The Phantom of the Opera is currently showing at Her Majesty’s Theatre. HM Theatre is a Victorian era theatre, complete with lavishly sculptured architecture surrounding the stage, orchestra pit and audience stalls; a setting perfectly suited for the 19th century setting of The Phantom.
Throughout the show, The Phantom makes brilliant use of the stage props and platforms. From the very start we see a bleak and drab setting as The Phantom begins with the auctioning of old stage props from the once famous Paris Opéra. Then the Paris Opéra is brought to sudden life as the famous chandelier swings into place and illuminates the concert hall, whisking us back in time to the Paris Opéra’s prime when it was the most successful opera house in Paris. From here on out we are drawn in by illusions of the Phantom disappearing and reappearing throughout the Opera, wreaking havoc. We see the Phantom running along the ramparts and catwalks and rowing though the sewers as he disappears into the shadows following his treachery.
While all this is going on we are serenaded with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical and vocal genius. The Phantom of the Opera is Webber’s masterpiece and it really shows in this performance. The audience is drawn in by fantastic music and wonderful displays of stagecraft. It’s no wonder this show has been running for 24 years!
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