Phantom of the Opera, West End 23-24 Cast

POTO LONDON 16/03/2024 CHUMISA’S 3RD SHOW!! - REVIEW

(Audio will be gifted soon!)

I had booked this trip before Chumisa was announced to be taking over as alternate the day before so I was kicking myself I just missed her first show, I had heard clips of her online and she sounded incredible and lots of people were raving about her.

I went to the show expecting Eve or Colleen to be on as Lily had been off the Thursday and I didn’t think Chumisa would have done 2 shows directly after her debut BUT low and behold her name was on the castboard however I was a little skeptical as there has been a few times where it’s been incorrect.

During the Hannibal ballet Chumisa came out and I was so excited!! She looked gorgeous in the costume and wig! I also got the pleasure of seeing Lily as Carlotta again who was also brilliant, during Carlotta’s think of me Chumisa was in awe of her and just as the cloth was about to drop you could sense that she had sensed the presence of the phantom.

She began think of me and had a lovely vibrato to start off and then she delivered an unbelievable rendition of the song! So elegant in the way she moved in the Elissa skirt and so smiley like her Christine couldn’t believe her luck! Her cadenza was angelic to say the least so floaty and the high note so strong!

Her chemistry with Joe in the dressing room was so so good she played Christine like a total giddy teenager which really worked!

Her title song was lovely she has a great lower register for the beginning and then her cadenza was BEAUTIFUL and really powerful!

Perfect acting in music of the night played Christine with so much curiosity she was just fascinated by the phantom, her facial expressions and again so elegant in the way she moved!

The unmasking again just great acting and she held the note when singing “who’s is that face in the shadows…who’s is that face in the maaaaask” tiny detail that I LOVED

In the rooftop she was not having any of Raoul’s BS she completely stood on her own and almost seemed to be like well if you don’t believe me see ya later!

All I ask of you was brilliant! Again their chemistry was so palpable one of my fave performances I’ve seen of that song!

Masquerade again her little acting choices were so solid it was as if she was searching for the phantom in the crowd! Notes/managers 2 she stood up to Carlotta really strongly and when she got to Twisted every way you could see her Christine totally break down like she had nothing left to give, truly wonderful poignant acting choices!

Her wishing was SOOOO GOOD she relied a little more on her belt which I imagine she’ll get more into the soprano side further into her run but for her 3rd ever show an absolute acting masterclass!

In PONR she was stunning! When she knew it was the phantom it was almost rage coming out in her singing like she was so over his nonsense lol

NOW…..the final lair…..WOW

She was inCREDible!!! Again a lot of belt but it worked so so well for her portrayal of Christine she really held her own here I was blown away! I got that Chumisa rn is more of a Raoul Christine as opposed to Lily who’s the polar opposite so a really lovely change!

Overall for her 3rd show as Christine I see Chumisa being a fan favourite, so much charisma and charm in her Christine and vocally was beautiful and will only get better! All 4 London Christine’s are top of their game we’re truly spoiled!

Costume notes:

- Her wig texture and style was stunning I just wish they’d add a bit more hair to make it a bit fluffier.

- Her Elissa Skirt is like Anouk’s one so no big bow in the back and gold appliqué round the fake bodice.

- Lovely mint bow in her hair for Il muto and I’m not a massive costume buff however her rooftop dress looked different and I can’t pinpoint why?

- Her masquerade dress was slightly better than Lily’s the bodice was perfectly fit and adequately beaded and the skirt had a lovely shape! West end star princess’ are just not my fave tbh!

- Her wishing dress was like the original production ones with the waterfall drape which was interesting I wonder if that will change

I have to give a quick post about the new West End Phantom of the Opera at Her (soon to be His) Majesty’s Theatre.

I saw the West End production on Saturday just gone and I can honestly say the new sets were brilliant. I couldn’t find a fault in them!

I know that it’s not the Hal Prince staging anymore and yes that was a part of history and it’s a tragedy they got rid of this but it is just that, history. We can look back on the wonderful changes that have been made to update and keep people going because I can tell you now, I know some people that have seen shows a few times and not bothered to go back until something such as the staging has changed. It brings in new and old fans.

It’s terrible that Broadway is closing but let’s hope it reopens with the new sets.

I hadn’t really thought about Her Majesty’s changing its name depending on whether a king or queen is on the throne but of course that’s always been the case. From now on Phantom will be playing at His Majesty’s Theatre, one of so many things that will be different now.

It’s official now

On a new adventure! 😱💖

“ Probably no other singer ever remained on the stage as long as Patti, and none certainly ever succeeded so long in making every bar she sang, almost equal in value to a bar of gold.” New York Evening Post 1903.

“ She was a fine lady whose name was known the world over as having the most beautiful voice. She had lovely jewels, lovely palaces and lovely horses. There is a queen, maybe one in every country, but there is only one Queen Of Song. When Patti sang, she made the people forget all that was nasty and bad, huge crowds of people used to stand in the street just to hear her sing. To have a voice like Patti, was to walk about with heaven inside." Luisa Tetrazzini

Emma Calve.. “Patti’s charm and artistry are divine, almost miraculous. Her voice is like a string of luminous pearls, perfectly matched, every jewel flawless, identical in form and color.”

Luisa Tetrazzini.. “ Patti is a majestic being, more divine than human, so exalted that it was almost sacrilege to speak her name.”

Nellie Melba.. “ Patti has always been an idol, and her voice is perhaps the most golden I have ever heard: the timbre of it was exquisite, the diction crystalline.”

Jenny Lind: “ There is only one Niagara; and there is only one Patti.”

All right, Phans, it's time to tell my tale of the performance of Phantom I saw tonight at His Majestys Theatre....

I was privileged enough this evening to see the performance, with the titular character played by Jon Robyn's (who was utterly phenomenal)

I knew from the beginning notes of Music of the Night that he was going to be a good Erik, but what really cinched it was the final lair scene

This.

Man.

Put everything into this production and I was utterly floored

He played him as he should be played, which is unpredictable. This style of acting added layers to the character, but the part I really want to talk about is right when Christine and Raoul were about to leave and Christine is torn between staying or leaving

They start to approach him, and he. Freaking. Growled. At. Them.

I repeat

He.

Growled.

At.

Them.

I was shocked when it happened cause I had never seen anyone do that as Erik.

That's truly what I wanted to talk about on this post, but I also give congratulations to the whole cast for their portrayals of these characters that i hold dear to me

(An honorable mention to the man playing the rat catcher in the end of act 2, btw!!!)

I’m home again!! 🎉

Technically I came home a few days ago, but I’ve been way too tired to come online and resume my usual activities 😅

My travels were very fun and very exhausting. I didn’t see any strange creatures out on Loch Ness, but I did buy 2 Nessie plushies! In fact, here are all the plushies I acquired on my trip (the squid is a belated birthday gift from @timebird84​ 😆) Also, that is not a pipe.

I wanted to buy a Miffy plush while in Holland, but the prices were a bit too high, so I bought a used one on eBay for much less and she was ready to greet me when I returned home, making her an honorary souvenir plush 🌷 Here she is wearing some little clogs I bought in Holland:

Lastly, here’s Kenji the Boba on a joyride through the English countryside 😂 (you may have to wait several seconds for the gif to play)

Hope y’all have been well! ����

Can we please talk about the fact that in her/his majesty theatre in London aka the place where they play phantom of Opera, was actually an incident where a chandelier fell down onto the crowd ? It was 1794 or 1795 and the chandelier fell during a performance from the ceiling and crashed into the auditorium below. There were luckily no injuries

Still creepy as hell

Let's talk about Miss Charlie Bucket

I feel like this post is opening a whole can of controversial worms, and that makes me uncomfortable. I know it shouldn’t though, in a land of free speech and open minds. I even know that I myself am often pushing and advocating for people’s dreams to not be limited by the societal boundaries of gender. Let me not fall into a rabbit hole of awkward shuffling and excuse mumbling. Earlier this…

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Snippet from Holly and Matt’s last “All I ask of you” where you can hear their voices break 😭

*do not share outside of tumblr*

POTO LONDON AUDIO GIFT

September 22, 2023

Jon Robyns, Paige Blankson, Joe Griffiths Brown, Kelly Glyptis, Matt Harrop, Adam Linstead, Francesca Ellis, David Kristopher Brown, Maiya Hikasa

*family behind were a little loud at times but not too distracting*

Please trade as normal, list as Phantomtrader19’s master

https://mega.nz/folder/Sxl1SBQa#WHaCwNkIxpAgbLzEGstkdg

His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen by FotoFling Scotland Via Flickr: A view from the Dress Circle of His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen. [Book of Mormon Set] His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen is the largest theatre in north-east Scotland, seating more than 1,400. The theatre is sited on Rosemount Viaduct, opposite the city's Union Terrace Gardens. It was designed by Frank Matcham and opened in 1906. On its centenary in 2006, the theatre was "twinned" with His Majesty's Theatre in Perth, Western Australia. The venue was bought in 1933 by James F Donald, a local businessman, who refurbished the venue and introduced features such as external neon lighting, a cinema projector and a revolving stage – at its time, the only one in Scotland. Upon his death, James F Donald’s sons took over the management of His Majesty’s Theatre thus continuing the "Donald Dynasty" until it was bought by Aberdeen City Council in 1975. Through purchasing the venue, the Council allocated £3.5 million to ensure the buildings survival. After 23 months of closure the theatre was reopened in 1982 by Prince Charles. After a National Lottery grant was awarded in 1999, the theatre was the subject of a refurbishment and extension. The new glass-fronted box office, café and restaurant was designed by City Architect Trevor Smith, who also designed the award-winning Aberdeen Maritime Museum. The auditorium was completely refurbished and new seats were installed. Backstage facilities were also upgraded. The theatre is regularly visited by Scotland's national arts companies and hosts performances from other major companies and the annual Aberdeen International Youth Festival. The theatre is managed by Aberdeen Performing Arts which also runs The Music Hall, and The Lemon Tree.

Holy shit I can't believe that I'm going to be performing in this magnificant theatre tonight making my west end debut! The fact that I've been rehearsing this show (with my first proper character with speaking lines) for 6 months and now the show is here! Really going out with a bang as my last show with PQA is my west end debut! Bring on Tonight! 🤩

I PRESSED THE SECOND OPTION OUT OF CURIOSITY I DIDN’T KNOW I COULDN’T CHANGE MY ANSWER PLEASE UPLOAD OCS IM SORRY

Well if you insist (it's fine btw don't worry)

My children

I actually made these drawings just today (from the inside of a bus so don't judge me too much) but I've had these boyz in my head for quite some time.

Might expand on the CBCU (Cheace Boy Cinematic Universe) again if I feel like it, but for now this will be all.