Stream: Phantom of the Opera

Another musical opera from Andrew Lloyd Weber reached our screen as the third offering from Lord Webber’s Lockdown platform on YouTube. Another spectacular treat in this filmed production from the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2011.

Again, as with Jesus Christ Superstar, the production values were outstanding. The chandelier rigged above the audience burst into life with fireworks and the opening theme from the Albert Hall’s famous organ. A movable lighting rig descended and the huge back projections and lowering gantry set the scene above the large live orchestra conducted by Anthony Inglis.

Playing the lead role of the Phantom was the popular musical tenor Ramin Karimloo who brought empathy to the contrast between the controlling character of the Phantom and his tragic fate. Sierra Boggess played Christine. Not only is she stunningly beautiful but her clear soprano can reach the high notes required from this challenging score with ease.

Raoul, who I remember from the original show seemingly a minor part, now played and powerfully sung by Hadley Fraser. He brought sense and passion to the struggle between him and the Phantom.

Performed on the thrust stage of the Albert Hall, the staging by Lawrence Connor managed to create the feeling that you were truly part of a grand Opera House, and the way he managed the large cast in the main sequences was outstanding. The costumes were lavish and beautiful with delightful corps de ballet recreations of the tutus in the paintings of Edgar Degas. I had never previously taken on board the sly take on Mozart and the preposterous demands of the old-fashioned diva’s, but this production proved the humour of the situation enhancing the ongoing drama.

And what a treat to see an early Sergei Polunin dancing his inner Nureyev as the SlaveMaster/ Hannibal in the ballet sequences.

With a cast of over one hundred, the finale featured a tribute to the Lord with members of the original cast joining him on stage, including his muse and former wife Sara Brightman. She was joined in a reprise by four former Phantoms including the first, Michael Crawford and the wonderful Colm Wilkinson, last seen a few days ago singing Jean Valjean on our screens.

Both Superstar and Phantom stand up well in these large-scale versions and dare I say offer a better experience for the audience than in a proscenium arch theatre. Having seen the original at Her Majesties Theatre in 1986 this version was superior in every aspect.

Bravo Lord, I cannot wait for the next offering: Love Never Dies.