Love Never Dies London review

I know the show closed months ago in London but after reviewing the Australian production, I figured why not!
Love Never Dies
Rating: **
Starring: Ramin Karimloo, Celia Graham, David Thaxton, Liz Robertson, Haley Flaherty
As you already know the plot I'm just gonna get straight to the point and review it. The set design was alright but didn't have that spark that Phantom had and I could clearly see they tried to make it spectacular with the Coney Island Waltz but failed miserably. The lyrics were an improvement from how it started with the album I must admit, but they certainly didn't suit the show itself or anything really it just all seemed to clash. The background set was just awful clearly made out of cardboard and the Phantom's lair was just terrible, which included a walking skeleton with women's legs randomly walking around and a weird robot of Christine, which appeared in the prologue played by Celia. Also, the projections used gave me a headache and were overused for scene transitions they were clearly trying to hide.

The actors didn't necessarily benefit anything either, with only Ramin Karimloo (previously the Phantom in London and at the 25th anniversary concert which I went to) making an effort as the Phantom, with his stunning and seductive voice winning me over. Celia Graham (previously Christine in London) had a pretty voice indeed, but her acting skills needed to be improved and she failed to win me over with the grand aria of the title song, even though I could see she tried. Liz Robertson, in my opinion, was too stern and strict to play Madame Giry and she made her look like the Mama Rose of Phantom with her daughter Meg. Haley Flaherty made me and the audience laugh as Meg, and her transition from sweet and innocent to jealous and rejected was a moderate success. David Thaxton (well known as Enjolras in Les Miz) was unusual as Raoul, making him abusive and constantly changing his accent from English, to American, to French for some bizarre reason. I was just thinking 'Make up your mind, where's Raoul supposed to be from?!'

Luckily after the show, I was able to meet the cast including Ramin, Celia and Haley. Here are some pics of me with them (these are all back in my chubby days and I've had my hair cut since then!):

Love Never Dies review

This review is for the DVD of the Australian production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to the Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies.

Love Never Dies (Australian Production)
Rating: ****
Starring: Ben Lewis, Anna O'Byrne, Simon Gleeson, Maria Mercedes, Sharon Millerchip
This spectacular new version of the sequel to beloved Phantom, puts the London production to shame, which I saw before it closed back in August, with a brand new set design, choreography and lyrical changes its a wonder why Andrew Lloyd Webber never used this creative team in the first place, with the new set including a circus tent revealing a carousel which lights up and a freak show of mirror obelisks which include a mermaid and a fairy. The show appears to tribute Phantom's Gothic and grotesquely beautiful style, with Andrew Lloyd Webber's music still being as lavish as ever, with the title song and the phantom's opening number 'Til I Hear You Sing' being the biggest crowd pleasers, with the new lyrics referring to the drama more and aren't as clunky or lazy as Glenn Slater's lyrics. The show also has a better atmosphere of its theme of love, unlike London which seemed to be negative the entire time.

The show is set ten years after the events of Phantom in 1905 (though in reality it would be 24 years as Phantom was set in 1881, sorry for that trivia) and the Phantom, now a running a successful sideshow in Coney Island thanks to Madame Giry and her once sweet and innocent daughter Meg, is still pining for Christine and wants her to sing for him again, who's married to Raoul and has a child. She accepts, unaware of the Phantom's identity. Once the trio arrive, Christine is now forced to choose between the 2 men again and to reveal a secret she has kept since she married Raoul, now a drunk, with the money being used to pay off his gambling debts, which involves her son Gustave, who is strikingly similar to the Phantom with his musical skills.
Ben Lewis and Anna O'Byrne (who previously played Christine in Phantom) make a very good pair as the Phantom and Christine, making them appear to be the same characters I knew and loved from the original story both are vocally and acting-wise strong and realistic from start to finish, with one particular scene which I won't say which I never saw coming at all. Also, Anna's portrayal as Christine is much more motherly and caring towards Gustave and is more independent with making her choice rather than being forced to submit to the Phantom again. Despite this, Ramin Karimloo will always be my Phantom, sorry Ben! Simon Gleeson also does a splendid performance as Raoul, who is much more sympathetic and less abusive than Raoul in London, especially during his song 'Why Does She Love Me?' contemplating his marriage and the duet afterwards, 'Devil Take the Hindmost' both men appear to be at loggerheads, making a deal involving Christine. Maria Mercedes did a fine job as the now bitter and resentful Madame Giry, who despises Christine for leaving the Phantom and Sharon Millerchip does a spectacular job as Meg, singing and dancing her heart out only for it to be rebuffed by the lovesick Phantom, especially during her songs 'Bathing Beauty' and 'Only for You'.

After all this praise about it, I think you're wondering why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 and my main reason is this: in my opinion, nothing can compare to the original Phantom with it's seductive music and Maria Bjornson's Gothic set and costumes, and, while Love Never Dies has its charm, I think we should leave it as an original concept rather than a sequel and let the pointless comparing commence. Also, I think Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess from the original London cast had better chemistry and better vocal ability than Anna and Ben, but they're still amazing actors to be chosen for this spectacular show.

Oliver! Review

Here's my first review of the UK tour of the smash hit Oliver!

Oliver!
Rating: *****
Starring: Neil Morrissey, Samantha Barks, Iain Fletcher, Sebastian Croft (from when I saw it)
Cameron Mackintosh's new and spectacular version of Lionel Bart's classic adaptation of the Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist, was a real treat for me and my aunt (I went to Manchester for the week to see my family during half-term). All of the classic well-known tunes remained intact including Oom-Pah-Pah!, Food Glorious Food and of course Consider Yourself! The performance was amazing from start to finish and it was clear how much of an effort everyone had put in to make this amazing show appeal to an audience of children and adults alike. Neil Morrissey's (well known for being in Men Behaving Badly, but to a younger generation as Bob the Builder!) interpretation of comedian villain Fagin was a funny one indeed, referencing his past career in Men Behaving Badly and Bob the Builder, being a very convincing old aged pickpocket scoundrel, making a laugh-out-loud moment during his 'Reviewing the Situation' scene. Samantha Barks was certainly a treat for me to watch as the cockney tart-with-a-heart Nancy, with her wit and sympathy winning everyone over, especially during the coveted song 'As Long as He Needs Me', lamenting over her lover, the abusive Bill Sykes.

This, to me was also a personal triumph, as I saw her as Eponine in Les Miserables a year prior in London and meeting her afterwards and I must say, she is such a lovely young woman, who deserves to be given acclaim for this role. Iain Fletcher certainly played a rather terrifying and evil Bill Sykes, especially during the death of Nancy, being driven into madness and his song 'What's My Name.' Sebastian Croft as Oliver was certainly a crowd pleaser with his cuteness and sadness during the song 'Where is Love?' nearly driving me to tears! Will Edden as the Artful Dodger was also a delight to watch, with 'Consider Yourself' being the main highlight of the show, with the scene transitions of different areas of London and the cast team had sung and danced their hearts out. The set was fantastic, making me forget I was watching a show rather than a film and the choreography being thorough and thought out. Jack Edwards also made a comedic character out of Mr Bumble, who sells Oliver from the workhouse he was born in, beginning the adventure for an orphan who discovers his past while in the city of London. This show is amazing and is a triumph, and it made me laugh, cry and smile the whole way through!  Also, I was given the opportunity to meet Neil Morrissey after the show and he was a lovely person to meet!

Hi and welcome to my new blog about all things theatre from me, direct from Theatreland the Theatre Loving Fairy! This new site will feature reviews of the newest West End shows and a couple of classics which you all know and love! This blog will also feature exclusive photos of beloved theatre actors who I've met in my time and will be interviewing them about all things theatre!