#my fave ensemble costume in don juan

[operafantomet]

FROM DESIGN TO COSTUME: Don Juan donna with crossed ribbon

Maria Hanke, Copenhagen

Mia Karlsson, Copenhagen

Eva Maria Bender, Oberhausen

Unidentified, Essen

Maria Bjørnson’s design

Katy Treharne. West End

Eva Maria Bender, Hamburg

Claire Doyle, West End

Lily de-la-Haye, West End revival

[phantomtrader19]

Phantom of the opera 1st and 3rd preview review

PART 2

Masquerade - WOW I don’t know if it’s the brand new costumes and sets or the cast but I something was different. It had such oomph to it! The lightning was changed to a more intense blue/pink-y red tones which looked amazing! Lyrics I believe were the Broadway lyrics didn’t mind it it didn’t make a difference to be honest. Seemed to be a couple tweaks or new costumes I hadn’t noticed before but would need a photo to confirm. Lucy’s star princess...

I don’t understand as she was in an original dress and it was stunning so I don’t understand the change it just lacked altogether, fun thing I noticed is costume supervisor of 25+ years Ceris Donovan was sat behind me in the show with a note pad taking notes. I do hope they change Lucy back to the original dress! Her hair is in a bun with some hair down and her tiara is more of a centre piece on top of her head that lays flat don’t mind it but not my fave,This could change as the show is still in previews. Phantom as the red death still the same! And still disappears through the trap door and the double appears at the top.

Raoul and Mme Giry’s scene was the exact same except I felt it was a bit more intense which I liked! Francesca Ellis is just an absolute joy to watch her acting is top of the game.

Notes II - very much the same nothing more really to add, just like the original Carlotta and Christine’s stand off is always fun to watch! Lucy again just blows it out the water with the acting l.

Twisted every way - Lucy’s Christine you can tell she’s been pushed to her limits and explodes which was amazing to watch, it was sped up rather a lot which I didn’t mind as it sort of reflected how Christine was feeling and as she began to sing “twisted every way...” the tempo slowed again.

Don Juan sitzprobe - lovely to see all the cast in their gorgeous costumes! James Hume’s reyer is so good. I’m not quite sure if it was done before but when the piano begins to play itself and they company seem rather possessed by the phantoms presence some of the ensemble stand round the piano and their faces are illuminated it was rather creepy but definitely added to the feel of the scene.

Journey to the cemetery - the same as the original no changes

Wishing you were somehow here again - the first opening dialogue (little lotte thought of everything and nothing...”) Lucy said quite quickly like she was completely tormented. This song is where you can notice the reduced orchestra it wasn’t horrific but I miss the old orchestra :( Lucy sounded beautiful once again. The stage appeared to be a little brighter than the original.

Wandering child - the trio version was done and killian, Lucy and Rhys’ voice all blended perfectly. Fireballs still shot from the phantoms staff and the fire still burst from the stage.

Before the premier - exactly the same however the 1st preview the gun didn’t go off.

Don Juan - slowed tempo similar to Broadway as previously the west end done it a little faster which I actually prefer but company’s vocals were amazing! I did notice on the 3rd preview a new costume on James Hume nice little addition :) Lucy’s “dreams of looooveee” flawless.

Point of no return - phantoms part stayed the same but Lucy was a lot more feisty and sassy than I’d seen before and I loved her high kick before she put her leg up on the bench! Christine has her hair down and a rose in. Christine actually knows it’s the phantom after the first verse so it was really interesting to watch the difference in how other Christine’s act not knowing the phantom is under the cloak. Just before Christine’s verse begins just after she notices the phantom is on stage she has a moment of panic and looks helplessly into the audience before singing which added a lot more intensity to this scene. Instead of attempting to run off the stage Christine grabs the phantoms hands and puts them round her waist as they sing the last verse which has been significantly I think maybe to build some more tension. Also the managers, Raoul the policeman and Mme Giry come on stage, Raoul and the policeman immediately back off stage Mme Giry and the phantom have a moment as they obviously remember eachother and another change is Christine seems to tell the managers to back off instead of Andre and Firmin trying to get Christine on stage an interesting choice!

Killian still sings the All I ask of you part as usual and still gives Christine the ring.

Down once more - the same as it was before. Rhys does the jump from the bridge which I was really happy about!

Final lair - I loved the blocking choice that presumably came from Broadway of the phantom dragging Christine on stage and throwing her to the ground it really makes you feel as if he’s completely lost it! Lucy’s fiery-ness really comes out in this scene. The mirror bride doll is silver with no wig or facial features for obvious reasons. Killian’s acting is fantastic in this scene he’s so mocking but you can see how destroyed he is. Rhys I think could’ve done a little more acting when he had the Punjab lasso round his neck but again he will settle into things soon enough. Lucy’s “you deceived me!” Was amazing she really seemed angry and devastated. The kiss was perfect. Lucy seems to want to go back to comfort the phantom but Rhys holds her back and they run off. When she returns you can see she is trying to hold back her motions and then hurriedly runs off. Killian’s last note was beautiful! The show still had its iconic Meg moment at the end no changes there!

Overall this cast is absolutely stellar! A must see, the show still has the original elements but definitely refreshed and some revised parts which I didn’t mind I still loved it! I think my favourite out of the trio is Lucy she just embodies everything Christine should be and her acting is some of the best I have ever seen.

Please show the cast and crew as much love as you showed the previous cast and crew none of this is their doing ❤️