Love Never Dies

This amateur premiere and eagerly appreciated sequel to Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” created an amateur theatre buzz around the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and no one was disappointed.  The echoes and familiar strains of the original were evident from the opening with a spirited Prologue from the orchestra under Ian Room’s accomplished musical direction followed by our introduction to The Phantom himself.  As musical theatre roles go, this is one of the most demanding, not only in its construction but also because of the legendary artistes that have gone before.  West Bromwich Operatic Society can now join that exclusive club with their own tremendously talented, Dan Smith, who gave the role everything and triumphed, an amazing achievement, thoroughly appreciated by an audience who responded with warmth and admiration.

The show is by no means a one-person performance and the whole company looked as if they were enjoying every minute of this demanding piece. From the opening we are in Coney Island experiencing ‘Phantasma’, an amazing opening from a polished and gifted ensemble, the shocking spectacle of the weird and the wonderful from jugglers to fire eaters, a strongman to Siamese twins and the bearded lady to the wolfman are on display dramatically introduced by the freak show trio of Gangle. Fleck and Squelch – played eerily by Adam Partridge, Tasheka Coe and Connor Welch and got the show off to an exciting start.

We are 10 years after “Phantom of the Opera”, but the familiar characters are in evidence: Madame Giry, played with suitable menace by Sarah Moors and her daughter Meg played by Holly White, who affectingly displays her desperation and unrequited love for the Phantom, are links with the past; Still showing his deep-held love for Christine Daaé, played with superb understanding and enviable adeptness by Mollie-Anna Riley, The Phantom anonymously invites her to perform her American debut at Phantasma. She unknowingly accepts and is accompanied by her husband, Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny, excellently played by Tye Harris who has constantly to swap between anger, love and controlled restraint and her son, Gustave, played by Elijah Critchley who gives an extremely accomplished and polished performance.

The poignancy and desperation of all the characters involved was endearingly played out with talent and compassion with twists and turns handled deftly with Simon Pugh’s imaginative staging and direction.  Although sometimes predictable, the secrets were unveiled with compassion leaving the audience with a warm glow and a real feeling for the characters, despite some of their failings.  The scene on the bridge was particularly well handled and very moving. 
Equally there were subtle comic moments and some great ensemble pieces, I particularly liked the theatricality and enthusiasm in the ‘Bathing Beauty’ number, excellent staging, choreography by Claire Flavell and some great costumes, a great ensemble piece led by Holly White‘s Meg.

There were many musical highlights again abetted by Ian Room’s musical direction and the extremely talented orchestra:  the delightful duet ‘Beneath a Moonless Sky’ with The Phantom and Christine; Gustave, The Phantom and Christine in ‘Mother I’m Scared’ , the pent up anger and Raoul and The Phantom’s ‘Devil Take the Hindmost’ were noteworthy but the unforgettable moment of the evening had to be Christine’s  heartfelt rendition of  ‘Love Never Dies’ – an absolute delight!
Scenically, taking on a venue as imposing as Wolverhampton Grand Theatre must have awe-inspiring challenges, but the set worked beautifully, the scene with the mirrors was extremely intriguing, all in the trusted hands of Stage Managers Jen McKinnon and Nick Smith. There were a few minor technical issues but these in no way intruded on the amazing enthusiasm and talent of this accomplished company.

My thanks to everyone at West Bromwich Operatic Society for their kind invitation and warm hospitality. It was a pleasure to be witness to this theatrical landmark event.

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.