I was quite late to the show, which wasn’t really my fault since I departed from home at 6pm while the show started at 8pm. Furthermore, I walked the final 400-500m in dress and make-up carrying my pink high-heels (thankfully I brought my flipflops).
In general, the show is not bad at all. The voices are really lovely, especially Christine. From afar, she even look Sierra-y most of the time. Raoul’s voice was unexpectedly beautiful and Phantom’s was deep and powerful. And although I’ve never heard the songs before, it was good. Not that special, I would say, because there are only two songs that I remember: Today and that song in the masquerade.
The main characters have totally different personalities, which I have mixed feelings about. It wasn’t comfortable for me, but I think that’s only because I’m already too familiar with Sir Lloyd Webber’s version.
- Raoul: quite the same as I expected with less charisma. He just seemed to be a lover boy but not a Viscount. And I don’t know why, but I felt that yesterday’s Raoul was too BLONDE.
- Christine: reminded me a bit of the character Glinda from wicked. At first you think she’s this sweet, sad girl. But last night she was really ambitious for me -____- and she didn’t seem to be confused about her feelings for both the Phantom and Raoul. From the beginning, she stated, “I’m married to my music” and to the Phantom she said, “I’m married to our music.” But at the end she left the Phantom anyway. Now it’s me who’s confused.
- Phantom: this is the toughest one to enjoy, since the last footage of Phantom I saw was the one played by Ramin Karimloo. Last night’s version is a bit weird for me. He seemed to be quite civilized, and even introduced himself as “Erik” to the commissary, but then he murdered someone -_____- so again, I’m confused. Personally, I like Webber’s depiction more, because that Phantom is much ‘clearer’: a dark, twisted, obsessed genius; rather than a bulky, seemed-like-a-nice-but-misunderstood-guy who murders.
- Meg: last night she became the hooker…oh my…
While the characters confusion was maybe what the show is intending, I was not so pleased with the supporting parties.
The ensemble was quite nice although noticeably small. They only have 3 violins, no cello, one double bass, two trumpets, two french horns, one oboe and another player who did flute and bassoon (cmiiw) alongside a timpani set of three, some percussion auxiliaries, and three keyboards. I think they did a good job, although it was clouded by lack of sound quality, which brings me to the next point.
I.am.immensely.disappointed.with.the.sound.quality.
The speakers are not good enough and they cracked a few times during the climaxes of the songs. At one time, it was not balance and the sound of the keyboard was only heard from the left side. I mean, come on. They expect us to pay at least IDR550K (around SGD76.8) to listen to disturbing noises caused by incompetent speakers? Added with the superbly disappointing promoter, it’s no wonder the theater was noticeably empty.
Another disappointment was the stage. With almost $80 spent, I expect something more solid than painted fabric as the background. It just looked…cheap. Sorry but it worth less than what I have spent.
