Go on... join the 130 million (and one!) (From Swindon Advertiser)
Get involved! Send photos, video, news & views. Text SWINDON NEWS to 80360 or email us
Go on... join the 130 million (and one!)
11:21am Wednesday 30th May 2012 in Reviews
Go on... join the 130 million (and one!)
The Phantom of the Opera
until June 30
www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk
Go on... join the 130 million (and one!)
IT is estimated that more than 130 million people have seen Phantom of the Opera is its 26-year history, but until this week I was not one of them.
Why on earth did I wait so long?
This mesmerising show had me in its spell from the opening bars and, as I left the theatre with an ache in my heart, I felt like I’d been through an emotional wringer – a good measure of any performance as far as I’m concerned.
The new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s enduring hit arrived in Bristol this week, but save from a vague memory of Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman on Top Of The Pops in the 80s, I had very few expectations.
I’d read that the set was ingenious and indeed it is. I had to remind myself to close my gaping jaw as ‘floating’ steps appeared from nowhere and a massive chandelier swung above our heads.
I guessed, of course, that there was opera involved, and quickly adapted to the singing-not-speaking style.
But what I hadn’t banked on were the tears. Phantom John Owen-Jones is powerful throughout but never more so than in the closing scene when he drops his voice to a whisper: “Christine, I love you...” and we all reached for the tissues.
Christine herself (Katie Hall) is a stunning talent, with vocals that soar above the others. This is particularly important in some of the more complex numbers where the characters sing different lyrics at the same time (the only part of the production I struggled with slightly).
Having spoken to friends and colleagues since, Phantom is something of a Marmite show – most describe it as ‘magical’ and confess to a shedding a tear or two; a couple said cried for it to be over.
Having finally seen it, I fall firmly into the first camp. I’m so glad I can now count myself among the 130,000,001.
– MICHELLE TOMPKINS
