The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary

Yes, indeed, Phantom of the Opera is a quarter century old. It’s funny to imagine I’m about the same age (at least with the British version. I think I’m a year older than the Broadway production). But one thing can’t be denied about the British: they celebrate anniversaries in style. I mean, I know about the anniversary celebration “A Chorus Line” had—a special performance featuring original cast members as well as replacements. Where in “Music and the Mirror,” it featured the current Cassie giving way to the original, Donna McKenchie. And then four Cassies doing the “Cassie Dance”! All of this was capped by an amazing rendition of “One” with everyone joining in!

But this still pales when one views the Les Miserable Tenth Anniversary Concert (often called the “Dream Cast”) or its 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2. Or to this, the 25th Anniversary production of Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall.

For those of you who don’t know, here’s the story:


The Opera Populaire in Paris is under siege by an invisible captor referred to as either “The Phantom” or “the Opera Ghost” (Ramin Karimloo). New managers, Andre (Gareth Snook) and Firmin (Barry James), are taking over as the Phantom’s reign of terror drives prima donna Carlotta (Wendy Ferguson) to her breaking point. She storms off, leaving the production of Hannibal in chaos. The ballet mistress, Madame Giry (Liz Robertson), and her daughter Meg (Daisy Maywood) suggest Christine Daae (Sierra Boggess) should take the role. She does and is catapulted into stardom. And back into the orbit of childhood friend, Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny (Hadley Fraser). Their romance blossoms, much to the Phantom’s displeasure. As he wages war on the opera house, Christine’s heart remains in the balance.

It’s a love story for the ages, though some people have forgotten it’s Christine and Raoul’s, not Christine and 
Erik’s. But it’s easy to see why they forget it. The Phantom is an enigma. He is the woobie masquerading as the Draco in Leather Pants. (If you don’t know those terms, I direct you to TV Tropes. Warning: It will suck up your time like a black hole). These are two things women generally can’t resist. He also is a genius. Who composes. And is the best male singer in the cast. Hell, is the best looking actor in the cast under all that makeup. So, yes, women everywhere fell in love with him. Especially when he’s a crying heap at the end. They can fix him!

But here’s the thing one can forget: The Phantom is the bad guy, the antagonist. In the 25th Anniversary, Ramin Karimloo doesn’t seem to have forgotten it. He plays the Phantom as a man to be feared yet pitied. And his voice is gorgeous.

Onto the leading lady…Sierra Boggess plays Christine Daae, the young soprano stalked by the Phantom. Boggess played Ariel in the Broadway production of “The Little Mermaid,” but she has a long history of playing Christine. She played her in the Las Vegas abridged show, personally picked by Webber, I believe. He then invited her to play Christine in the London production of “Love Never Dies.” So it was only natural she’d be the one chosen for this purpose. Boggess plays a Christine who is both fascinated yet terrified by the Phantom. And that’s how Christine should be played. Her voice is also beautiful and she fills the second act song “Wishing You Were Somehow Here” again with such pain.

Hadley Fraser as Raoul is…okay, I’m in love. And I honestly have been since I saw Mr. Fraser as Tiernan in “The Pirate Queen.” I hope the fangirls watching this suddenly stop in their worship of Erik and look at Raoul in a new light. Because Fraser’s Raoul is strong, young man who isn’t going to let himself be pushed around by some guy in a mask. Fraser remembers that Raoul is the true hero of “Phantom of the Opera.” His voice is just as gorgeous as Ramin’s. They are two well matched foes. The only difficulty comes if you know the plot of “Love Never Dies.” Fraser’s Raoul cannot be reconciled with that Raoul.

I could keep singing Mr. Fraser’s praises. But he plays well off Mr. Karimloo and Ms. Boggess as well. It helps that the three are friends in real life. Or at least in my opinion.

But let’s turn our attention to the supporting cast. I was a bit disappointed to see the cast was entirely British, unlike the Les Mis concerts which tended to draw a wider net. This is more in acknowledgment of the two Broadway cast members who have been in the show since it opened (though if I remember correctly, one has now retired). Or maybe I should just say the principle cast was entirely British. There were a lot of actors in the ensemble; one of them may have been American.

I must give credit to Wendy Ferguson. Someone else had been cast as Carlotta but had fallen sick. Ferguson was playing the part on the West End and stepped in at the last minute. And in some places, she steals the show. She has great comedic timing and wonderful facial expressions. The moment in Act 2 when Carlotta criticizes the Phantom’s opera and Mme. Giry asks her if she’s sure the composer isn’t present is brilliant.

After the show, Andrew brings out the creative team—including producer Cameron Macintosh. After remembering the cast members who are no longer with us, the original London cast is brought out. This includes original Phantom, Michael Crawford. He didn’t sing as he still had to do the evening performance of the Wizard of Oz. But Sarah Brightman, the original Christine Daae, did sing. Along with 4 other Phantoms—Colm Wilkinson, Anthony Crivello, John Owen-Jones and Peter Joback—she sings the title song. The four then sing “Music of the Night” with Karimloo. At the end, the entire company joins in and for a brief moment, you can hear Crawford—most likely picked up by Boggess’ microphone.

If you are a Phantom fan, I highly recommend watching this DVD. The production is beautifully staged and dressed. My own qualm with the staging is that an iconic moment of the musical is changed and with it, the true terror of the Phantom.

Otherwise, enjoy the music of the night!