Countries all over the world are implementing lockdown and movement control orders since the outbreak of Covid-19. I first got to know the Phantom of the Opera when I was flipping through my Form 3 English textbook. Although the English literature component was changed when I started secondary school in 2010, I didn't have the chance to study.
In 2015, I watched Phantom of the Opera on West End at Her Majesty Theatre during my first ever trip to England. Ever since I fell in love with Phantom of the Opera! Almost five years later, the classic was back again! Last week, we got to relive the classic during its 25th anniversary on YouTube with a time limit of 24 hours in the UK and 48 hours across the globe, and it was streaming for free!
I was feeling stressed due to a final project I'm currently doing in conjunction with my final semester in university. To destress from the studies, time to kick off my weekend to watch the 25th anniversary of Phantom of the Opera. It was late at night, I was done with watching the news. I opened up my iPad and started to watch 25th anniversary of Phantom of the Opera.
I was mesmerised by Raoul (played by Hadley Fraser) on the balcony scene, where he recognised his childhood playmate, Christine Daae (played by Sierra Boggess) in "Think of Me". The two were reunited at Christine's dressing room. Insisted to take her to dinner, Raoul went to fetch his hat and next thing we knew was the jealously of the Phantom (played Ramin Karimloo), slowly luring Christine through the mirror.
The chills came in when the theme song of the show kicked in, I was totally being transported by the fantasy of the Phantom bringing Christine to his lair where it was under the basement of the Opera House. Another favourite part of mine was the scene of "The Music of Night," when Christine saw a vision of herself in a wedding dress, fainted in shock. Although it didn't show it, the Phantom sorted of cast a spell on her and put her to sleep.
Besides, another favourite part of Act I was Christine and Raoul on a rooftop of the Opera House. Raoul couldn't give much but he would love Christine with all his heart. Back then, love was so simple yet pure. I may not be romantic, but I believe love will win in every other way.
Act II, the timeline was fast-forwarded to six months. A masquerade party was held at the Opera House, Christine and Raoul are secretly engaged. The Phantom crashed the party as the Red Devil, he wrote the final score of the next play. The big red costume, my mind was blown! How could they design a costume like that?
In the first half of "The Point of Return", Christine's acting partner was switched, and she felt something amiss when the Phantom slid in. Revealing his true form to the audience, it was down with the lair, this time Christine was forced to wear the wedding dress. Raoul came to the lair to save Christine, but the Phantom captured him with his Punjab lasso. Not afraid by his looks, Christine asked the Phantom what was the reason he lived.
Christine kissed the Phantom showing kindness for the first time. Having experienced kindness first time in his life, the Phantom released Christine and Raoul. The Phantom realised that love couldn't be forced even though we loved someone, that didn't mean the person will reciprocate their love. A tearful Christine returned the ring to the Phantom. The devastated Phantom sits on the throne with a black cloak covering him and magically disappeared. Meg was the first one to arrive at the lair, only to find his mask on the throne, and stared in wonder when the light shone on the stage as the finale.
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Phantom of the Opera, a bonus performance of the theme song featuring the original Christine (Sarah Brightman) from the very first show in 1986, featuring past and present Phantoms. My favourite Christine and Phantom pairing are definitely Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo. Looking forward to more performances from them.
Stay home and stay safe everyone! Thank you for "The Shows Must Go On" for giving us the arts during this challenging time.
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