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Broadway’s longest running musical, The Phantom Of The Opera, is here again in Singapore!
Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s phenomenal hit celebrated its 27th anniversary on the West End stage last year, and continues to play to full houses nightly in London, New York and around the world. The musical has been seen by over 130 million people worldwide; has been performed in more than 27 countries; has won over 50 major theatre awards, and has grossed more than US$5.6 billion.
The Phantom Of The Opera is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s adaptation of the novel Le Fantome De L’Opera by Gaston Leroux. It tells the heart-wrenching story of the mysterious, hideously disfigured Phantom who lives beneath the Paris Opera House, and his obsession with the young singer Christine. Disguised as the ‘Angel of Music’, he devotes himself to creating a new opera star, and winning her love from his rival Raoul, while exercising a reign of terror over the Opera House.
With 130 cast, crew and orchestra members, jaw-dropping scenery, breathtaking special effects, and more than 230 stunning costumes, The Phantom Of The Opera contains some of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous and stirring music.
It last arrived on our shores at the Kallang Theatre in 1995 and the Esplanade Theatre in 2007. From 18 July 2013, it will take up residence in the MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands for a limited season.
Although I know of the musical, I am surprise I have not seen it even once, whether in the theatres or the movie adaptation. I missed the musical in 1995 and 2007, I have to see it this time.
And I did…
on the opening night!
I watched the musical without any prior knowledge of the plot and I enjoyed it all the more. The staging was lavish, with some clever play of lighting and props for dramatic effects.
The cast sang well. When I heard familiar songs like Phantom of the Opera and Music of the Night being sung in the context of the musical, the songs became even more endearing and emotional to me:
“Softly, deftly music shall caress you
Hear it, feel it secretly poseess you
Open up your mind let your fantasies unwind
In this darkness which you know you cannot fight
The darkness of the music of the night”
In this season run in Singapore, American actor Brad Little, 49, plays the lead role of the tortured, lovelorn Phantom. Little has performed the role more than 2,200 times across the globe and is one of the only four men who have played the role of The Phantom over 2000 performances. He still shines in the role and put on a moving performance on the opening night.
Whether you are a regular theatre/musical goer or a newbie, The Phantom Of The Opera is a must-see experience. Do not wait another five years or more for it to return to our shores again!
Tickets are now on sale and cost from S$55 to S$230, excluding the booking fee of S$3 per ticket. You can book online at http://www.baseentertainmentasia.com or http://www.marinabaysands.com/Ticketing, by phone at +65 6688 8826 or head down to get in person at the Marina Bay Sands Box Offices.
