I love a Christmas Eve matinee; no matter what show you choose to see, it really gets you in the Christmassy spirit. Going into the theatre when it’s light, coming out when it’s dark and cold, and everyone smiling and feeling happy about the day to follow.
So, off to Phantom we went this year; my favourite show. As always, it was fantastic, and I love that I always see something new every time that I see it - a slightly different characterisation, interaction etc. I especially love the Final Lair scene, as that is when you really get see the characterisation and dynamics between the three leads. Everything moves so quickly prior to this point that, other than the managers in the first ‘Notes’ scene and the Phantom in ‘Music of the Night’, there isn’t really a huge amount of time for actors to stamp their mark on the characters or the various relationships. However, in the Final Lair scene, they get to play with the characters a lot more and, for me, this is the moment when the show really comes to life.
This, I think, was the first time that I have seen the Phantom embrace Christine back; and I saw Christine’s decision to stay with the Phantom to save Raoul. It always breaks my heart though when Christine seems to leave the Phantom so easily - I want to see her internal struggle, and I want it to be the Phantom who eventually tells her that it is ok for her to go. This is how the 25th Anniversary Concert ends and it is my favourite interpretation of the ending.
I will never get tired of seeing this show, so I can’t wait to see it again. Thank you Phantom for helping us celebrate Christmas.
I have to say though that audiences are getting worse and worse. Talking throughout, rustling sweet bags, rustling coats, taking photographs, checking their phones on full brightness. It’s absolutely awful! I think that theatres might need to introduce light pointers to point at offenders, and start asking people to leave, because they really are beginning to ruin other people’s enjoyment of shows. It’s not fair, and it’s not acceptable. Maybe if people start being asked to leave shows for particular behaviour, then it might make audiences’ a bit more respectful. Here’s hoping…
Anyway, this was probably the last show that I’m going to see in 2019, so bring on 2020 and more trips to the theatre (with, hopefully, better behaved audiences!).