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.
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