Review: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Her Majesty’s Theatre (35th Anniversary)
"What a night, what a crowd, makes you glad, makes you proud!" Happy 35th Birthday to The Phantom Of The Opera!
Yes, you read that correctly, Besties; 35 beautiful years of Phantom, and what an astounding production to celebrate this brilliant occasion.
Killian Donnelly continues his tour de force of musical theatre leading roles as the Phantom, managing to both continue a 35-year-old legacy and demonstrate a new, perhaps more vulnerable, side to the titular spirit. In the ten minutes of ‘The Phantom Of The Opera//Music Of The Night’, Donnelly showcases his ability to fill the auditorium with his epically powerful voice, whilst letting Christine and the audience in on his inner feelings as a softer voice also speaks to us.
Another perfectly cast actor is Rhys Whitfield as Raoul. His presence on stage is electric and when sharing the stage with the insane talent of Lucy St. Louis' Christine, a true star within this cast, his performance leaps into the audience. To say the pair have chemistry on stage is an understatement and their voices blend beautifully together, creating a sublime rendition of ‘All I Ask Of You’.
Rounding out the rest of the cast are yet more incredibly talented actors. Matt Harrop and Adam Linstead as Fermin and André respectively provide comic delight whenever they share a scene. The sheer power of the ensemble shines through during ‘Masquerade’, singing the iconic music written by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music), Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe (lyrics). Very few writers have managed to create a production that lives as long as this has and they must be applauded for their achievements.
After much debate over lockdown as to what would remain of the actual production, we can happily say that the bones and structure of the original have been kept very much intact. Whilst you can tell that the orchestra has shrunk and the Phantom now climbs atop a horse statue instead of rising from the proscenium, the show is still Phantom and you are guaranteed to be blown away by a spectacle of dazzling costumes and glorious sets designed by Maria Björnson. The chandelier has even been sped up! (Doing what? If you know, you know!)
It's no surprise that Phantom has reached such a milestone and it wouldn't be a surprise if it lived on, in some form, for another 35! It's a staple of the West End and musical theatre as a whole. The iconic imagery of that half mask, the boat sailing through the candles, the graveyard and the Opera Populaire are something that even many non-musical theatre fans are aware of.
We will surely be seeing you at the next major anniversary, Besties! Until then you can book your tickets now HERE!
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Callum Wallace
