... The ever present prospect of becoming parents has given us far more to look forward too.
Needless to say, however, that with ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘The Producers’ on the way to the West End, my obsession with theatre will rear it’s head in the not too distant future.
***THE THEATRE*** ... Read review
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: Great story, music and effects Disadvantages: Prices!
...mind you, but quite possibly the last visit to the theatre for quite some time.
Actually I have no evidence to back that up and that’s probably the most ridiculous claim I’ve ever heard since Comfort launched their ‘fast-dry’ liquid, claiming it to be a revolution for the washing machine. Personally, I find clothes dry quicker either on an outside line, a radiator or even a tumble drier, and therefore I fail to accept the premise of ... ...more theatre trips planned for the foreseeable future. The ever present prospect of becoming parents has given us far more to look forward too.
Needless to say, however, that with ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘The Producers’ on the way to the West End, my obsession with theatre will rear it’s head in the not too distant future.
***THE THEATRE***
The first theatre to be built on the site of ‘Her Majesty’s’ ... more
This is it.
This is most probably, but not definitely, just an incredibly slightly small, teensie-weensie chance, not a great huge chance mind you, but quite possibly the last visit to the theatre for quite some time.
Actually I have no evidence to back that up and that’s probably the most ridiculous claim I’ve ever heard since Comfort launched their ‘fast-dry’ liquid, claiming it to be a revolution for the washing machine. Personally, I find clothes dry quicker either on an outside line, a radiator or even a tumble drier, and therefore I fail to accept the premise of a fast dry laundry softener…
Anyhow I digress… Perhaps a better way of describing this is to say that there are no more theatre trips planned for the foreseeable future. The ever present prospect of becoming parents has given us far more to look forward too.
Needless to say, however, that with ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘The Producers’ on the way to the West End, my obsession with theatre will rear it’s head in the not too distant future.
***THE THEATRE***
The first theatre to be built on the site of ‘Her Majesty’s’ opened in 1705 and was named ‘The Queen’s’ with permission from Queen Anne. In 1711 Handel was employed as the resident composer and conducted his first opera ‘Rinaldo’ for the first time in this country.
The theatre was renamed ‘The King’s Theatre’ in 1714 following the accession of King George I before it was destroyed by fire in 1789.
Three years later a new ‘King’s Theatre’ had been built and played host to the first of a string of Mozart’s operas to be heard in the capital. A swift name change to ‘Her Majesty’s Theatre, Italian Opera House’ in 1837 celebrating the accession of Queen Victoria the theatre was again destroyed by fire in 1867.
A new building was erected in 1869 and stood empty for six years before playing host to Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ and the first ever complete performance of Wagner’s ‘Ring Cycle’ in 1882. However, the theatre was demolished in 1892.
The present theatre was built in 1897 and has played host to people such as Ivor Novello, Vivien Leigh and Judi Dench and John Mills.
For the past 18 years it has been the permanent London home of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s gothic musical ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ based on the novel of the same name by French author Gaston Leroux.
***THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA***
-THE STORY-
The story begins with an auction of opera memorabilia on the stage of the Paris Opera House and a strange lot – that of a barrel organ decorated with a papier-mâché monkey – receives the attention of an old man called Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagny.
The auction moves on to a strange piece – a shattered chandelier that once hung from the dome of the opera house. It has been partially restored and fitted with electric cable for lighting. The auctioneer reminds those gathered of the strange story of the phantom of the opera and the part he played in shattered the chandelier. He holds the plug and socket above his head and at the moment he connects them an explosion occurs and the chandelier magically fixes itself and sweeps back to the top of the theatre as we are taken back in time to relive the story the auctioneer had hinted at…
A new opera – Hannibal – is being rehearsed on the stage of the Opera House and is not going well. The current manager is giving up his position and introduces the new managers Andre and Firmin. Andre asks the resident Prima Donna, Carlotta, to sing for him when a backdrop falls from the flies narrowly missing her. The company panic and begin whispered conversations about the ghost as Carlotta storms out leaving the new managers without a star for their production.
Meg Giry, the ballet mistress’ daughter, suggests that one of the dancers could take Carlotta’s place. Christine Daae has been taking lessons but is unwilling to say who from.
After a tentative start, Christine performs the lead role in the show and is a great success, drawing the attention of the Opera House patron and former childhood friend Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny. They meet backstage in her dressing room, but as soon as Christine is alone, a mysterious figure appears behind the mirror – it is the Phantom, the teacher she has never seen – the Angel of Music.
The Phantom takes Christine through the subterranean levels of the Opera House finally crossing a lake 5 levels down – the only entrance to his lair. There, he explains that he is a composer and she is his only inspiration, he’s been teaching her so that she can sing his music.
The next morning he returns her to the Opera House and demands, by letter, that he take the lead role in the performance of ‘Il Muto’. The theatre managers decide to give the lead role to Carlotta and to take the risk of the Phantom following through with his threats.
After hearing Christine and Raoul declare their love for each other, The Phantom lives up to his promise and creates an accident that nearly ends in disaster as the cast step forward to take a bow after the ending of ‘Il Muto’.
Following the incident at ‘Il Muto’, The Phantom has not been seen for a while and the managers, cast and employees enjoy a masked New Year’s Ball to celebrate his disappearance. However, the Phantom turns up at the ball and presents them with an opera he has written and strict instructions for them all to follow, most notably giving Christine the leading role…
Raoul takes the precaution of making sure that every door in and out of the Opera House is locked so that should the Phantom appear, there is no way he can leave.
And so the performance of the Phantom’s opera begins and the stage is set for a final showdown.
***THE CHARACTERS***
THE PHANTOM – The anti-hero of the story. A horrifically disfigured composer who is desperate to find acceptance in his lonely life under the opera house.
CHRISTINE DAAE – The young chorus girl who has been taking singing lessons from The Phantom believing him to be her Angel of Music, promised to her by her father before he died.
RAOUL VICOMTE DE CHAGNY – The new patron of the Opera House and childhood sweetheart to Christine.
***THE PICK OF THE CAST***
JOHN OWEN-JONES - The Phantom. Performed as Jean Valjean in ‘Les Miserables’ – the youngest ever actor to do so, and has also appeared in ‘The Pirates of Penzance’. He has an incredibly strong voice and belts out the tunes incredibly well. Sits in make-up for two hours before every performance in order to be transformed into The Phantom.
KATIE KNIGHT-ADAMS – Christine Daae. Performed as Eliza Doolittle in ‘My Fair Lady’ and has played in ‘West Side Story’, ‘Cats’ and ‘Sunset Boulevard’. Great singing voice and gets just about the right level of melodrama within her performance.
RAMIN MARIMLOO – Raoul. This is his West End debut. Lucky blighter!
***THE SONGS***
Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Charles Hart, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ contains some of Lloyd Webber’s most recognised works.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA – The title song, sung by The Phantom and Christine on their journey to his underground lair (insert suitable Dr Evil quote here!).
THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT – Sung by The Phantom as he seduces Christine and explains why he wants her to sing his music.
ALL I ASK OF YOU – Sung by Christine and Raoul as they declare their love for each other, overheard by The Phantom from his hiding place.
MAQUERADE – Sung by the entire company. The New Years Ball is going so well until The Phantom turns up.
WISHING YOU WERE SOMEHOW HERE AGAIN – Sung by Christine at her father’s graveside.
***THE SET***
I’ve complaints about the set, in fact about the show overall, on some of the theatre message boards on the internet complaining that Phantom looks its age and is not wearing well – moan, moan, moan, gripe and snipe etc. What a load of rubbish!
The set is amazing – at the beginning of the show the front of the stage is covered in old drapes, but as the overture begins, the drapes are whisked away to reveal the façade of the ‘opera house’ the story is set in.
The journey down to the Phantom’s Lair takes place down a walkway at the back of the stage that lifts up and down at one end to give the feeling of a never ending staircase going further and further underground. Candles and large candelabras rise up from the floor of the stage as we reach the place where the Phantom lives.
And of course there’s the chandelier, but I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise…
***THE CONCLUSION***
OK then. Did I actually like it?
Yes indeedy! ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ is a wonderful, stunning visual feast, combining instantly hummable tunes with grand spectacle on stage and therefore in the live arena.
It has a plot, that on one hand may seem totally and utterly preposterous but on the other holds a message that is so important to us all as human beings: the need for love and acceptance.
Whilst The Phantom goes to extreme lengths to try and win the affections of the one he loves, he comes across as being quite a tragic character and one with whom – particularly in the final few scenes – you can particularly empathise with.
The opening of the show takes a while to get going as it introduces us to so many characters within a short space of time – you really have to make sure that you are alert and listening to every single word that is being said!
Some of the songs are more difficult than others to follow as, at times, there are up to 6 characters singing about the plans, with only key information coming through the general hubbub! They are very cleverly written, but take quite some getting used too!
Overall though, Phantom has it all: Murder. Mystery. Suspense. Love. And a cracking score..!
NB: Legroom is quite poor in all areas of this theatre. I was sat on the front row of the stalls – great view and would sit there again, but found it quite difficult to get comfortable!
BEWARE: Ticket Touts buy the Balcony seats and sell them to unsuspecting tourists as Dress Circle or Upper Circle seats and put more on the price. NEVER EVER BUY FROM A TOUT!
Don’t forget to add the booking fee onto those prices as most agents will add anywhere between £2.50 and £2.00 per ticket onto the total cost.
I have rarely seen tickets available at the TKTS half-price ticket booth and it books up months in advance. If you really want to see it, my advice would be too book as far ahead in advance as you could to get the best seats and avoid disappointment.
***ACCESS ISSUES***
Wheelchair access is to spaces in Row S or alternatively transfer to any aisle seat in the Stalls – there is access at street level for disabled patrons. A member of the front of house staff will be assigned to look after wheelchair users, but they must bring a non disabled companion with them also.
Guide dogs are not permitted in the auditorium, but can be dog-sat in the Managers Office.
An Infra-red system is fitted with 6 headsets available for use. Book in advance and collect from the box office.
Check out www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/access for more information about access issues.
Souvenir Brochuer costs £5.00 and is full of photos, a story synopsis and interviews with the creative team.
The smaller programme costs £3.00.
***GETTING THERE***
Nearest Underground station is Piccadilly Circus served by the Bakerloo (Brown) and Piccadilly (Dark Blue) lines.
I hope you have found this review helpful and entertaining.
Critchyboy 23.02.2004 (23.02.2004)
Ciao members have rated this review on average:
very helpful
Review of The Phantom of the Opera / Her Majesty´s Theatre (London)
Advantages: A brilliant show, The music Disadvantages: Leg Room
...front row tickets to see The Phantom Of The Opera. So we all jumped into the car, laughing and mock-singing the shows most famous songs and waving at unexpecting lorry drivers on the M1. Even the fact that it was the hottest day since 1911 could'nt stop our squeals of excitment. When we arrived at our Kings Cross hotel, we all quickly got into our glad-rags and once again gave the hotel a tune-less rendition of 'The music of the night' - I don't ... ...Getting to the Hotel was easy, we flagged down a taxi and it cost little over six pounds, although if you are not put off by the smelly underground, then I am sure that would be an even cheaper option. The nearest stops are Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square. I would avoid driving to the Theatre as parking is expensive. Her Majesty's Theatre is in the busy Haymarket area of London, and if you arrive early like we did, there are a few nice bars ...
spoilt_little_br 01.08.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Phantom of the Opera / Her Majesty´s Theatre (London)
Advantages: One of Andrew Lloyd-Webber's best Disadvantages: Not cheap
'The Phantom Of The Opera’ is a musical which everyone should find time to see. With a compelling plot, phenomenal musical score and powerful, engaging setting the whole performance is extremely enjoyable and entertaining from start to finish. The story is told in flashback style, opening on the sale of various pieces of a Parisian Opera House in 1911. The scene culminates in a dramatic moment, which turns the clock back to 1881 and tells the ... ...He holds the owners to ransom and exerts a mysterious influence over Christine Daae, their junior soprano. The opera company first try to defy then capture the phantom as he murders cast members and interferes with productions. It is an eerie and occasionally frightening story, but not without it’s lighter moments of entertainment. The banter between the two opera managers and the established cast members Carlotta and Ubaldo is usually laced ...
SkyscraperFanClub 23.03.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Phantom of the Opera / Her Majesty´s Theatre (London)
Advantages: Its an amazing show Disadvantages: Seats are expensive
After the awful meal on New Years Eve, we tried to get some theatre tickets, most of the booths in Leicester Square were sold out, with the exception of some less well known performances.
We made our way to Her Majestys Theatre in Haymarket. Being New Years eve, and the Phantom of the Opera being a popular show, we were not surprised to find that the tickets were sold out.
*** Returns ***
Some people may not be aware, but you can actually queue ... ...exchangeable. When the deadline is reached, for us it was 7pm, those tickets left are sold to people in the returns queue. This is not a method for getting cheap tickets, the tickets are actually sold at full price. You must also pay cash, but its usually a sure way of getting great seats to the show of your choice at last minute. There were 5 of us in total, and we managed to get excellent seats, and still all sitting together. As only the most ...
englishminx 04.01.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Phantom of the Opera / Her Majesty´s Theatre (London)
Advantages: A night of theatrical magic - immerse yourself. Disadvantages: None I can think of - the experience is worth the face value of the top priced seats.
The review is based on a performance in August, although the cast is still the same.
As a surprise, I treated Best Friend to an evening performance. He had never seen the show, although we have both caterwauled and massacred Think of Me countless times whilst inebriated. Phantom is of course an old warhorse that keeps going and going...a permanent fixture in the West End. But for sheer scale, overblown melodrama, soaring aria-lites, volume of fabric, ... ...been said about Ramin Karimloo, the current disfigured resident of the Opera House. And you can see why. Said to only be on stage for less than 30 minutes, the Phantom's presence needs to be all meanacing and all pervading. The show stands or falls with the man. And WOW, he was absolutely blooming phantastic (*groan*). Best Friend was sobbing throughout Music of the Night. And when he (Phantom, not Best Friend) made that last plaintive cry of "Chriiiiistiiine...", ...
dazzlair 29.09.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Phantom of the Opera / Her Majesty´s Theatre (London)
Advantages: Seeing a piece of Musical Theatre History Disadvantages: The show seems a little tired.
...Papier Mache music box in the shape of a monkey in persian robes playing the organ..."
Phantom of the Opera is one of the 3 remainig megalith musicals. The dinosaur shows that have been running and running and running. Most have died out since the asteroid of pop musical hit the town, but Phantom, Blood Brothers and Les Miserable rumble inexorably onwards.
This gothic extravangaza still has the power to captivate an audience, and whether or not ... ...it is still surprisingly good. The staging is still capable of raising gasps and many of the sets are breathtakingly beautiful. However, it is beginning to show its age. A number of the musical sequences are pre-recorded, and they are starting to sound like an old 78. The direction seems tired, and a number of the characters are almost parodies of themselves - a distinct waft of ham came from various parts of the stage.
The Phantom himself was excellent, ...
iainc 03.03.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Phantom of the Opera / Her Majesty´s Theatre (London)
Similar products and search queries by other users »
The Her, The Phantom Her, The of Her, The the Her, The Opera Her, The Phantom of Her, The Phantom the Her, The Phantom Opera Her, The of the Her, The of Opera Her, The the Opera Her, The Phantom of the Her, The Phantom of Opera Her, The Phantom the Opera Her, The of the Opera Her
Are you the manufacturer / provider of The Phantom of the Opera / Her Majesty´s Theatre (London)? Click here
![Magic Night (Live At The Astoria Theatre London 8 Nov 2003) [Hybrid SACD] - Uriah Heep](http://imagesa.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/030/Magic_Night_Live_At_The_Astoria_Theatre_London_8_Nov_2003_Hybrid_SACD_Uriah_Heep__6023030.jpg)
