The Phantom of the Opera Thread - The Opera Gets A New Cast!

[Princeton Returns]

He wasnt on when I went so never got to see him. I also really liked Hadley Frasers raoul at the 25th

[ClapYo'Hands]

Yes, I thought Will Barratt was wonderful - same with Hadley Fraser - although maybe Fraser shined more because his leading man was so bad?

[ClapYo'Hands]

Has anybody been to see the new cast of The Phantom of the Opera yet? And by new, I mean Peter Joback. Would be interested to hear how he's getting on!

[Sally]

"Chewingthescenery" aka Harry Zing wrote a lengthy comparison of one performance of the new tour with JOJ and another performance at Her Majesty's with Peter Jöback.
He enjoyed Peter Jöback's performance...sort of.

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"A lot of people, including myself, were very excited to see Swedish pop star Peter Jöback in the role.His performance at the 25th Anniversary Concert was spectacular for all the wrong reasons, but he is the first truly different Phantom to don the mask in ages and brings a buzz of excitement back to the West End. Well, he is certainly different! I really do have to commend Jöback; he tries so hard and actually attempts to make the role his own throughout. However, I couldn’t stop thinking about The Producers. Franz Liebkind falls and breaks his leg (“I broke my leg!“) forcing the uncontrollably camp Roger DeBris to step into the title role; what follows is a hilariously camp parody of a role which was written to be quite serious, no matter how melodramatic or over-the-top he may be in reality. I’m sure you follow my drift; Jöback is a laugh-a-minute and thoroughly entertaining in the role. Effeminate yet graceful, he moves like a Goddess; seducing Christine with a barrage of tightly choreographed dance steps in ‘Music of the Night’. Jöback has worked so hard on perfecting his ‘Phantom’ voice he is almost indistinguishable from the real thing (if you close your eyes), except when trying to sing at the very top or very bottom of his register. He looks simply fabulous in the role; a freak of nature, more make-up than man. The truth is, I actually really enjoyed Jöback’s performance; shamelessly showbiz but entirely effort-driven, he is certainly a curio which is worth a look, just don’t expect miracles. Incidentally, he missed the previous two performances due to a throat infection, I would strongly recommend if you must see him then do so now; I have a feeling he may not last until September.

REVIEW COMPARING TWO PERFORMANCES

[ClapYo'Hands]

Parts (or possibly all of) Joback's performance are now on Youtube if anyone wants to check them out.
The Music of the Night (Peter Jöback)

[ClapYo'Hands]

The Phantom of the Opera now has its new cast and the meet and greet with existing cast members who are staying on is happening today. There are rumours that Marcus Lovett (ex Broadway Phantom) could be the new London Phantom!

[ClapYo'Hands]

The rumours are true, Marcus Lovett will be playing the role of The Phantom (a role he previously played on Broadway 17 years ago), Simon Thomas will be playing Raoul, Lara Martins will be playing Carlotta and Anna O'Byrne (from Australia's Love Never Dies and The Phantom of the Opera) will be the alternate Christine. All from Monday September 3rd.

(Source: http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/news/latest-news/major-cast-changes-for-phantom-london)

[Musical-Matt]

what i wanna know is why is Anna only alternate!!!! ridiculous!!!i shall be going to a performance where anna is playing christine is i loved her LND performance!! and marcus lovett

[Princeton Returns]

Agreed, bringing her all the way over just for alternate. Shame

[Musical-Matt]

i think if your going to bring someone over from far away like australia then give her the role. personally i think she would be great in the role and i do think its time for sofia to go. but i wont say to much else i might get myself into a broadway world forum battle! but all i can say is i shall be going to a monday evening performance to support anna.

[boyfromoz2]

matt the same could be said for Tamsin Carroll when she came across for Oliver at Drury Lane. somehow, award-winning Aussie stars are somehow always relegated to standby/alternates in the West End ...

[ClapYo'Hands]

Don't forget Anna hasn't played this role for years and this is her West End debut. She's probably being geared up for taking over Sofia in June. It may be something to do with Equity too. In addition to this, it's a job. As a working actress, I expect Anna is glad of any chance. As fans I feel we sometimes forget what it is to be a working performer.

[My Oh My]

I agree. It's a bit hasty to get cross this early on. Who says they aren't planning on eventually making her principal Christine? Besides, I don't think alternate means second class. It means just that...alternate. An alternate is always just as good as the principal in my experience.

[ThankstoPhantom]

I don't understand where this "Anna is taking over in June" business is coming from. Sofia is contracted through the September 2013 cast change.

[ClapYo'Hands]

My apologies if that's the case, I thought she tweeted that she was contracted until June, but I un-followed her so I could just be misremembering.

[ThankstoPhantom]

It's okay. And I wasn't necessarily saying you were the cause of it (sorry about that!)... it's been mentioned on several forums now, so there seems to be an assumption (rather than rumour).

[Phantom of London]

I am long overdue to see London's Phantom again, the new cast change maybe the catalyst for me to go once again.