Hi,

I'm currently reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.

What bugs me is the way Heathcliff treats Cathy Linton. Heathcliff, no doubt, hates everything there is to do with Edgar Linton. But on the other hand, shouldn't he love Catherine's daughter as much as he loves her?

When little Cathy Linton was born, Edgar later grew to love his daughter, not so much as herself, but more of the fact that she has a relation to Catherine Earnshaw (the mother), and Edgar loves the mother dearly.

Based on this, wouldn't it be the same for Heathcliff? He loves the mother dearly, and one would think that he would love anything related to her - even more so, her own daughter. Shouldn't his love for her surpass his hatred for Edgar?

Phantom: Marcus Lovett

Raoul: Simon Thomas

Madame Giry: Louisa Lydell

Meg: Layla Harrison

Carlotta: Lara Martins



ML was ok. In my opinion, not the best I've heard and seen, both acting and singing wise.. just ok. I've had the privilege of seeing Earl Carpenter, and Hugh Panaro on Broadway and I enjoyed their performances tremendously.

ML's accent was somewhat American, I just wished that he could have tweaked it a little to better suit the role.

The first boo-boo was that Mdm Giry dropped her cane :D
In was during the scene when they were comparing the letters they got from OG. It was all quiet and then, a loud thump. She calmly picked it up.

At the part when Phantom threw Don Juan Triumphant's scores to the manager, it was not caught and it went smacking hard on the stage.

Sofia remained silent throughout most of her line when she said "Am I now to be ........silent............lust for flesh." No idea what happened there. She forgot her lines? Oh well.

I noticed there was no vibrato when Layla (Meg) sang. It was even more obvious during Meg and Christine's duet.

During PONR, I was rather disappointed with ML just sitting on the bench doing nothing, when Christine was singing. If you watch how some actors play it, eg the hand movements, the clasping of the fists, hands on thighs, and so on. One would expect the Phantom to 'feel it' when Christine sings about their bodies entwining da da da da. But no, he just froze. "hmm maybe I'll take a nap'.

There was a clip of Rachell Bareell /Mat Camelle on PONR. When C first found out that it was Phantom under the hood, Rachell acted it out very well, followed by Matt touching his face as if to say 'oops, my mask gave me away'. You could really tell that C felt the mask, that was why she started acting frightened. With Sofia and ML on the other hand, it was simply 'when will the flames at last consume us.....' - moves away swiftly from the phantom.

And Raoul just stands there like a plank of wood (not literally, but you get the idea..) during Final Lair.

That's all I could think of right now. Having said all that, I remain, it's biggest fan! :)

Saw Phantom a few days ago with the new cast:

Phantom: Marcus Lovett

Raoul: Simon Thomas

Madame Giry: Louisa Lydell

Meg: Layla Harrison

Carlotta: Lara Martins



Oh and during the reprise of AIAOY when the Phantom was on that 'angel sculpture thingy', he was wobbly and you can see him trying to sort of balance himself as he stood up. :D Poor guy!

By the way, any idea why Joback is no longer playing?

Hi Kelly,

Sounds interesting! Would love to get a copy. I'm not into e-books and stuff. Is it available in bookstores already?

I finally saw LND, despite being advised against doing so, and I enjoyed it.

For discussion sake, after all that had happened, who actually won..? Was it Meg because she eliminated her 'competitor'? Or Christine, as she had 2 men who loved her so dearly?

In my opinion, the winner is.............the Phantom! Although they were not able to live happily ever after, he got a son whom finally excepted him. And all this while, he had 2 women who stood by him through thick and thin.

What's your take?

Hi fellow Phans!

I've seen Phantom 3 times at the West End and will be going to New York end of this month to catch Phantom on Broadway.

If there is a phan out there who has been to Majestic Theater, need help/pointers/tips - anything at all - regarding good seats, where not to sit, etc. I've read reviews about orchestra seats (equivalent to stalls in London) being too far back that the mezzanine level blocks the action above from view.

And tickets.. In London, there are discounted booths, besides the TKTS. What about Broadway? Are there such booths as well, or is it only TKTS?

Appreciate all input.

Thanks a million!

I was actually referring to Symphony_of_fire's post about alternates/understudies taking a break or doing something else before coming back.

Back to Joback, I did think that the drowning of his voice by the orchestra could have been because of the mixing or a technical thing, but I don't recall other Phantoms having that issue.

I saw Phantom for the 3rd time. The first was with Simon Shorten playing the lead, second was with Earl Carpenter, and 2 days ago was Peter Joback.

I must say. I was disappointed. I know, I know, he is new to the role etc.. Acting wise, no complaints. I felt that his voice was just so not Phantom. Michael Crawford did well. Just not Joback. There were times where I couldn't hear what he was singing as his voice was drowned by the orchestra. In fact, it happened several times.

And during the Music of the Night, there was a line where he was supposed to hold the note. When he was about 65% through holding the note, he trailed off and came back to end it. The girl beside me was like oh.

And after AIAOU on the rooftop, Joback was on that angel thingy (can't think of a word for it). He was hanging on for dear life! lol. I thought that was funny.

By the way, why do people have to leave or take a break before taking on lead roles?

Quote:

Hi Phans,

Christine sings "God give me courage to show you....you are not alone...."

What's with the courage?

Oh, another one.. on the rooftop scene during AIAOY, it is snowing, and what is Christine wearing? Yes, yes, you're very close to hot stuff Raoul, but come on.... it is snowing out there!

Hip hip hooray! 1000th post.

The part in his lair, on his bed, when Christine wakes up without having stockings on.

The possibility of a ONS (one night stand)
has been ruled out, obviously, and turned it out to be an error during production of the film ie, a continuity error.

What always bugs me during an error like this is that don't the actors realize it? Like 'hey I wore stockings during the last take of this scene, so I should put one on now as well.' Instead of leaving it all to the person in charge, perhaps actors themselves could have more awareness?

Having said that, it doesn't really annoy me, just speaking my mind.

Quote:

operafantomet wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIcRKrVbbJg

"Two monitors, where the conductor... where you can see the conductor. There are many times where you can't see him, either you're situated wrong or someone's in front of you, or... So if you can't see him (points to monitors). I don't ever use them, actually. Either I hear it, or the very few times where I have to watch him I just have him in the peripheral vision of my eye... Oh, there is one, out here in "Managers I"... (sings) "Syng Prima Donna din sang!"... I actually think I use it there. But we know the conductor so well, you can kinda just look out from the peripheral vision of your eye and see his movements, and you know them so well".


Thank you. That explains so much. Like you said, it's easier if the actor and the conductor have worked together for some time. But say for someone who is new etc, can we say that if the actor isn't able to see the monitor for some reason, he basically just 'take a chance'?

The 25th Anniversary at RAH was a grand event, hence countless rehearsals with selected cast would have taken place to ensure perfection in timing. It had to be perfect!

I was referring more to the ones at the west end..

Not going off topic but just to make a point..

When I was at Queen's Theater watching LesMis, I was seated at the far corner end of the dress circle. I was looking around in the direction of the centre of the dress circle (meaning from where I was seating, I had a good view of their faces but not their feet as it was blocked by the thing that prevented ppl from going off the edge) don't know the correct term for it. Balcony? Anyway. I saw a monitor showing the conductor's face, close up. I suppose it would be the same for Her Majesty's Theater.

As the monitor was facing the stage, one wouldn't be wrong to guess that it was to cue the actors, but you don't always see the actors facing the audience/monitor.. there are times when they are almost back-facing the monitor.

This has been on my mind for some time.

How does the actor know when to start singing to be in sync with the music/orchestra? For songs with an instrumental intro, the actors would know when to start. How about for songs without an intro?

For instance, before MOTN, after the Phantom says 'to serve me, to sing, for my music..my music....'. There is an indefinite pause (I noticed the pause varies from actor to actor) before Phantom and the orchestra start their first note at the same time, 'Night time...'

Another example: During PONR, when Christine unmasks Phantom. They do a bit of running here and there and only after quite a while, without any musical intro, Phantom starts his 'Say you'll share with me...' part, coming in at the same time with the orchestra.

Those are only several examples, there are others too.

Is there a cue? My brother suggested that 'it's all about practice'. I am not convinced. The orchestra plays for different Phantoms/Christines, i.e. matinees and evening performances, u/s, emergency covers etc. They couldn't possibly be practicing with every one of them..

I hope I'm making sense here.. :D

Christine and the Phantom caught in the act by someone?

And make that someone...say.... Raoul?

Was in London and managed to catch LesMis, which played on 21st Feb.

I would usually find out who the cast is from the cast board (don't know the correct term for it) but because it was already 7.25pm, I got my ticket and charged in straight away.

I know that many would go online and find out who the principals are and so and so, but I didn't. Plus, I wanted to watch the show with a 'neutral' and unbiased mind.. so to speak.

The show was superb. Simply amazing. I thought the chemistry between the characters of JVJ and Javert was further enhanced by the flawless portrayal of both actors. It was only later that Erik's Rose confirmed that it was in fact Ramin Karimloo and Hadley Fraser.

O M G


To be frank, it didn't sounded at all like RK IMHO. Guess it shows that RK is indeed a versatile actor. Hip Hip Hooray!

I was at the West End LesMis on 21st Feb and it was awesome! Can anyone help me out on who the cast was on that day?

I found out from an unreliable source that it was Ramin Karimloo playing Jean Valjean and Hadley Fraser as Javert (and it was also stated on the website), though it didnt sounded at all like Ramin

Perhaps it was another actor on that day?

Help Help Help!!!

Quote:

I love the way you put it!

Now we all know that after seeing the doll of herself dressed in a wedding dress, she faints.

The Phantom had it going his way, so to speak, as Christine was successfully seduced and he HAD to show her that doll.. IMHO, her fainting is like a sheer anti-climax to the whole splendor the Phantom had built up.

What do you think would most likely happen if she hadn't fainted or if he hadn't shown her the doll.?

Can't wait to hear 'em all!!

Hi everyone! I'm new. And, I LOVE THIS SITE!

Ok, here's my take on her two kisses at the end after Gina's performance with David Shannon as the Phantom.

Her first kiss was sort of like 'ok, I have to kiss him..it's a way of showing him that I'll be with him so that Raoul can go free'. After their first kiss, notice how Christine and the Phantom touched their lips. Never mind the Phantom.. Pay attention to Gina's Christine. It's like 'oh my..I didn't expect to feel this way..so this is how it feels like to finally kiss my angel of music..hmm I LOVE IT!'

So, her second kiss was actually from her heart. After all, she actually almost 'surrendered' to her angel of music during MOTN.

Hope it make sense..

And here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki3UjLEiI9U

Thanks for your reply! I saw that interview too. I must say.. the idea of Christine feeling the Phantom's 'little Phantom' is somewhat disturbing.

The choreographer originated the moves right? So I suppose, if she said so, then it must be so.? But still....!

This might sound silly but I was wondering, during 'turn your thoughts away from cold unfeeling light', why does the phantom NOT want to kiss her?! I mean, he could have had her, so to speak, and she was literally giving in. :D
But he turned away.. why why why

Also, before the start of "let your mind start a journey to a strange new world" when the Phantom has his back against the bars, that awkward scene, what was she supposed to be doing? She went towards him and then ran away. Probably the acting didn't convey it's intended intention or maybe I'm just clueless. Hope someone can help.. thanks lots!