The Phantom of the Opera

This Production of Phantom, without a shadow of a doubt, was a mind blowing production that will stay in the memory of those fortunate to have witnessed for a long time to come. Centre Stage has already got a good reputation for putting on skilled productions but to me this was up there with the West End. Everything about this production was good, very good. The lighting was clever, just a little more brightness perhaps? The youngsters, well you forgot they were of such tender ages, as they acted and sang with great maturity.

The set was brilliant ,with about four lots of curtains, very cleverly used to create a lush Opera House together with costumes (many of which were made by Sue Bonnett) that other societies would very much like to have access to . 

When Lucy Sansom, as the Prima Donna of the Opera, began to sing you knew this was just the start of something special. Max Johnson as Ubaldo Pianga the leading tenor was in fine voice and had obviously listened carefully to some grand opera, mimicking the lead tenors style and mannerisms. A voice to be nurtured.

Sylvia Hodgson as Christine Daae had it all .the look, the acting and what a pure singing voice. Again a young performer to watch, she sang so tenderly and beautifully.

Christine’s sweetheart, Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny (Regan Meadowcroft) played the role sympathetically and got it just right.

Liam Mabin as the Phantom, did this important role proud .he sang with great depth of feeling and empathy with a tragic character. The final scene was very moving. His make-up was very well done  

Monsieur Firmin (Matthew Jackson) co-Manager of the Opera played this role with great maturity and did not let up for one second along with Monsieur Andre (Cameron Woolsey) co-Manager.

Madame Giry (Emily Tucker) played her part well as the older woman with some knowledge of the Phantom and his dark arts. Her daughter Meg (Emma Chudley) was excellent as the friend and confidante of Christine.

There are so many more I could mention but suffice to say they were all so good in their different roles they can be justly proud. The Ensemble all performed with gusto and enthusiasm.

The orchestra were cleverly concealed behind a black curtain at the back, high up on the stage and to only be revealed at the end of the performance! Under the expert baton of Jeremy Rawlings.

The skills of those back stage and in the lighting box were very good indeed, the chandelier shook at just the right moment; maybe not as spectacular as those who have seen the West End show may have expected, but with more limited scope it was very well done. The clever staging of operas within the opera was very well done  

At the end of this production, the whole audience was so enraptured by the skills of such young people that a standing ovation was a given. This was the West End coming to Exmouth, what talent!  What a show! Congratulations to Sue Bonnett and her team.  Bring on the next Centre Stage performance.

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