REVIEW: The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre

After 3 and a half decades and a global pandemic, is the Phantom of the Opera still relevant in today’s theatre? The answer I have to confess is an astounding and resonating yes!

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s showstopper returns to the stage just in time to celebrate its 35th birthday, making it the second longest-running musical in the world. From its opening night in 1986 Phantom propelled itself onto the world from the West End to Broadway, UK charts and film and has no means of slowing down.

This mega-musical takes its story from the original 1909 gothic novel Le Fantom de l’opera by Gaston Leroux. Set in 1880 Paris, the plot introduces us to a little known Swedish soprano Christine Daae, who is given the chance of understudying the leading soprano Carlotta at the Opera Populaire after a mysterious event took place enraging the Italian opera diva and causing her dramatic and untimely exit. We soon learn that these mysterious and terribly dark events are a common occurrence engineered by the “Opera Ghost”. As the narrative unfolds we find ourselves drawn into a love triangle between the Phantom, Christine and her childhood sweetheart Raoul.

COMING HOME: Alistair So, just opened in Anything Goes at the Barbican

Pocket Size Theatre and Liza Heinrichs (Captured by Liz) have teamed up again and created our new series 'Coming Home'. In this new piece, we look at the reopening of Theatres in London and around the country and celebrate our industry coming back. We got together some performers who will be some of the first to return to theatres and created this piece to bring some positivity to the theatre industry which has been through one of the toughest years in our lifetime. Whilst it is important to acknowledge the hardships we've all gone through, it's important we pull together as a community and celebrate our beloved industry finally coming back! 

Alistair So has managed to almost bookend the pandemic with two major shows. Before theatres shut back in March 2020, he was appearing in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera, covering the role of Raoul. He is currently appearing in the London revival of Anything Goes at the Barbican. But Alistair is under no illusion of how lucky he has been to have been employed and to be going into employment again, “Some of us are fortunate enough to be going back to a job or starting a new one; many of us will not be. Additionally, no doubt there are performers who may be leaving performing behind entirely for all sorts of reasons related to Covid. To get back on stage while the UK heals and the rest of the world continues to fight off the virus, is a very special blessing.” 

Having only graduated in 2017, he has racked up a very impressive CV. He made his professional debut in the UK touring production of Miss Saigon covering the role of Thuy, made his West End debut in the Broadway revival transfer of The King and I at the London Palladium covering Lun Tha, played Jimmy Winter in Nice Work if You Can Get It at Upstairs at the Gatehouse and also appeared in Amour at the Charing Cross Theatre. 

15 Production Shots that describe the struggles of a Lockdown

With all this spare time we now have we have decided to bring back our most popular article to date but this time, with a twist. So here it is: 15 Production Shots that describe the struggles of being in a Lockdown! (P.S. before you all come for me, I know this isn't an official lockdown. It's just catchier than Quarantine. Ok thanks.) Enjoy! 

View Part 1 and Part 2 of the Production Pictures articles!

When your partner tries to make you go to the supermarket for supplies but you're too scared. 

Alistair Brammer and Laura Pick in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre 

When the supermarket is out of bread. AGAIN. 

Jon Robyns in Les Miserables at the Queens Theatre

INTERVIEW: Luke McCall, about to star in London Musical Theatre Orchestra's A Night At The Musicals

Luke McCall is about to star with the London Musical Theatre Orchestra, in A Night at the Musicals on tour starting with the Royal and Derngate in Northampton on 22nd October. He is the youngest person ever to play the title role in The Phantom of the Opera and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. He made his West End debut in Les Mis before heading over to Phantom and has since appeared in Man of La Mancha at London Coliseum, followed by the UK and International Tour of Titanic – The Musical. 

You’re appearing in A Night at the Musicals with the London Musical Theatre Orchestra on tour very soon, tell us a bit about how this opportunity came about for you. 

I have worked with LMTO a couple of times singing in their SITZ which is a full score sing through of a musical. 

Tell us a bit about this upcoming show, A Night at the Musicals. 

The show is going to be extremely fun and I know the audience are in for a treat with some incredible talent coming along and a brilliant orchestra playing musicals that everyone knows and love, what more could you want!

Hardest Female roles in Musical Theatre

Being a musical theatre performer is not easy in the slightest; from the auditions to getting a job, to the constant rehearsals and finally recreating an incredible performance to a paying audience night after night. This is even before you look at some of the challenges some roles might have within them; either emotionally, physically or vocally. Here at Pocket we have teamed up with our friends at LondonBoxOffice.co.uk and we've put together a list of roles we think are among some of the hardest. And don't just take our word for it, we've had help from some of our performer friends who have played the roles to give you an insight to what it was like from their perspective. 

There are so many more that could be on this list so if we've missed any, tweet us what you think should be on it! @PocketSizeBlog

Best Couples in Musical Theatre!

Elphaba and Fiyero from WICKED

Click here to book tickets and get a FREE upgrade! 

George and Albin from LA CAGE AUX FOLLES 

INTERVIEW: Simon Bailey, currently playing Tommy De Vito in the UK tour of Jersey Boys

Simon is currently reprising the role of Tommy De Vito in the new UK tour of Jersey Boys after having previously played the role in West End Production. His other credits include Whisper House (The Other Palace), Reverend Billy Hightower in Bat Boy (Southwark Playhouse), Man in Marry Me A Little (St. James Theatre), Liam in I Can't Sing! The X-Factor Musical (London Palladium), Raoul in Phantom of the Opera (London & National Tour) and Enjolras in Les Miserables (Queens Theatre). He took the time out of rehearsals before the show kicked off its new tour to speak to us about this upcoming production of Jersey Boys. 

You’re returning to the role of Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys after playing it in the West End, now on tour. What made you want to return to this role and show?

Jersey Boys has been one of, if not my favourite show, since it opened. Tommy is such a great character to play. After the show closed in London, I didn’t feel I was done with him! I’m so grateful to be asked back.

How do you think your interpretation of the role could change this time round? 

Well, we’ve had 8 months off so it feels fresh again – I’m also with different actors this time, so I listen and respond to them differently. That’s the best part of my job.

INTERVIEW: Georgia Ware, currently playing Meg Giry in the London production of The Phantom of the Opera

Georgia is current playing Meg Giry in the London Production of The Phantom of The Opera, a role she previously understudied whilst appearing in the ensemble. She made her West End debut at the age of six in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London Palladium, 2001-02), she also played Little Cosette in Les Misérables (Palace and Queen’s) and  appeared in The Nutcracker (Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House). She took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions from us at Pocket Size Theatre about her time in The Phantom of the Opera. 

Having performed as a child in the West End, what made you want to continue in the profession as an adult? 

Performing on a West End stage is the most amazing feeling and I knew from the first time that it it was what I wanted to do. I am so grateful to be able to call it my job! 

The Phantom of the Opera is ridiculously successful around the world, how is it performing in the original production?

Its incredible and so humbling to think of all of the people who have performed on this stage for the last 31 years. It is the brilliant original and I feel so lucky to be a part of it. 

What do you think makes this show so special? 

It's impossible to chose one thing. Of course the music but also the costume, the set and the music!

Before being cast in the show, what was your exposure to the musical? Had you ever seen it?

I watched the 25th anniversary on TV and I instantly fell in love with everything about it. The first time I watched the show was after I had found out I was going to be joining and that was the most amazing feeling. I couldn't quite believe I was going to be a part of it.

New video of released of Norm Lewis singing 'The Music of the Night with Sierra Boggess

The Really Useful Group has just released a new video of "The Music of the Night," featuring Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess on stage in Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera.

Lewis and Boggess took over the roles of The Phantom and Christine Daaé, respectively, in the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-running hit May 12 at the Majestic Theatre.

Lewis is the first African-American actor to star as the Phantom in the New York production. (Tony Award nominee Robert Guillaume succeeded original starMichael Crawford in the Los Angeles production.)

The engagement marks Boggess' return to the musical, following her appearance in the 25th Anniversary Broadway cast of Phantom in 2013, as well as the 25th Anniversary production at London's Royal Albert Hall.

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA announces new cast from September 1st

There will be a number of key cast changes in the smash hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” at Her Majesty’s Theatre in the West End.

From Monday 1 September 2014, Liam Tamne will star as ‘Raoul’, and making their West End debuts: John Ellis as ‘Piangi’ and Alicia Beck as ‘Meg. “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” will continue to star Gerónimo Rauch as ‘The Phantom’ and Harriet Jones as ‘Christine’. Also from Monday 1 September, Emmi Christensson, will alternate the role of ‘Christine’.

Continuing their roles are: Andy Hockley as ‘Monsieur Firmin’; Martin Ball as ‘Monsieur Andre’; Lara Martins as ‘Carlotta’ and Jacinta Mulcahy as ‘Madame Giry’.