![]() ![]() The scenes are densely populated adding a rich character that fills the State theatre, ensuring you can’t mistake it for a concert. The well-known bridge to the Phantom’s lair is replaced with the most magnificent spiral staircase. Paul Brown’s set design is the boldest I’ve seen and is as jaw dropping as the performances themselves. The ensemble is tight, and well utilised throughout for scene changes adding impressive colour and movement. Credit must go to the sound design team at the State Theatre as every note is clearly audible. His tone is silky throughout All I Ask of You and the trio of Bowden, Piterman and Manford soar in Wondering Child. ![]() Nonetheless, Piterman’s performance is worth the top billing.īlake Bowden’s performance as Raoul is also outstanding. For me, this reduced his stature and consequently less likely to be feared. The staging of this production at times also humanised the Phantom, placing him amongst the cast for the Act Two opener Masquerade/ Why so Silent? as opposed to above the cast, on a staircase, as per previous productions. I must say I missed at times the cruelty and anger of previous Phantoms which tie the inward ugliness of the character to his physical ugliness. While vocally exquisite and smooth and his renditions of Music of the Night, All I Ask of You (reprise) and The Point of No Return are pitch perfect, he plays the role more gently, more humanly than other portrayals. Josh Piterman’s Phantom is full of interesting choices. Manford draws the audience to a standing ovation – and deservedly so. However, it’s her performance of Notes/Twisted Every Way that grounds the character as a frightened child, being used by the men in her life. Think of Me, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, and The Phantom of the Opera are chillingly breathtaking. Amy Manford’s performance as Christine is the best I have ever seen. Christine must then choose between her love of performing and the love of her life.Īs one expects from Opera Australia, the vocal performances of the 37 strong cast are flawless. Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny (Blake Bowden) falls in love with Christine, promising to protect her from the Phantom. Ballet dancer Christine Daaé (Amy Manford) takes over the role to great acclaim, but her unseen angel of music teacher the Phantom (Josh Piterman) is enraged when his physical deformity is revealed. The cast of the Paris Opera House are rehearsing a new production of Hannibal when resident soprano prima donna Carlotta Giunicelli’s (Giuseppina Grech) aria is interrupted by a stage accident. Director Laurence Connor has breathed fresh life into arguably one of the most successful and recognisable musicals in history.įor those unaware, the story is set In the late 1800’s. Opera Australia’s season of Phantom of the Opera is beautifully re-imagined through an exquisite and lively production. The Phantom of the Opera opened on London’s West End in October 1986 and has been re-staged many times over for the past 36 years. The Phantom will be inside your mind long after the curtain falls. ![]()
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