My affair with Phantom of The Opera
I watched POTO first time in Singapore. Since my seat was rather too high for my liking, I was a bit sad that I couldn't see that much details. Nevertheless it was magical and the voices were hauntingly beautiful. After devouring tons of Phantom related stuffs, I made the decision of going to KL to watch it again at the best seat that my finance allows.
For this second viewing, I have formed somewhat a clearer interpretation of Characters based on original book, movies and other versions. It definitely makes the musical more interesting but knowing too much information also pollutes the magic that it gives. After all, there is the expectation that the whole casts need to live up to. Nevertheless, I dare to say the casts live up to my expectation. Somewhat. This review is based on my second time watching POTO in KL. There is no denial that I am very green to musicals.All of these is based on my opinions alone.
Raoul acted by Matt Leisy
I followed almost all casts on instagram after watching POTO in SG. Matt included. Maybe because of his dorky personality that I have seen on instagram, I could not shake off that dorky images when I was watching. He is like a good student, who does his job neatly,nicely and trying hard to improve on it. But never really striking. At one point when Raoul was declaring war on Phantom, he voice cracked. He was struggling too hard. But he improved and sang well till the final lair. He is good. But not the best.
Meghan Picerno as Christine
Short but mighty Christine. Among all the versions that I have seen, I love her Christine the most. Maybe because I am biased. But Meghan's interpretation is closest to mine. For me, Christine never loved Phantom romantically. It was tons and tons of curiosity, pity and fears. And I can see that in her Christine. One example is "Pass the point of no Return". Often,other Christine continued to dance with Phantom after discovering his mask under the hood.They danced erotically, curiously or simply to unmask to audience and etc. But for Meghan, she started to show fear upon realising it is phantom. She continued to "dance" but more like running away from him in actual fears. Her unmasking of him was like she was asking for help from everyone. And the final Lair, that will be continued below.
Jonathan Roxmouth as Erik
Jonathan is.... Jonathan's Phantom is... crazy. This guy did a lot of homework by reading the original work numerous times I guess. His phantom is the craziest one I have seen from youtube videos to Movie to 25th anniversary, which is very similar to the original book. I love it and "hate" it same time. 80% of the time, he looked like he is about to kill everyone, Christine, Raoul and even the audience members if he can. He stomped the stage like no other. NO other. During the "Stranger than You dreamt it" unmasked scene, He was rolling, stomping and running around the stage like he is the mad killer on the loose. Intimidating indeed but strangely, he did not shout too much like other Phantoms. But then, he does not even need to scream to scare Christine or anyone. Another 20% of Jonathan's phantom is being dreamy of course. His voice is indeed angelic. Very unique and smoothing. Many will love his Music of the Night,which I love it too, but my favourite is his "Wandering Child". NO ONE. NO ONE sang better than him in that part.
Jonathan's "weakness" lies in final lair which is also happened to be his best act. Very confusing to judge the Final Lair, especially for Jonathan.
Final Lair
The scene which even my boyfriend who does not like musicals but forced to come, sat up and focus.Jonathan's phantom was in full murderer mood. His acting shows so much anger but his voice is still in MUCH MUCH control. Still,Not much screaming. It is something that bothered me a bit because Ramin(Phantom from 25th) expressed this part with raw pains and anger in VOICE and acting. Something I loved. I like it when Ramin's Phantom shouted in agony.
For Jonathan,it is just the anger that I feel from him.He could destroy the stage with his stomping alone and I wondered if that bride doll needs repairs after every night. But this anger was clearly from his painful pasts and jealousy that he was feeling. Despite all these acting, his voice, still singing quite softly with much control! So it is something of very new interpretation for me.
When Raoul came to rescue, Phantom gave a very creepy greeting with a smile. I indeed wondered if I am seeing the joker from The Dark Night(Batman 2008). Good Job Jonathan. I will always remember that part.The ceepiest smile ever to be seen in real life.
Christine was definitely on #TeamRaoul but she was very much confused by her pity for Phantom too. When the trio sang together, it was beyond amazing. Jonathan was SO powerful, Meghan was so emotional and Matt(despite the struggle in first parts) was able to join the two voice-powerhouses and held on to his own. After "You deceived me", Phantom's was STILL VERY much in rage that he was about to slap the Christine. He swinged with full force only to stop and touch softly to her face. It was the best act by Jonathan In my opinion.
Then the kiss came and everything turned 180 degree. From Book, my interpretation of Phantom after kiss/Christine left is a poor damaged soul who embraced his broken life and walked to death. So broken that that he actually died,alone and heartbroken.But he accepted it and was glad that he let her go. Because he found the truth of love,this is not obsession.
For Jonathan's Phantom, it is more like he has given up.Not on life. But on Christine ONLY. Which I don't really like. Maybe he was thinking of "Love Never Dies" while acting last scene but I don't feel Enough pain from him after last scene. His singing is still extremely good though.
Last but not least, The music. I am not well versed in music so anything that is smoothing and enjoyable is good enough for me. So I have nothing to complain about the orchestra. Same with chandelier. It was already magical enough to see this at this tender age where going to Overseas to experience this is an impossible dream for now. I am a phans. And Yes. I like Jonathan a lot too.
