The Phantom of the Opera: The perfect show to take in this November
The Phantom of the Opera is currently showing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London with shows scheduled through 2022. For anyone who hasn’t had a chance to watch this performance it’s a must-see event that shouldn’t be missed. It’s been almost three decades since the musical premiered, but in many ways it feels brand-new.
The show opened to audiences back in 1986 and was based on a novel first published in 1909 called Le Fantôme de l’Opéra, written by Gaston Leroux. Even to this day, some themes in The Phantom of the Opera remain relevant and the production with music written by Andrew Lloyd Webber has bragging rights to being the longest running musical on Broadway.
This mega-hit has become a part of worldwide culture and it’s likely to remain this way for many years to come. It was the forerunner of many of the theatre productions released during the last decades and for this it deserves eternal gratitude by anyone that loves musical theatre.
The plot starts at the beginning and runs all the way through to the end with twists and turns throughout. It is also full of psychological concepts, which are intensely thought-provoking. Christine is the soprano who is fixated on darkness both externally and internally, Raoul is a kind-hearted soul with a desire to control, while the Phantom is a warped genius tormented by his physical deformity.
Relevance in today’s society
Christine has to deal with two different men, who both think they know what’s in her best interests without ever consulting her about her feelings. The Phantom’s behaviour is waved away for the most part, since he is a genius. Nonetheless, the actions of both will trigger debate in today’s society, making the play forever relevant – or at least contentious – and opening up new topics for discussion.
The difference between reality and appearance
One of the main themes of The Phantom of the Opera is the contrast between reality and appearance and, on a deeper level, what can occur when individuals don’t understand the difference. The Phantom is poised as the main antagonist in this story but also appears as the main protagonist as well.
Show-goers will definitely leave the theatre with some unresolved questions regarding life and how they view it, which is the mark of any great masterpiece. The Phantom of the Opera delivers this and much more, providing entertainment and music that have been combined to keep the audience on the edge of their seats from the very start to the very end, and to keep them thinking after the show is over.
Theatregoers would do well to find out what happens to Christine, Raoul and the Phantom this autumn and see the longest-running musical in the history of Broadway and London’s West End’s second-longest running production. Tickets are on sale now at CheapoTicketing.
The editorial unit
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