Road to Phantom

One gifset per production of ALW’s The Phantom of the Opera

I don't believe so sure, I can do a short one of him!

He's up there because he's clearly a Phantom who has been given a lot of freedom in the role, has put a ton of thought into what to do, and utilized both of that to do some really unique things. That being said, I think you can also tell when he's taken inspiration from others (e.g. him hugging Christine back during the kiss feels very much like Josh Piterman while his holding Christine's hand after was similar to David Thaxton, and I thought he had similar vibes to Ayanga's Phantom as well).

Overall I think he also plays a Phantom who is very easy to sympathize with, which I kind of mentioned in my review of Grace Roberts. Like, he does well enough being commanding and powerful (helped a lot by the fact that he is a head taller than his Christines), but it's the vulnerable moments where he really shines, which I suppose can also be a flaw - if you're looking for a very insane or angry Phantom, he's not really that. It's not that he's completely lacking in those qualities; there are moments where the way he moves or stands are almost predatory and other moments when he is a bit of a weirdo, as all Phantoms should be. Those are also usually the moments where I thought he got a little too dramatic or big with the acting. But it is the sadder moments that are the most memorable and where he's clearly doing a lot of new things, and it's why I enjoyed him so much. Vocals are good too, and he has a habit of pitching his voice quite high, almost falsetto-y, at particular moments ("yearns for heaven" and "dreams of beauty" in 'Stranger Than You Dreamt It', for example).

That being said, if you love a vulnerable Phantom a la Earl Carpenter who's clearly starved for touch, you'll love him! He throws in all kinds of new and interesting things, from revealing his face to Christine in STYDI and flinching away when she recoils, to pulling Christine in for a hug after she's felt his mask in PONR, to his whole entire kiss in 'Final Lair', to that ring return scene, to him holding up the veil to Christine's voice as she leaves in the boat, well... you'll have a lot of fun watching him if that's the kind of Phantom you enjoy! Or a lot of pain, whichever.

Have some more gifs! (Most are with Grace Roberts but the kiss is with Kayleigh Marven.)

No you're good!!!! Interesting phrasing... I understand the tour will be in China for the rest of 2026 (including Shanghai for the 40th anniversary). Though nothing has been officially announced after Wuhan...