Saw Phantom At Hm! *dies*

[Forest]

Got back from London at about 10:30 last night (went on train) and I decided I would go to bed as I was completely zonked and post my review of POTO today. And so.

We (mum, dad, me, and mum's friend) arrived in London about 10am and first, before we did anything else, we picked up the tickets from the box office after which, I began to relax a bit, safe in the knowledge there was not[i]much[/i] left that could go wrong.

I'll just take this moment to say how enamoured I am of Her Majesty's. Completely stunning, both inside and out. And the dcor of the theatre itself! (Love Victorian style theatres!) Could RUG have picked a better home for Phantom? I think not. *g*

We then wandered around for a bit, visited Covent Garden and saw the
street entertainers Love the ones that stand stock still until you give them a bit of money and then they move. Woot! Lunch was a pretty quick affair at an Italian caf called Ponti's in Covent G. I highly recommend the tuna and melted cheese ciabatta. Lol. Dad and I then abandoned mum and her friend and headed down to the Haymarket. Dad, being dad, stopped for sushi before the show. Thankfully we had time to spare before the doors opened at 2pm.

When we got into the foyer, it was only a few minutes past door opening time and it was already pretty packed. Now, I don't normally go in for buying a ton of merchandise generally because I'm always skint. But for Phantom, I made an exception and I am now the proud owner of the bookmark, badge, pen and keyring (which is gorgeous!) as well as the normal programme and souvenir brochure (the new one for Earl).

Sat down in our seats about 2:10-ish and from that point on, till the show started, dad was trying to work out what the white gauze type thing on the ceiling was for. Does anyone know what it's for?

The show started around 2:30 and from the very first auction hammer strike, I was hooked and reeled in. Everything about the production was incredible and the Overture with the chandelier rising was awesome! And the costumes geeze the costumes were magnificent especially the make up on Erik. *dies* I can't quite remember who said it, but I can confirm that Earl Carpenter's Final Lair scene is heart wrenching I was in floods.

Another scene that I thought was spectacular was the journey down to the lair and across the lake. I don't know how the achieved it, but it really felt like there was water on that stage and the candles rising up, it just blew me away :wub: .

As regards the cast, I thought they were all very very polished in their roles and I have to say that Earl's Phantom moved me even more than Gerry's did, which meant I used up several packets of tissues, lol. Oh, and Oliver Thornton actually did a great job of Raoul, and I even felt a little sorry for him the final lair scene, which, considering I am definitely not a great Raoul fan, shows Oliver has a very real and raw talent for performing. *grins* Also, the woman playing Carlotta (can't remember the name and my programme is downstairs, and me, being lazy, can't be bothered to go and get it!) really entered into the role and got several laughs for her tantrums.

Earl's "Music of the Night" I absolutely loved. The interpretation he put forward was striking to watch as it seemed Christine was the dominant character in the scene, and he was the more suppressive and (for *serious* lack of a better word) shy.

The only character I really didn't care much for was Meg, but then again, I have never really warmed to her character, though for what reason, I don't know.

Heh, and I know this will sound sadistic, but before the performance began, several people were taking flash photography. They were taken out by an usher.and they never returned to their seats. Mwahahahaha. There was also one dolt whose phone went off right in the middle of Erik's Apollo's Lyre scene at the end of "All I Ask Of You". Thankfully, Earl wasn't fazed, but it didn't stop half the Dress Circle turning round and giving this guy the killer of all glares. *snort*

The performance ended about 5pm and dad and I made our way back to
the meeting point for mum and her friend outside the National Gallery. Speaking of the National Gallery, there was a guy outside who had done one of those chalk-on-pavement drawings. His was a copy of De Vinci's "The Last Supper" and it was AMAZING. When I get the chance, I'll upload the photo of it.

So, on the whole, it was a blooming fantast.PHANtastic day.*giggle* The seats were excellent. The red velvety barrier thing only obstructed the view of the actor's legs when they were on the far right of the stage. Other than that, we saw everything.

*looks up* Well, I think I've covered about everything there, but if I remember anything, I'll post it up, lol! If anyone has any questions etc, feel free to bombard me! :D

Hugs and much love

~Forest, on a natural high.