I have developed an unhealthy obsession with hands… some random gifs of various phantom’s hands.
From left to right:
- Top Row: John Cudia, John Owen-Jones,
- Second Row: Jonathan Roxmouth, Hugh Panaro,
- Last Row: Earl Carpenter, Ramin Karimloo
POTO UK Tour Observations
A review made by a Phamily friend of mine.
I certainly have my opinions about this, but read this review & make your own.
Um… very interesting. That’s all I can say.
My reaction while reading this: What?! Ugggh. Uggh, no. What. Wut. Why?!
Seriously, this kind of scares me. It sounds like they are trying to hyper sexualize it like the movie. I like PONR the way it as because it was sexy, yes, but in a more subtle manner. We didn’t need to see Christine’s thigh to know the song is supposed to be sexy.
Why does he blindfold her in MOTN?! Like, a literal blindfold?! That’s so weird and I don’t know…kinky? I can’t see how it could translate well on stage. The Phantom is supposed to be able to entrance her with his voice. Why does he need a blindfold? I wouldn’t mind them taking out the mirror bride, I guess, but keep in the iconic “floating, falling” pose and get Christine off the dumb bed (again, more movie influence?!). MOTN is the most iconic song in the production and they have stripped it of what it once was.
I’m really peeved about the no unmasking scene. Christine taking the mask from him is what changes their relationship. It also lets Erik see Christine’s compassion and pity when she hands him back the mask, despite her fear. Also, why would Erik EVER take off his mask when someone else was there…especially Christine whom he hopes to make love him?
I can’t say how much I hate that Christine contemplates suicide before AIAOY. I mean…there are other ways to show that she is scared and conflicted than having her nearly jump off the opera. Why would she do that with Raoul there anyway? And the reviewer is right; it does change the whole dynamic of AIAOY. Instead of being a love song, it’s a OH GOD CHRISTINE COME AWAY FROM THE EDGE I’LL SAY ANYTHING. The rooftop scene is supposed to be two childhood friends discovering their love for each other. NOT a suicide prevention number.
Raoul shoves the Phantom in the graveyard? Why don’t they just break out the swords like in the movie? Ugh.
Why no second kiss in Final Lair? It’s that second kiss that really shows Christine has grown and changed. I guess the falling to his knees thing is a bit more in keeping with Leroux, though.
I just. I can understand changing a few things to make it fresh. But…this just seems things were changed because they could be, and to make it overtly sexual. We don’t need to be given everything on a platter.
“Of love…daroga…I am dying…of love…That is how it is…. loved her so!…And I love her still…daroga…and I am dying of love for her, I…I tell you!…If you knew how beautiful she was… when she let me kiss her…alive…It was the first…time, daroga, the first…time I ever kissed a woman…. Yes, alive….I kissed her alive …and she looked as beautiful as if she had been dead!”
