Fired up over Phantom

Published Mar 29, 2011

Share

‘It’s a classic and has the most amazing and truly glorious score that tugs at the heartstrings,” says impresario Pieter Toerien about the return of The Phantom of the Opera to Cape Town’s Artscape from November 22 to January 15 and Joburg’s Teatro from January 31, 2012.

He regards it as Lloyd Webber’s most beautiful musical and it is the one which he receives the most requests to return. Described in the publicity material as the world’s greatest love story, it is also Broadway’s longest-running musical, with people still queueing around the block when the night’s last tickets are sold at a special price. “They’ve never had an empty seat,” says Toerien and it’s now in its 23rd year on Broadway!

Also on the cards for the local run – which will be staged with a local cast by the international production team of 51 – is the return of the original South African Phantom, Andre Schwartz.

“His audition blew everyone away,” says Toerien who hadn’t been sure Schwartz could pull it off again.

“This is his moment with his singing. He is the right age,” adds Toerien, who believes Schwartz will do even better than the first time round, when he received all-round rave reviews.

They’re still finalising the female lead, with the perfect soprano voice required for the role of Christine a tough one to find. It’s a role that is alternated because of the demands, and a third artist is also appointed as an understudy.

If anyone isn’t familiar with the musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sweepingly romantic score includes Music of the Night and All I Ask of You – both songs that will be instantly recognised.

Phantom tells the story of a disfigured musical genius, known only as The Phantom, who haunts the basement of the Paris Opera House. Mesmerised by the talents and beauty of a young soprano – Christine – the Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine’s love for Raoul, the Phantom’s obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events, in which jealousy, madness and passions collide.

Phantom is sponsored by Telkom with bookings open from today for the Cape Town and Johannesburg seasons.

Related Topics: