster - If it is I didn't notice a change pre and post pandemic - The modern orchestrations (for both shows) and digital sound designs I think may give the illusion of speed. Ditto the more modern automations making scene transitions "smoother." - For some reason I think almost all shows sound faster in the theatre than on the recording - again no idea if perception due to being in theatre or actually faster. (Stephen Ward and Cinderella sounded SO much faster in situ to me). So yeah possibly it is; but IMHO not to the degree that's often stated. (Also ALW has pretty keen interest in his shows in general but obsessive control in musical direction, at least for the UK RUG stuff. So if it is faster it'll be as that's how he wants it to sound now!) On another matter, I agree Jon Robyns is sensational - in voice and acting for me. And in general, the production is very strong currently :-) The night I saw it, several songs, including "Think of Me," "Entr'Acte," and "Point of No Return" were noticeably faster than they were when I saw it on Broadway in April. If it's an artistic choice, I respect it, but I found it a little jarring. Regarding Jon Robyns, I hope he stays in this role a long time. I'd buy a new cast album with him on it. I forgot to mention that we also saw Eve Shanu-Wilson as Christine. I thought she seemed a bit tentative at the start of the show, but she came into her own as the night want on (lol, perhaps a bit like Christine!). Her "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" was transportive. Overall it was a great evening. We had limited time in London and had to make some hard choices about what to do; I'm really glad we made time for this show. |
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Post by capybara on Dec 2, 2023 0:49:22 GMT
I’ve been trying to make only my second trip to see Phantom for what feels like ages and today I final stumbled across a very decent day ticket in the dress circle - unfortunately box five was reserved.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s biggest musical success is undoubtedly a piece of museum theatre but that doesn’t make it any less captivating. The score is so familiar and it’s so unlike any commercial theatre we see playing in London and New York these days. Even with its post-Covid reduced set and orchestra production, it is still an incredible spectacle.
Jon Robyns, who I saw earlier this year as a wonderful Jean Valjean, really grew on me as the Phantom, was vocally wonderful and thrilling as his character unravelled.
But, as vital as the Phantom may be, this show hinges almost entirely on the singing and acting ability of its Christine. Having previously seen Holly-Anne Hull cover the role before her promotion, I was treated to first cover Eve Shanu-Wilson. She was completely divine and appeared as if she plays Christine eight shows a week, such was her natural portrayal.
It’s easy to overlook long-runners like Phantom. They don’t grab the headlines in 2023. But this show has been running in this theatre for over 37 years now. That in itself is a truly astounding achievement.
Five stars.
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Post by toomasj on Dec 2, 2023 15:06:37 GMT
Phantom’s never quite been the same to me since, erm, this happened;
Love Never Dies really tarnished Phantom for me, someone who considers himself a lapsed, now ex-Phan.
I’d go back if they did something extraordinary with the casting; brought across Warlow, or something like that. But the days of John Owen-Jones and Earl Carpenter in his prime, supported by the absolute best talent we have like Gina Beck, Ramin Karimloo at his level as Raoul, are long gone in my view.
There was a musty old charm to the original production, which I saw in the triple digits. I’ve seen the new production once and it was the poor cast as much as the changes and reduced orchestra which I disliked.
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Post by topaz on Dec 25, 2023 9:04:42 GMT
Count me as another Eve S-W fan - caught her Christine recently and thought she was great. She seems to have been acting as an unofficial alternate for the past few months, and there’s a rumour that Paige will leave at the end of this contract. Has anyone heard anything about who might replace her if so? I assume it’s likelier to be a new actress than an existing cover with her own ensemble track?
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Post by 141920grm on Dec 27, 2023 13:32:10 GMT
I miss that musty old charm, an entire 2-minute sequence dedicated to unshrouding the chandelier and a theatre coming back to life via time hop just isn’t as atmospheric in bright clean saturated HD…
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Post by anthony on Jan 13, 2024 10:44:01 GMT
Just booked for the matinee today. 4th time trying to see Robyns! I do love Gant (and actually, think he's probably the best Phantom we've had (well, except Earl returning for a few months!) in around a decade!) but I do really want to see Robyns...
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Post by solangelafitte on Jan 16, 2024 16:05:23 GMT
Has Paige already left? Was just on the Phantom website and her bio seems to be gone. Unless I've just completely lost my mind, which is an option. I feel like she went from being on a lot to not much at all the last couple of months. Do hope she's alright whatever the reason was for her leaving anyway.
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Post by topaz on Jan 16, 2024 16:23:17 GMT
It appears she has, yes, having gone from excellent attendance to only a handful of shows here and there in August - December. I hope she's alright too! One of the Phantom covers has posted today about being in rehearsal right now, which suggests a new cast member joining imminently (?), but not a murmur of an announcement...
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Post by azuraathena on Jan 16, 2024 17:58:58 GMT
It appears she has, yes, having gone from excellent attendance to only a handful of shows here and there in August - December. I hope she's alright too! One of the Phantom covers has posted today about being in rehearsal right now, which suggests a new cast member joining imminently (?), but not a murmur of an announcement... That could be rehearsals for Janet Mooney who is currently covering for Melanie Gowie whilst she is on Maternity Leave. Janet is probably also second cover Madame Giry so they could just be re-rehearsing her for that role. The new Christine was apparently only cast last week and won’t start until March according to some people. |
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Post by topaz on Jan 16, 2024 19:11:25 GMT
That could be rehearsals for Janet Mooney who is currently covering for Melanie Gowie whilst she is on Maternity Leave. Janet is probably also second cover Madame Giry so they could just be re-rehearsing her for that role. The new Christine was apparently only cast last week and won’t start until March according to some people. Have you heard any potential new Christine names? |
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Post by demelza on Jan 16, 2024 20:32:55 GMT
Has Paige already left? Was just on the Phantom website and her bio seems to be gone. Unless I've just completely lost my mind, which is an option. I feel like she went from being on a lot to not much at all the last couple of months. Do hope she's alright whatever the reason was for her leaving anyway. Paige left last week, I believe! Same, I hope she's alright. Was hoping I'd get to see her in the role as I'd heard good things from a few friends who had seen her but sadly that won't happen now! |
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Post by solangelafitte on Jan 16, 2024 21:38:08 GMT
Has Paige already left? Was just on the Phantom website and her bio seems to be gone. Unless I've just completely lost my mind, which is an option. I feel like she went from being on a lot to not much at all the last couple of months. Do hope she's alright whatever the reason was for her leaving anyway. Paige left last week, I believe! Same, I hope she's alright. Was hoping I'd get to see her in the role as I'd heard good things from a few friends who had seen her but sadly that won't happen now! She was a really lovely Christine! And obviously this is not the *defining* aspect of a good Christine, but she was the most adorable Page Boy in Il Muto I've seen. |
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Post by azuraathena on Jan 16, 2024 22:25:00 GMT
That could be rehearsals for Janet Mooney who is currently covering for Melanie Gowie whilst she is on Maternity Leave. Janet is probably also second cover Madame Giry so they could just be re-rehearsing her for that role. The new Christine was apparently only cast last week and won’t start until March according to some people. Have you heard any potential new Christine names? I have heard one name but don’t feel comfortable putting it publicly as it is still only rumours. All I will say is the name is someone who has played the role before and they were an understudy when they were part of the show. |
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Post by VodkaStinger on Jan 17, 2024 10:17:53 GMT
Yesterday it was my first time seeing the new-ish production. Quite a few empty seats in the stalls, wonder why they don't bring rush tickets back.
Michael Colbourne was playing Rauol. Is it just me or does very much resemble Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice in this role?
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Jan 17, 2024 11:13:20 GMT
I've heard it's someone who's never done the role before and this is only her 2nd professional credit in the West End I believe.
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Post by Musicality21 on Jan 20, 2024 22:37:21 GMT
We've just come back from seeing the Three Phantoms concert in Manchester tonight at the Bridgewater Hall. I've seen Phantom many times, but there was something rather incredible in hearing the Halle Orchestra play some of the music. Absolutely brilliant evening!
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Post by toomasj on Jan 21, 2024 0:20:27 GMT
We've just come back from seeing the Three Phantoms concert in Manchester tonight at the Bridgewater Hall. I've seen Phantom many times, but there was something rather incredible in hearing the Halle Orchestra play some of the music. Absolutely brilliant evening! Who was on? |
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Post by 141920grm on Jan 21, 2024 2:17:54 GMT
We've just come back from seeing the Three Phantoms concert in Manchester tonight at the Bridgewater Hall. I've seen Phantom many times, but there was something rather incredible in hearing the Halle Orchestra play some of the music. Absolutely brilliant evening! Who was on? James Hume, Rohan Tickell, Richard Woodford, Olivia Brereton, Celia Graham (https://halle.co.uk/event/three-phantoms/)- how I wish I could've seen Olivia and Celia's Christines live! Also if I'm not mistaken, Earl Carpenter produces this |
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Post by Musicality21 on Jan 21, 2024 8:30:17 GMT
Yes, it was all of the above, thank you 🙂
We booked it before they announced who was performing and had wondered if Earl Carpenter would be in it, but obviously not. However they were all fantastic and it was such a good night. They had a bit of banter with each other, including a moment where the three men asked the two Christines who was their favourite Phantom (hoping they picked one of them) and they both said John Owen Jones, which got some laughs.
It was such a treat to hear such a fabulous orchestra. We are very lucky to have the Halle up here. I kept thinking that I wished they could do a whole concert of Phantom, but I don't think that will ever happen!
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Post by demelza on Jan 21, 2024 13:54:10 GMT
Yes, it was all of the above, thank you 🙂 We booked it before they announced who was performing and had wondered if Earl Carpenter would be in it, but obviously not. However they were all fantastic and it was such a good night. They had a bit of banter with each other, including a moment where the three men asked the two Christines who was their favourite Phantom (hoping they picked one of them) and they both said John Owen Jones, which got some laughs. It was such a treat to hear such a fabulous orchestra. We are very lucky to have the Halle up here. I kept thinking that I wished they could do a whole concert of Phantom, but I don't think that will ever happen! I think Earl's out in Japan doing a concert atm, based on what I've seen on Holly-Anne Hull's tiktok recently! How lucky you got to see Celia Graham! Funnily enough, I was wondering the other day what she was up to |
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