Sun Aug 04, 2013 8:18 am by PhantomoftheOperafan80
I posted a version of this somewhere else too, I've edited this one a bit though.
Tuesday 7th August 2.30pm- Earl Carpenter, Robyn North, Michael Xavier
I was sat in row E seat 11 for this show which is the closest I’ve ever been, and being in seat 11, I was right in the middle. The chandelier is just spectacular from here. It goes right over your head and seems to miss you by inches!
I saw so much more being at the front too, especially during the Hannibal rehearsal when nearly all of the company seem to be on stage. I enjoyed watching a nice little interaction between Carl P Adams (the man who dances with the ballet girls)and one of the ballet girls (not sure which one I’m afraid!) where he brought her a chair to sit on, and there was a mild flirtation going on. I’d never noticed the rest of the cast laughing at Christine at the beginning of Think of Me either.
I love the current supporting cast so much. Lindsey Wise is a joy to watch. I wasn’t sure about her at first but she is so cheeky and funny. She sticks her tongue out at Mme Giry at the end of Angel of Music! I loved how she was sneakily reading the notes on the managers desk during Notes, stopped and looked innocent as Raoul walked past the desk, and then carried on! Her reaction was nice when Christine takes her into her dressing room in Angel of Music…she had obviously never been in there before and it was huge treat for her.
Wendy Ferguson has grown on me as Carlotta. I always thought she was good, but I prefer angry Carlottas, and Wendy is more of a teary Carlotta. However she is still very funny and I’m starting to like her interpretation of the character more and more.
Rohan Tickell is a hilarious Piangi. I love his squeaky “amateurs!” Heather Jackson is a perfect Mme Giry, strict but kind.
Earl
I’m going to miss him in the role so much. His Music of the Night is always beautiful, he is so shy and nervous. He does the most wonderful jerky movements, especially in MOTN, and he seemed to panic when Christine fainted and stood there for a few moments as if he was wondering what he should do.
Final Lair was, as always, amazing. Earl’s spoken bits and the sarcastic clapping were brilliant. On ‘Wait, I think my dear we have a guest’ he leaned in close to Christine and said it in a stage whisper which I found a bit creepy for some reason. His reaction to the kiss was so sweet, hard to explain really. In STYDI when he took his hand away and Robyn sort of screamed a bit, he said ‘No no no’ quickly to stop her before singing his next line which I thought was a nice touch.
Robyn
I thought she was great. She looks beautiful, has a great voice and acted well. The woman sat next to me had been a music teacher and said she has a ‘phenomenal range’. She was so nervous at the beginning of TOM, more than any other Christine I’ve seen. I noticed the veil fall off during Final Lair so instead of ripping it off her head she had to pick it up instead before throwing it down (I think it fell off and landed on the monkey’s head?).
Michael
Michael is perfect. I must say, I found his hair quite distracting!
He is forceful but not too forceful and doesn’t get on my nerves at all which is rare for me and Raouls! The kiss in AIAOY was great…the first one was an embarrassed, uncomfortable one but the second was so passionate! I love his hesitation before going into Christine’s dressing room too.
Stage Door
There were a lot of people there which made things a bit difficult. I got Earl’s autograph again (after barging straight into him…. ) and felt guilty for drawing lots of other peoples attention to him by doing that! Michael got totally mobbed as he seems to do after every show now, but he was very patient and friendly and was there a while posing for photos. I didn’t see anybody else come out which was strange. Either a lot of people were staying inside or I wasn’t recognising people.
Nobody stood up at the end and I was too shy to start a standing ovation! Somebody shouted something at Michael but I couldn’t tell what it was. He nodded at them though.
Wednesday 08/08/07 7.30pm- Earl Carpenter, Leila Benn Harris, Michael Xavier
I was sat in B7 (the front row of the stalls) which was a nice seat but the conductor was in my way now and again (even though those seats aren’t reduced in price), and the chandelier isn’t quite as spectacular this close and I couldn’t really see Earl at all for AIAOY Reprise.
It was the best performance of Phantom I’ve seen yet though.
Earl, Michael and the rest of the cast were brilliant for this show as usual so I don’t need to say much about them!
Leila was fantastic and now my favourite Christine (with Celia Graham a close second!). She looked so young which fits the story perfectly. Her voice is beautiful and perfect for Christine. It was very girly (I can’t think of a better word to describe it!) at first but it matured as the show went on, and, interestingly, went girly again after Wishing, when Earl appeared. During STYDI she was peeking through her hair at Earl when she was on the floor which was adorable. Being on the front row, I could see real tears on her face during a couple of parts, such as WYWSHA which certainly added something. She is a very cute Christine but when she gets angry, she really gets angry! She is perfect.
The Phantom didn't pop up in Box 5 just before Don Juan when they’re securing the doors like he usually does but I don't know why.The policeman in the pit shot anyway though.
The Final Lair was particularly excellent. Earl, Leila and Michael work so well together. Just before Earl raised the portcullis, he made a ‘huh’ noise, a bit like a laugh, at Michael’s ‘Let me see her!’ which I loved!
Another interesting bit was when Raoul was let into the lair. After hugging Christine, he was examining the wedding dress with disgust. It even looked like they were arguing, he seemed to be shouting at her as if he was saying ‘Why are you wearing this?’ and Leila looked upset and turned away a little which was when the Phantom put the rope around Raoul’s neck. Usually, Raoul just looks like he is reassuring Christine. Maybe I’m misinterpreting it but I don’t know.
I’m glad to say that there was a standing ovation after this show!
Stage Door
Once again, there were too many people there. I let Earl run away this time because I still felt guilty about the day before!
Michael got mobbed again and I got a second photo with him.
Leila got mobbed a bit as well and was very sweet. I told her she was the best Christine I’ve ever seen which she seemed quite pleased about! I got a photo with her too.
The only other person I managed to catch and get a photo with was Rohan Tickell who is lovely and chatted for a bit.
And here are my photos
Michael Xavier 1
Michael Xavier 2
Leila Benn Harris
Rohan Tickell (Piangi)
Sorry its long, and I'm don't know why there are weird gaps in it
Tuesday 7th August 2.30pm- Earl Carpenter, Robyn North, Michael Xavier
I was sat in row E seat 11 for this show which is the closest I’ve ever been, and being in seat 11, I was right in the middle. The chandelier is just spectacular from here. It goes right over your head and seems to miss you by inches!
I saw so much more being at the front too, especially during the Hannibal rehearsal when nearly all of the company seem to be on stage. I enjoyed watching a nice little interaction between Carl P Adams (the man who dances with the ballet girls)and one of the ballet girls (not sure which one I’m afraid!) where he brought her a chair to sit on, and there was a mild flirtation going on. I’d never noticed the rest of the cast laughing at Christine at the beginning of Think of Me either.
I love the current supporting cast so much. Lindsey Wise is a joy to watch. I wasn’t sure about her at first but she is so cheeky and funny. She sticks her tongue out at Mme Giry at the end of Angel of Music! I loved how she was sneakily reading the notes on the managers desk during Notes, stopped and looked innocent as Raoul walked past the desk, and then carried on! Her reaction was nice when Christine takes her into her dressing room in Angel of Music…she had obviously never been in there before and it was huge treat for her.
Wendy Ferguson has grown on me as Carlotta. I always thought she was good, but I prefer angry Carlottas, and Wendy is more of a teary Carlotta. However she is still very funny and I’m starting to like her interpretation of the character more and more.
Rohan Tickell is a hilarious Piangi. I love his squeaky “amateurs!” Heather Jackson is a perfect Mme Giry, strict but kind.
Earl
I’m going to miss him in the role so much. His Music of the Night is always beautiful, he is so shy and nervous. He does the most wonderful jerky movements, especially in MOTN, and he seemed to panic when Christine fainted and stood there for a few moments as if he was wondering what he should do.
Final Lair was, as always, amazing. Earl’s spoken bits and the sarcastic clapping were brilliant. On ‘Wait, I think my dear we have a guest’ he leaned in close to Christine and said it in a stage whisper which I found a bit creepy for some reason. His reaction to the kiss was so sweet, hard to explain really. In STYDI when he took his hand away and Robyn sort of screamed a bit, he said ‘No no no’ quickly to stop her before singing his next line which I thought was a nice touch.
Robyn
I thought she was great. She looks beautiful, has a great voice and acted well. The woman sat next to me had been a music teacher and said she has a ‘phenomenal range’. She was so nervous at the beginning of TOM, more than any other Christine I’ve seen. I noticed the veil fall off during Final Lair so instead of ripping it off her head she had to pick it up instead before throwing it down (I think it fell off and landed on the monkey’s head?).
Michael
Michael is perfect. I must say, I found his hair quite distracting!
He is forceful but not too forceful and doesn’t get on my nerves at all which is rare for me and Raouls! The kiss in AIAOY was great…the first one was an embarrassed, uncomfortable one but the second was so passionate! I love his hesitation before going into Christine’s dressing room too.Stage Door
There were a lot of people there which made things a bit difficult. I got Earl’s autograph again (after barging straight into him….
) and felt guilty for drawing lots of other peoples attention to him by doing that! Michael got totally mobbed as he seems to do after every show now, but he was very patient and friendly and was there a while posing for photos. I didn’t see anybody else come out which was strange. Either a lot of people were staying inside or I wasn’t recognising people. Nobody stood up at the end and I was too shy to start a standing ovation! Somebody shouted something at Michael but I couldn’t tell what it was. He nodded at them though.
Wednesday 08/08/07 7.30pm- Earl Carpenter, Leila Benn Harris, Michael Xavier
I was sat in B7 (the front row of the stalls) which was a nice seat but the conductor was in my way now and again (even though those seats aren’t reduced in price), and the chandelier isn’t quite as spectacular this close and I couldn’t really see Earl at all for AIAOY Reprise.
It was the best performance of Phantom I’ve seen yet though.
Earl, Michael and the rest of the cast were brilliant for this show as usual so I don’t need to say much about them!
Leila was fantastic and now my favourite Christine (with Celia Graham a close second!). She looked so young which fits the story perfectly. Her voice is beautiful and perfect for Christine. It was very girly (I can’t think of a better word to describe it!) at first but it matured as the show went on, and, interestingly, went girly again after Wishing, when Earl appeared. During STYDI she was peeking through her hair at Earl when she was on the floor which was adorable. Being on the front row, I could see real tears on her face during a couple of parts, such as WYWSHA which certainly added something. She is a very cute Christine but when she gets angry, she really gets angry! She is perfect.
The Phantom didn't pop up in Box 5 just before Don Juan when they’re securing the doors like he usually does but I don't know why.The policeman in the pit shot anyway though.
The Final Lair was particularly excellent. Earl, Leila and Michael work so well together. Just before Earl raised the portcullis, he made a ‘huh’ noise, a bit like a laugh, at Michael’s ‘Let me see her!’ which I loved!
Another interesting bit was when Raoul was let into the lair. After hugging Christine, he was examining the wedding dress with disgust. It even looked like they were arguing, he seemed to be shouting at her as if he was saying ‘Why are you wearing this?’ and Leila looked upset and turned away a little which was when the Phantom put the rope around Raoul’s neck. Usually, Raoul just looks like he is reassuring Christine. Maybe I’m misinterpreting it but I don’t know.
I’m glad to say that there was a standing ovation after this show!
Stage Door
Once again, there were too many people there. I let Earl run away this time because I still felt guilty about the day before!
Michael got mobbed again and I got a second photo with him.
Leila got mobbed a bit as well and was very sweet. I told her she was the best Christine I’ve ever seen which she seemed quite pleased about! I got a photo with her too.
The only other person I managed to catch and get a photo with was Rohan Tickell who is lovely and chatted for a bit.
And here are my photos
Michael Xavier 1
Michael Xavier 2
Leila Benn Harris
Rohan Tickell (Piangi)
Sorry its long, and I'm don't know why there are weird gaps in it
I've never met him at the stage door 
, I'll have to get back to you about exact measurements of the photo when it turns up again, but the photo was a bit smaller than the envelope and he folded a piece of A4 Phantom of the Opera paper around it.