Phantom of the Opera

Just back from watching a musical. Great show with powerful voices. Phantom of the Opera, of course. It's been so widely publicised and despite it's second time performing in Singapore, response appears to be still pretty overwhelming. For myself it was an eye-opener since it's the 1st time I'm watching a musical and watching in Esplanade. As I had said, the 1st thing that I recalled was the powerful voices that literally resonated in my mind. And it's not due to the wonderful sound system or sound-proofing of the theatre. Although some actresses were so good with their sopranos (or however you call it) it was pretty piercing to the ears several instances, I've got to hand it to them for their control with those twisting and turning of the keys, notes, pitch and what-have-yous. I'm not a musical guru, I'm a 1st-timer so don't mind me for my ignorance. Scene transitions were amazing. I wouldn't compare it to the movies where effects can be animated and edited after filming, since this is stage and 'live' performance, so it wouldn't be fair. Although the intensity of the story was not as strong as the movie, the effects they managed to produce in the space and time constraint setting is very amazing for me. I wonder how big the backstage crew is just to keep the show running this smoothly. Sound, lights, props, dressing, and of course orchestra too. Great music indeed. The change and transition were very aptly arranged, producing very desirable effects for the story. Don't really know how to describe the feeling but it's definitely positive.

As for the story, still as touching as when I saw the movie if not stronger. Went teary at the end when Phantom faded away back into the shadows. It's a sad story in any case, a pitiful protagonist that was forgotten and left behind while the rest of the world moved on without him. Being isolated for years, the obsession and hunger for love took over when he found someone who looked up to him as an angel. An angel of music. Ah... Sweet, isn't it? The thing amazing about Phantom of the Opera is that there is no clear antagonist. I always thought it can't work with all good guys. The lead has gotta meet up with some trouble and while getting past these some evil character has to appear and jeopardise the originally easy-to-solve problem. That's where the climax of the show comes in. But in Phantom, everyone seems to be the good guys but on deeper thought everyone is also the bad guys. Phantom being overly possessive, murdering and threatening people. Christine for being selfish, I thought so 'cause it seems she had hardly try to understand why Phantom lurking in the theatre and why he taught her to sing. All he ask for was companionship and yet all she ever did for him was to receive his teaching. Raul for having taken Christine away and intending to kill Phantom. In the end leaving Phantom to creep back into his solitude with the reputation of a terror. The rest of the characters are needless to say pretty obvious their flaws. But flaws make them irritating not necessary bad though. Don't really know how to explain myself once again but I guess you'll get my point if you know the story. Not a bad production, in fact I give it a 2 thumbs up for having kept me totally awake despite being so tired. I was yawning away before I went in and I thought I might doze off from tiredness. Was so awake I didn't realised it until I was on the bus leaving Esplanade. Makes me wanna watch other productions as well. I'll probably start with the more established productions. In the meantime, anyone has any musicals to recommend?

Share with you guys some of my favourite scenes:
Say you'll share with me one love one lifetime... Say it to me and I'll follow you.. Hope I didn't get it wrong. I like the tune more so the melody keeping playing in my mind but the words needs some reminder. Like the part where Phantom sang in the end at the labyrinth (can't remember how to spell it) about saving him from his solitude, very touching. That's where I teared. Pitiful soul.