Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Its an amazing show |
| Disadvantages: |
Seats are expensive |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
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 for returns. The most expensive tickets are returnable / 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 expensive seats are available, you will pay the top price for these seats. They cost us £43 each.
*** Her Majestys Theatre ***
The theatre itself is one of the oldest theatres in London, and still carrys a lot of its original features, even back stage. The theatre is part of the Really Useful Theatres group who own 13 theatres.
The seating is seperated into balcony, upper circle, dress circle and stalls.
The theatre offers excellent disable facilities, with level access to the stalls from King Charles II street, this level is also where the disabled toilet is located.
During the interval, you have enough time to freshen up and have a drink (although I had to have mine put into a plastic cup to take back into the performance). The drinks are expensive, 3 glasses of wine, and a bottle of bear cost £18.
The toilets are a bit strange, to get into the ladies cubicles, you virtually have to climb onto the toilet, as the door opens against the toilet roll dispenser! Once your in, you then panic, that you won't be able to get out.
Seats are fairly comfortable, but like any theatre/ cinema, you still end up with a numb bum by the end of the performance.
*** The Musical***
Most people have heard some of the music from this popular show. The music is by Andrew Lloyd Webber and the lyrics by Charles Hart, with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe.
The musical is based on the novel "Le Fantome de l'Opera by Gaston Leroux.
The main roles are currently being played by the following people;
---John Owen-Jones - The Phantom---
John has an amaziing voice which is both strong and mind blowing and keeps you mezmorized by the whole performance. His ability to win the audience is incredible.
--- Katie Knight-Adams - Christine Daae ---
Katie is not only beautful, she has a great voice and incredible acting talent.
--- Ramin Karimloo - Raoul ---
Ramin plays Raoul, his west end leading leading debut. Again, he has a great voice, which is strong.
*** The story line ***
Although I knew of this musical, and had the music, I had never taken the time to understand what the musical was about. The Phantom of the Opera is based around a parisian opera, which is believed to be haunted by a phantom. When the leading lady of the opera - Carlotta refuses to perform, Christine is pushed to take her place.
Christine has been taking singing lessons from an unknown teacher, who happens to be the phantom.
The story unfolds into an enchanting love story, between the phantom, Christine, and Raoul.
The Phantom demands that the theatre owners allow Christine to play the leading female, and also pay him his salary. When they rebel against this, the phantom takes things into his own hands.
Through out the whole performance, you are taken through scenes of laughter, happiness, sadness, anger and every other emotion in you!
The props, cast, and scenery, are absolutley amazing through out, and I am still confused at how the phantom manages to dissapear from the stage on a couple of occasions!
***Conclusion ***
If you like the theatre and haven't been to see the Phantom yet, then you must go, its a great story line, performed by a superb cast!
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