(no subject)

I can now die happy.

I saw Anthony Warlow in Phantom of the Opera on Wednesday night. It was magical.

I had a wave of heat straight after I heard his voice for the first time. During "Music of the Night" I wanted to close my eyes and just listen, but didn't want to miss anything.

We had the alternate Christine, Julie Goodwin. Those long-time viewers of the Schools Spectacular on the ABC might recognise the name. She was lovely and blended with Anthony beautifully and matched it with him.

Unfortunately the Raoul was a huge disappointment, I'm very sorry John Bowles didn't continue with the tour. This Raoul was too stiff and wooden, too operay. There was no boyishness in his interactions with Christine, and no passion at all.

Wonderful Carlotta, during "Prima Donna" I nearly laughed out loud, she reminded me of Mrs Slocombe (Are You Being Served?). Piangi, Firmin and Andre were also wonderfully funny and over the top. Madame Giry and Meg were also good.

My other disappointment is with the characterisation of Phantom. He's a child, crying, shaking, having a tanty on the floor... I prefer my Phantom menacing, and found a few moments, especially in "Stranger than you dreamt it", almost laughable with his shrieking and crying. Luckily there weren't too many of them, and Anthony's voice is a wonder to behold.

And could the Lyric Theatre please put some padding in their seats, talk about uncomfortable to the point of painful.

We'll be going again :)

*

It was a bit of a drama getting to Phantom, but I did it. Between my period being not good, my body being achy, and my digestive system having its usual impeccable timing, up to mid afternoon was bad and there were tears.

Was sister, brother, mum and I, with brother driving us into the city. That was a bit of a worry with all the road closures and extra people with World Youth Day. We decided to avoid the Harbour Bridge and go via Ryde, Victoria Road and over the Anzac Bridge. My brother was particularly worried about running into traffic around the Iron Cove Bridge.

We ended up having the most amazing trip in, only an hour. No traffic jams, there were maybe a dozen cars on the Iron Cove Bridge, saw the most amazing view of the Harbour Bridge and gorgeous purple/pink clouds on the horizon from the Gladesville Bridge.

Since we were in there nearly 3 hours before the show started, we did some wondering around Star City. Joined up, so got $10 to play on the pokies...and quickly discovered we don't know what we're doing and have no luck. My brother was the only one who won anything. I can't imagine anything more boring than being in a casino and was mightily unimpressed with Star City. Had dinner, just fish and chips. Too many people, uncomfortable seating, and a few anxiety moments and waves of heat (also in the theatre).

Got out of there as soon as we could, went down to the Lyric Theatre, looked out over the Harbour, unseasonably warmer evening. My brother ran into a couple of people from the medieval festival. Checked the cast, whooped that we had Anthony, bought programs, and mum convinced me to buy the musical water globe. Can't decide whether it's cute or tacky/gaudy, but it's mine.

And then the magic began.

I survived and the moments of anxiety were just that, moments. Mum said she was proud of me.

(no subject)

I can now die happy.

I saw Anthony Warlow in Phantom of the Opera on Wednesday night. It was magical.

I had a wave of heat straight after I heard his voice for the first time. During "Music of the Night" I wanted to close my eyes and just listen, but didn't want to miss anything.

We had the alternate Christine, Julie Goodwin. Those long-time viewers of the Schools Spectacular on the ABC might recognise the name. She was lovely and blended with Anthony beautifully and matched it with him.

Unfortunately the Raoul was a huge disappointment, I'm very sorry John Bowles didn't continue with the tour. This Raoul was too stiff and wooden, too operay. There was no boyishness in his interactions with Christine, and no passion at all.

Wonderful Carlotta, during "Prima Donna" I nearly laughed out loud, she reminded me of Mrs Slocombe (Are You Being Served?). Piangi, Firmin and Andre were also wonderfully funny and over the top. Madame Giry and Meg were also good.

My other disappointment is with the characterisation of Phantom. He's a child, crying, shaking, having a tanty on the floor... I prefer my Phantom menacing, and found a few moments, especially in "Stranger than you dreamt it", almost laughable with his shrieking and crying. Luckily there weren't too many of them, and Anthony's voice is a wonder to behold.

And could the Lyric Theatre please put some padding in their seats, talk about uncomfortable to the point of painful.

We'll be going again :)

*

It was a bit of a drama getting to Phantom, but I did it. Between my period being not good, my body being achy, and my digestive system having its usual impeccable timing, up to mid afternoon was bad and there were tears.

Was sister, brother, mum and I, with brother driving us into the city. That was a bit of a worry with all the road closures and extra people with World Youth Day. We decided to avoid the Harbour Bridge and go via Ryde, Victoria Road and over the Anzac Bridge. My brother was particularly worried about running into traffic around the Iron Cove Bridge.

We ended up having the most amazing trip in, only an hour. No traffic jams, there were maybe a dozen cars on the Iron Cove Bridge, saw the most amazing view of the Harbour Bridge and gorgeous purple/pink clouds on the horizon from the Gladesville Bridge.

Since we were in there nearly 3 hours before the show started, we did some wondering around Star City. Joined up, so got $10 to play on the pokies...and quickly discovered we don't know what we're doing and have no luck. My brother was the only one who won anything. I can't imagine anything more boring than being in a casino and was mightily unimpressed with Star City. Had dinner, just fish and chips. Too many people, uncomfortable seating, and a few anxiety moments and waves of heat (also in the theatre).

Got out of there as soon as we could, went down to the Lyric Theatre, looked out over the Harbour, unseasonably warmer evening. My brother ran into a couple of people from the medieval festival. Checked the cast, whooped that we had Anthony, bought programs, and mum convinced me to buy the musical water globe. Can't decide whether it's cute or tacky/gaudy, but it's mine.

And then the magic began.

I survived and the moments of anxiety were just that, moments. Mum said she was proud of me.