house of phantomology

“Greedy!”

They seemed to break down into a few specific categories: rhyme scheme correction, grammar correction, and disambiguation.

The most common changes I noticed seemed to be geared towards fixing slant rhymes. For example, Meg’s line in AoM has been changed from “distant from all the applause” to “[…] encores”, to ‘better’ rhyme with “the words aren’t yours” (though, IMO, the syllable placement on this one feels off in a way that sticks out worse than the original slant rhyme). I think there were at least three or four of these.

Then there were the grammar corrections. There were a few of these as well, but the one that I remember most clearly was in “Why Have You Brought Us Here”: now Christine sings, “those pleading eyes/which both threaten and adore”. (Which I’m pretty sure isn’t even the most correct of the two options, so……) (On the topic of this scene, as well, either “To the roof! We’ll be safe there!” has been removed, or the audio malfunctioned and just didn’t play.)

Then there were the ones where apparently someone just decided that the original was confusing. In this category, we find: 1. large alterations to the chandelier description in the Auction, in the continued attempt (also seen in the revised tours—though with different lyrics IIRC) to explain why the supposed “chandelier in pieces” is actually intact. And 2. pandering to the people who still don’t understand Don Juan’s very simple scheme: mainly consisting of several pronoun switches that throw off the rhyme scheme (I thought we were avoiding that now, guys?), fail to enlighten, and only serve to confuse people who do know what’s going on—”When you met, you wore your cloak” “She believes she dines with you in your master’s borrowed place”).

I saw it, but I was in doubt if they wanted it shared widely. I guess all attention to the case is needed and welcome, so here goes:

Mellie Stewart, talented London-based Australian actress, had the rare but life threatening VITT response to the Astra-Zeneca vaccine. It means your body and your blood goes into overdrive because of the antibodies and reacts in highly unwanted ways. For many it ends in blood clots and strokes.

Mellie Stewart is the wife of ex-Phantom Ben Lewis and sister-in-law of ex-Raoul and Phantom Alexander Lewis. They are thus the ones boosting the Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-melle-stewart-after-lifethreatening-stroke

As you are all aware, theatre has been near non-existent during the pandemic. It means Stewart/Lewis has had a minimum of income the last 1,5 year. On top of that, when theatres are reopening, neither is able to work - Mellie because of the rehabilitation after the life-threatening condition and Ben because he needs to stay by her side. On top of that their family in Australia has been cut off from visiting them and being of physical help.