Phantom to land in India soon

The classic love story has been staged across the globe
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

What makes a musical run for 35 years? The biggest reason why The Phantom of the Opera, the 1986 mega-musical, still resonates with audiences across the globe is its love story, believes Rainer Fried, associate director of the play. “People feel drawn to that. Every audience member wants to be the Phantom, they want to be Christine and can easily relate to what the characters are going through,” he adds. 

Rainer Fried, associate director of the play, during a rehearsal
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The narrative centres around the Phantom, a mysterious, masked figure who lurks beneath the Paris Opera House, and Christine Daaé, a gifted soprano. When Phantom falls madly in love with her, he devotes himself to nurturing her extraordinary talents. But there’s a third angle – Raoul, Christine’s childhood friend. Torn between Raoul and the Phantom, the singer’s ultimate decision is a difficult one, adding a layer of compelling drama to the story.

The musical is said to be grand in every way
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Now, after shows in 85 cities worldwide, The Phantom of the Opera, finally lands in Mumbai.

The musical is based on a 1910 French novel by author and journalist Gaston Leroux, who was a follower of Conan Doyle and Edgar Allan Poe. Leroux placed his novel within the grand Paris Opera House whispered to be haunted by a ghost — apparently, during a performance in 1896 at the venue, a chandelier plummeted from  the ceiling, killing one. This event, coupled with rumours of an underground reservoir beneath the opera house, provided fertile ground for Leroux’s imagination, inspiring his tale of a haunted opera house and its mysterious resident.

The story was brought to the screen a century ago, in 1925, but adapted into a musical for the stage much later, in 1986. The show opened in the West End before going to Broadway in 1988. It was directed by Broadway hitmaker Hal Prince, the music was written by the inimitable Andrew Lloyd Webber. The songs include ‘Masquerade’, ‘Angel of Music’, ‘All I Ask of You’ and ‘The Music of the Night’. The play was choreographed by Gillian Lynne, who also choreographed the musical Cats.

The 1910 French novel was adapted into a musical for the stage in 1986
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The Cast

The Phantom of the Opera requires a performer to master singing, dancing and acting to bring to life the vibrant world of an opera house in the late 19th century. Searching out performers with this degree of expertise is a serious endeavour for associate choreographer Denny Berry. “Our current cast is drawn from the US, South Africa, Australia, China, South Korea and Italy. Jonathan Roxmouth plays the Phantom. American actress Grace Roberts, who plays Christine, says the role is challenging, and because she is on stage for most of the show, she works on building her stamina. “It keeps me fighting fit to do the show six times a week,” says Grace.

 Visual feast

The 150-minute show employs a 130-member team, including the cast, crew and live orchestra. The iconic set design that evokes 19th-century Paris, includes extravagant costumes, and everything from trapdoors to smoky gondolas, majestic staircases and secret lakes. The centrepiece is a chandelier sparkling with 6,000 beads and weighs almost a ton. 

When the show stopped

Though The Phantom… has survived cultural shifts, it could not survive the COVID pandemic. The show, which has always been a tourist draw, and relied particularly on international visitors, ended its record-setting run on Broadway in 2023.

The show might have accommodated changing audience perspectives to attract a younger audience, but it has its share of critics too. Some think it’s a cleverly marketed beast-meets-beauty story.But the strongest criticism the musical has had to face is its romanticising of obsession. Phantom’s obsessive love for Christine can be viewed as a problematic depiction of a relationship defined by control. Phantom also occupies a morally ambiguous space – he’s a tragic figure, but his villainous actions and manipulation raise serious moral questions. And why do Webber’s characters burst into a song at every turn?But if you love musical theatre and don’t mind an over-the-top spectacle, then you will enjoy it.