Phantom of the Opera
Feb. 1st, 2005 10:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lady_kareliaOn one hand I have no words, on the other I haven't stopped babbling everytime I get a chance. *Laugh*
I try and start from the beginning, then, shall i? I woke up at 6.30, out of sheer excitement. After all, I've been wanting to see Phantom for years and years and years, on and off, and today was the day. By 10.05 I was out of the house, ready to catch the 10.45 coach to London. All went smooth, coach got to Victoria on time and then the bus arrived almost as soon as I got to the bus stop, to take me to Piccadilly Circus. By the time I got there, I was starved, so popped into Sandwich shop to pick up a free-range egg and cress on rye, ate it while slowly walking towards Her Majesty's Theatre. No noticeable stares, by the way. All throughout the journey, I was wondering... Would it be as fascinating as Les Miserables, as intensive as West Side Story, as entertaining as Starlight Express or Cats, as hip as Hair?
Caroline turned up soon after I had chumped the food and we went inside. We sat in row 5 in the Stalls, roughly between the middle and the right side. What a brilliant price for such fantastic seats! We could almost see the lines on the actors'/singers'/dancers' faces, we were that close to the stage!
Now, I've known the story of Phantom, I've known most of the music. Only I never knew in which order they happen on stage. Up until today, my favorite song of this particular music has always been the title song, so maybe I would have felt slightly disconcerted, as it was performed very early on. I've also always preferred Sarah Brightman's and Michael Crawford's version (the original London Cast), eventhough I'm not that keen on Sarah Brightman in general, except maybe her 'time to say good-bye'. But, 10 minutes into the performance I was so totally absorbed, I evidently had entered the Phantom of the Opera Universe, so was not worried about this being my favourite song. And let me tell you, SB's and MC's version of it paled to simple nothingness compared to what we witnessed on stage. Today's Christine made me forget I was sitting in a theatre, as did the Phantom. I was right there, inside of them, feeling each one's emotion. I had completely forgotten this was merely a theatre performance, but then it wasn't, it was so much more.
I think I started leaving this planet at the first scene, the auction. I noticed this austere looking lady, who soon resurfaced as Madame Gigy, the ballet mistress. She had presence. I can't describe it any other way. And right now I'm unimpressed that the website (http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com - click on 'show') doesn't even mention her, or maybe I haven't looked hard enough. But not only did she have presence on stage, her voice. Oh goodness gracious me. Her voice is undescribable. Loud. Yes. Presence. Lots. Power. Plenty. Worth remembering. I hope I never forget her voice. I know I will dream of just that voice. Captive. Far more captive than Sara's old Sensei in AZ and his was seriously captive. He opened his mouth and you couldn't help but fall silent instantly. Hers is a million times more captive. And her dress. Need I mention it was black *snigger*? And long. And right up to the neck. And too many buttons to count at the front. Exactly the dress I've been wanting only I didn't know it existed. It's difficult these days to find dresses that are considerably modest, ya know! I really felt like ripping it off her there and then. But I didn't *smirk*. The dress is what made about half of her performance. Well no, let's say, about a tenth. Voice, acting ability and singing made up the rest of it, but I still want that dress. And I can't find it on the net *pout*. That voice, though. My voice used to have a little bit of presence, when we lived in AZ and were frequently visited by 25+ kids overnight, all of them from dysfunctional backgrounds and entirely unused to any kind or form of the most simplest of disciplines. I needed it then, but have been out of practice since. I need to practice again. I really get a kick out of saying something like 'listen', not even particularly loud, but suddenly, all kids go quiet. Okay, time to scrap the majority of cigarettes and time to practice again.
Back to Phantom. Raoul was very good, but he was definitely the least good one. He'd be utterly brilliant in a 'normal' performance, but having to compete with today's Christine, Phantom, Mme Giry and Carlotta (who was totally brilliant as well! What a bitch, ROFL), he was a bit pale. And I have no doubt it's not because of his abilities or lack thereof. It is more likely that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time today. He was very good, don't get me wrong. Just not as outstandingly brilliant as some others.
So there! That's my immediate account of Phantom of the Opera, but I have no doubt, I'll remember more details in the next few days, so don't be surprised if I ramble some more. I've returned to planet earth now, taken Little One to bed, spoken to hubby 400 miles away and I can't see myself staying up much longer either, seeing as we have another busy day tomorrow. Joy was very kindly offering us a ride to MV and Hatty offered to stop by for the 3rd needed seat as Joy only has two spare seats in the car. So we'll be going to the playground then the playtrail, have lunch inbetween, and I'll get another chance to hold Calixa.
I try and start from the beginning, then, shall i? I woke up at 6.30, out of sheer excitement. After all, I've been wanting to see Phantom for years and years and years, on and off, and today was the day. By 10.05 I was out of the house, ready to catch the 10.45 coach to London. All went smooth, coach got to Victoria on time and then the bus arrived almost as soon as I got to the bus stop, to take me to Piccadilly Circus. By the time I got there, I was starved, so popped into Sandwich shop to pick up a free-range egg and cress on rye, ate it while slowly walking towards Her Majesty's Theatre. No noticeable stares, by the way. All throughout the journey, I was wondering... Would it be as fascinating as Les Miserables, as intensive as West Side Story, as entertaining as Starlight Express or Cats, as hip as Hair?
Caroline turned up soon after I had chumped the food and we went inside. We sat in row 5 in the Stalls, roughly between the middle and the right side. What a brilliant price for such fantastic seats! We could almost see the lines on the actors'/singers'/dancers' faces, we were that close to the stage!
Now, I've known the story of Phantom, I've known most of the music. Only I never knew in which order they happen on stage. Up until today, my favorite song of this particular music has always been the title song, so maybe I would have felt slightly disconcerted, as it was performed very early on. I've also always preferred Sarah Brightman's and Michael Crawford's version (the original London Cast), eventhough I'm not that keen on Sarah Brightman in general, except maybe her 'time to say good-bye'. But, 10 minutes into the performance I was so totally absorbed, I evidently had entered the Phantom of the Opera Universe, so was not worried about this being my favourite song. And let me tell you, SB's and MC's version of it paled to simple nothingness compared to what we witnessed on stage. Today's Christine made me forget I was sitting in a theatre, as did the Phantom. I was right there, inside of them, feeling each one's emotion. I had completely forgotten this was merely a theatre performance, but then it wasn't, it was so much more.
I think I started leaving this planet at the first scene, the auction. I noticed this austere looking lady, who soon resurfaced as Madame Gigy, the ballet mistress. She had presence. I can't describe it any other way. And right now I'm unimpressed that the website (http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com - click on 'show') doesn't even mention her, or maybe I haven't looked hard enough. But not only did she have presence on stage, her voice. Oh goodness gracious me. Her voice is undescribable. Loud. Yes. Presence. Lots. Power. Plenty. Worth remembering. I hope I never forget her voice. I know I will dream of just that voice. Captive. Far more captive than Sara's old Sensei in AZ and his was seriously captive. He opened his mouth and you couldn't help but fall silent instantly. Hers is a million times more captive. And her dress. Need I mention it was black *snigger*? And long. And right up to the neck. And too many buttons to count at the front. Exactly the dress I've been wanting only I didn't know it existed. It's difficult these days to find dresses that are considerably modest, ya know! I really felt like ripping it off her there and then. But I didn't *smirk*. The dress is what made about half of her performance. Well no, let's say, about a tenth. Voice, acting ability and singing made up the rest of it, but I still want that dress. And I can't find it on the net *pout*. That voice, though. My voice used to have a little bit of presence, when we lived in AZ and were frequently visited by 25+ kids overnight, all of them from dysfunctional backgrounds and entirely unused to any kind or form of the most simplest of disciplines. I needed it then, but have been out of practice since. I need to practice again. I really get a kick out of saying something like 'listen', not even particularly loud, but suddenly, all kids go quiet. Okay, time to scrap the majority of cigarettes and time to practice again.
Back to Phantom. Raoul was very good, but he was definitely the least good one. He'd be utterly brilliant in a 'normal' performance, but having to compete with today's Christine, Phantom, Mme Giry and Carlotta (who was totally brilliant as well! What a bitch, ROFL), he was a bit pale. And I have no doubt it's not because of his abilities or lack thereof. It is more likely that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time today. He was very good, don't get me wrong. Just not as outstandingly brilliant as some others.
So there! That's my immediate account of Phantom of the Opera, but I have no doubt, I'll remember more details in the next few days, so don't be surprised if I ramble some more. I've returned to planet earth now, taken Little One to bed, spoken to hubby 400 miles away and I can't see myself staying up much longer either, seeing as we have another busy day tomorrow. Joy was very kindly offering us a ride to MV and Hatty offered to stop by for the 3rd needed seat as Joy only has two spare seats in the car. So we'll be going to the playground then the playtrail, have lunch inbetween, and I'll get another chance to hold Calixa.
