Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic based on a novel by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera, is enthralling the Mumbai audience since last 10 days. The musical which has been running at the West End since 1986 and at the Broadway since 1988, is being staged at the Grand Theater of NMACC.
Based on the gothic horror novel, the play is about obsession — obsession for a person, obsession for music and obsession for love.
The backdrop is of an opera theatre in Paris which is considered to be haunted — haunted by the spirit of a legendary musician, singer and actor of the opera who has seen the glory in his hay days. Unexplained things, anonymous notes add to the fear and mystery.
The spirit/the actor is smitten by a newbie Christine. He gives all his music, his knowledge to Christine and ensures that she becomes the lead of the ongoing opera at his theatre. She calls him her ‘Angel of Music’ but is in love with Raoul, her childhood sweetheart. She realises that her glory is thanks to her angel, but… As the story unfolds and ends, we are left to wonder if it is really the ghost/spirit or is it a disfigured human being who is trying to live his lost glory through Christine while falling for her.
Mystery, romance, thrill, horror and music! The Phantom of the Opera has it all.
Set designs by Maria Bjornsson and its execution takes you back two centuries when opera was considered the entertainment for the elites. Costumes by Gillian Lynne are matchingly grandiose.
Use of technology to enhance the already impressive sets, lights and mystic smoke. The masterstroke is the vanishing of the Phantom at the end of the play when each and every person in the audience gasps.
Associate Director, Rainer Fried, has ensured that the audience is kept engaged every moment and waits for the next twist to the tale. The gripping speed takes you through the two and a hours without any hitch.
It is an opera where music and choreography are the hero first followed by the lead cast and other. Music Supervisor, Kristen Blodgette, was in the orchestra pit guiding the live orchestra throughout the performance. They even did a special three-minute piece after the curtain call and actors had retired to the dressing rooms. Most of the audience stood in their place on their way out till the Blodgette’s team finished and applauded their hard work.
Denny Berry, associate choreographer, too has done a marvellous job. The ballet and the masquerade items are smoothly executed.
Grace Roberts, who plays Christine, has a voice that can actually shatter the glass or create a whirlpool. Her range is outstanding and rendering effortless. Matt Leisy performs well
as Raoul. It is necessary to note here that each and every actor on stage, even who play the minutest part, exude talent — singing, acting, and dancing.
Jonathan Roxmouth, the Phantom, lives the character. His body language is efficacious. The timbre of his voice unassuming, yet heart wrenching.
The only minus of the play is that it captures the audience a wee late. The first auction part is not comprehended by quite a few.
To conclude, The Phantom of the Opera is a visual treat that the Mumbaikars shouldn’t miss.
