PHANTOM - What's Changed?! | Phantom of the Opera New Production Review + Show Stop!

To clear a few things up. The chandelier we see today was not intended to be collapsible, it was only supposed to drop. This was changed due to pressure and complaints from fans. The dressing room scene is actually the same apart from the drape. The masquerade drape and header are now used instead of the original blue drape. The travelator now only moves up and down and does not move forward like it did before. No doubles are used down to the lair, it’s the principals on the travelator. The candelabras don’t slide but do rise. Meg has always crawled through the portcullis at the end. There have always been people climbing down the portcullis at the end. The boxes now feature in the auction and are included more in some scenes.

Hey there, great video fella. I worked FOH at Her Majestys from 1997 to 2003, basically I watched it 8 times a week for 6 years, yay. To address your points, Yes, the boxes were always there Yes, people climb down the trellis and Meg also climbs down and crawls under The organ part of the overture, the entire Phantom of the Opera song and " Why so silent" Phantom singing after Masquerade have always been on click track. 😎🎃👍

The title song was always prerecorded. Seth Rudetsky, who’d played keyboards in the broadway version, has mentioned this many times.

I was a usher in 1990 in L.A. music center with Michael Crawford & Dale Christian. I haven’t seen it for years and it sounds like there has not been tons of changes. Such a great show. Wow i love live theater. 🤙🎭💕

The title song has always been pre-recorded.

Very helpful review. Thank you for talking in such detail about the voices.

Just realised how clever it is that the playout music is "wishing you were somehow here again". Well played ALW, well played 😚

Just dropping in to say that you’re friggin’ SPIFFTACULAR - and I love your content (and your vibe). Keep doing what you do, love 💕

Another brilliant review...first class!

4:00 my guess is that they struggled to get the masquerade stairs off on time

Ooooohhhh reaady for the tea thank you!

One of the things I’ve always wondered was how the actual actors playing Phantom and Christine got onto the bridge with or without the doubles doing the title songs. And I wonder how it looked like after the recent change

Phantom was the first show I ever saw! It will always hold a special spot in my heart. Seeing it live again (hopefully, covid willing) next year in Sydney at the Opera House ☺️

Love when you and Bryony Rose post, Phantom was the first west end show I've ever seen with Michael Ball as Raoul, haven't seen it since but would love to go again one day xx

Thank you for this review

I’m pretty sure that the entire title song has been prerecorded for at least since 98. (Source: I worked at a theatre on the tour that has played in four times and I dated a former stage manager for the tour and she told me it’s done everywhere.)

You deserve to sit in the front row seat! every time! Really enjoyed this video! love hearing your reviews and opinions! Not to mention your the most handsome guy to watch. Really start crushing on you when your talking about my favorite thing in the world MUSICAL THEATRE !

I'm a first time watcher of your videos. I'm a longtime Phan and have watched several versions around the U.S. since 1990. I wanted to answer a couple of your questions. Yes, there were boxes (5 and the Mgrs) which appeared on either side for Hannibal, Think of me, Il Muto, Don Juan Triumphant. They are recessed during inaction and move in to the stage for more action, as needed. At the end of the show, the Portcullis (the big gate thing that comes down in the lair) has always been the way down for the "mob" and Meg Giry to climb down. I have previously sat front row at Phantom, and if you look hard enough, you can see the ensemble mob members position themselves after Phantom cuts the punjab lasso from Raoul. ... "It's over now, the music of the night".... mob and Meg climb down as Phantom goes to thrown and covers himself. Meg climbs under the Portcullis to pull the cape and reveal the mask. After reading this, I kinda sound like a phantom nerd. Cheers from California. David.

I wonder if the change from the Apollo atop the proscenium was changed because the Phantom was scared of heights! I saw Phantom ten-ish years ago on Broadway and my guy was visibly shaking when he had to be at height.

I love the Phantom I lived in Philadelphia when it opened in NYC I used to ride the bus while my mom was at work and see it because of Phantom I went to Cats , les Miz then eventually my all time favorite Miss Saigon. NYC was scary but amazing at the time and these musicals just molded the city it’s hard to explain but it was a very dramatic time and they all seemed to work together. I’m nostalgic for that time and Phantom always reminds me of the late 80’s early 90’s. I’m glad they did not seem to fix what was not broken. I enjoy your videos!!!