Latest news with #Masquerade
New Paper
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Paper
Still a masterpiece: The Phantom of the Opera dazzles with spectacle and song
Title: The Phantom of the Opera Performance season: Until June 22, 2025 Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (including intermission) Director: Rainer Fried Starring: Ben Forster, Grace Roberts, Matt Leisy Genre: Musical gothic romance Score: ✓✓✓✓ out of five Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless masterpiece, The Phantom of the Opera, has once again cast its spell over Singapore, playing at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands. For a strictly limited season from May 9, 2025, this brilliant original production resurrects the haunting tale of obsession and artistry. Based on Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel, it plunges audiences into the shadowed depths of the Paris Opera House, where a mysterious, masked musical genius holds sway, his heart captivated by the young soprano, Christine Daaé. Hits Storyline: The timeless gothic romance, based on Gaston Leroux's novel, remains profoundly captivating. It masterfully explores themes of obsession, unrequited love, and artistry, balancing grand operatic drama with moments of aching vulnerability that resonate deeply with audiences. The narrative of the disfigured musical genius, his talented protégée, and their tragic love triangle continues to enthral. Direction: Associate director Rainer Fried successfully conjures the production's signature dark and gothic atmosphere. The staging largely facilitates immersive transitions, guiding the audience through the opulent Paris Opera House and into the Phantom's shadowy lair with thrilling effect, effectively highlighting the story's inherent romanticism and suspense. Acting: Ben Forster as the Phantom and Grace Roberts as Christine Daaé deliver exceptional, vocally powerful, and emotionally nuanced performances, creating compelling chemistry. Forster's Phantom is both menacing and tragically human, while Roberts' Christine beautifully captures her character's journey. The strong ensemble cast supports them admirably, bringing energy and life to every scene, especially during grand numbers like "Masquerade." Audience Appeal: Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic score, featuring unforgettable melodies like The Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, and the titular theme, combined with the spectacular visuals and enduring love story, ensures the musical captivates both seasoned theatregoers and new generations. It offers a deeply moving and memorable theatrical experience for all. Misses Production Value: While individual vocal performances, particularly from the leads, soared with clarity and power, the sound mixing proved less optimal during more complex arrangements. Notably, when large sections of the ensemble sang together, or during the intricate, layered trios featuring the Phantom, Christine, and Raoul - moments that should be musical highlights - the sound occasionally became muddled. This unfortunately led to a lack of lyrical coherence at times, diminishing the impact of these crucial polyphonic interactions and making it difficult to discern the individual vocal lines that are so integral to the storytelling in those scenes. Is it worth a watch? Absolutely. Despite potential technical inconsistencies that might mar the occasional performance, The Phantom of the Opera remains an undeniable theatrical triumph. This Singapore production is a powerful testament to its enduring magic, largely driven by its haunting music, powerful lead performances, and the sheer grandeur of its ambition, and serves as a potent reminder of why Phantom has captivated millions worldwide for decades. Whether you're reliving the dark romance and operatic grandeur or experiencing its spell for the first time, prepare to be swept away. No recording can truly capture the visceral thrill and emotional depth of seeing this musical masterpiece live.
Times
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
This is easily the best way to spend an evening on holiday
My No 1 holiday rule is that you should never idle away an evening browsing Netflix, Amazon Prime or whichever other streaming platform your hotel TV has to offer. This sort of behaviour is typical of your non-holiday self and, therefore, not acceptable. The only exception to the rule is when you go away just before a season finale is released and cannot bear the wait — fine, swerve the spoilers and go to TV town. In fairness it can be hard to know what to do after dinner, especially if you're travelling solo. The most obvious answer is to drink. The second is to devour all those books you've never got around to reading. Alternatively you could combine the two — I've lost count of the number of city breaks I've taken in which the evenings have involved poring over chunky historical works in inappropriately lit dive bars. Do the narrative and detail go in? Not often. But it's certainly more enjoyable — and edifying — than crashing in a box room and rewatching The Walking Dead. Now that I am at an age at which hangovers hit harder, I've started taking a more refined approach. Self-improvement is still a goal, but why not make it relevant to the destination? Increasingly I've found that the most authentic way to experience a city at night — to see it through a local's eyes — is with a show, perhaps at a dance venue or jazz club. Usually these aren't places that tourists frequent. But they offer more vivid, tangible insight into a country's culture and history than, say, a museum; they are more fun too. Crucially language barriers can be avoided. And in the spirit of doing things like a local you can afford to be spontaneous — if you're not too fussed about what you're seeing you may well be able to grab tickets on the day for no more than the price of a cocktail. The most memorable evening of a recent trip to Armenia segued from ballet to jazz funk. Yerevan, the capital, is dominated by the National Opera and Ballet Theatre, with the city's two main boulevards meeting at a crossroads behind the building. Here, in a chandeliered, velvet-seated setting that has remained largely unchanged since it was erected by the Soviets in the 1930s, we saw Masquerade, based on music by the composer Aram Khachaturian. The best thing about the show wasn't the impressive twirling or leaping, nor even the thrillingly full-on score, involving a choir bellowing from the balcony — it was the cheery, unpretentious vibe. The crowd comprised young families, students, pensioners, all there to watch a commonly rerun show on a Wednesday night. You could tell from the well-rehearsed sprint to the baklava stand during the interval that this was something you just do in Yerevan. The Royal Opera House in London could only dream. Then came the 16-piece jazz-funk troupe. Around the corner from the theatre, the Artsakh State Jazz Orchestra had filled the underground Ulikhanyan Club with their pals. There were no overserious, chin-stroking types here; instead a certain buzz and jollity were palpable. Led by the conductor-trumpeter Tigran Suchyan, the band rattled through originals and Herbie Hancock covers, the whole room nodding along in delight. I learnt that they were originally based in Stepanakert, the capital of the breakaway Republic of Artsakh in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, until a 2023 Azerbaijani offensive forced its Armenian residents to flee, before settling in Yerevan. How's that for an immersive (recent) history lesson? • 26 of the best city breaks in Europe for 2025 Most big cities have a big theatre with accessibly priced ballets and a jazz club with shows every night of the week (other favourites of mine include Nardis in Istanbul, De Muze in Antwerp and New Morning in Paris). But a third option is the cinema — not the local equivalent of Vue or Cineworld, but one of those historic picture houses from the early 20th century of which many European capitals have a glut. Le Louxor, done out like a palace inspired by ancient Egypt, is an atmospheric spot in the French capital to catch English-language arthouse films (be sure to pick a screening marked 'VO' — version originale — to steer clear of dubbing). And just as magical, in Berlin, is Kino Babylon, which specialises in silent films screened with live accompaniments from its in-house orchestra; most have English subtitles. In Yerevan that night we had such a great time we ended up losing a phone and sharing a bucket in KFC. The second rule of holidays? Chicken strips are a just reward for an evening of high culture and sophistication. Have you found an interesting way to spend an evening that has helped you to get to grips with a new city? Let us know in the comments below
South China Morning Post
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
A look at some of the worst fires at nightclubs and music venues
A fire at a nightclub in the town of Kocani in North Macedonia has killed 51 people and injured about 100 more, according to authorities. Here is a look at some other nightclub and music venue fires that have led to significant death tolls: Advertisement – April 2024: A blaze at the Masquerade nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey, trapped workers and employees while the venue was closed for renovations, leaving 29 people dead. It was located on the ground and basement floors of a 16-story residential building. – October 2023: A fire that started at a nightclub in the southeastern Spanish city of Murcia and spread to two other clubs left 13 people dead. – January 2022: A nightclub in Sorong, in Indonesia's West Papua province, burned after two groups attacked each other inside the building. Nineteen people were killed. – January 2022: A blaze at Liv's Nightclub Yaouba in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, set off explosions that killed 17 people. The government suggested that fireworks set the roof alight and the fire then spread to areas where cooking gas was stored. Fire officers work at the scene of a fatal nightclub fire in Istanbul, Turkey, last year. Photo: EPA-EFE – December 2016: Thirty-six people died in a fire at a warehouse in Oakland, California that had been converted into a residence and event space for artists dubbed the 'Ghost Ship'. The blaze, which broke out during an electronic music and dance party, moved so quickly that victims were trapped on the illegally constructed second floor.
The Hill
16-03-2025
- The Hill
A look at some of the worst fires at nightclubs and music venues
A fire at a nightclub in the town of Kocani in North Macedonia has killed 51 people and injured about 100 more, according to authorities. Here is a look at some other nightclub and music venue fires that have led to significant death tolls: — April 2024: A blaze at the Masquerade nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey, trapped workers and employees while the venue was closed for renovations, leaving 29 people dead. It was located on the ground and basement floors of a 16-story residential building. — October 2023: A fire that started at a nightclub in the southeastern Spanish city of Murcia and spread to two other clubs left 13 people dead. — January 2022: A nightclub in Sorong, in Indonesia's West Papua province, burned after two groups attacked each other inside the building. Nineteen people were killed. — January 2022: A blaze at Liv's Nightclub Yaouba in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, set off explosions that killed 17 people. The government suggested that fireworks set the roof alight and the fire then spread to areas where cooking gas was stored. — December 2016: Thirty-six people died in a fire at a warehouse in Oakland, California that had been converted into a residence and event space for artists dubbed the 'Ghost Ship.' The blaze, which broke out during an electronic music and dance party, moved so quickly that victims were trapped on the illegally constructed second floor. — October 2015: A blaze that broke out during a rock brand's pyrotechnics display at the Colectiv nightclub in the Romanian capital, Bucharest, killed 64 people and left some 190 injured. — January 2013: A fire killed more than 200 people at the Kiss nightclub in the city of Santa Maria in southern Brazil. Investigators said soundproofing foam on the ceiling caught fire and released poisonous gases that quickly killed those attending a university party. — December 2009: Some 152 people died when a blaze broke out at the Lame Horse nightclub in Perm, Russia. It started when an indoor fireworks display ignited a plastic ceiling decorated with branches. — January 2009: An indoor fireworks display after a New Year's countdown ignited a blaze in the Santika club in Bangkok, Thailand, killing 67 people and injuring many more. Victims died from burns, smoke inhalation, and from being crushed. — September 2008: A fire killed 44 people at the jammed King of Dancers nightclub in Shenzhen, China when a stamped broke out after a fireworks show ignited the ceiling. — December 2004: In Buenos Aires, Argentina, a fire killed 194 people at the crowded Cromagnon Republic club after a flare ignited ceiling foam. Club owner Omar Chaban was sentenced to 20 years in prison for causing the deadly fire and for bribery. Others received lighter sentences. — February 2003: A fire at the Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, in the United States, killed 100 people and injured more than 200 others. Fireworks being used by the band set fire to flammable foam inside the club. — December 2000: A fire that was blamed on a welding accident killed 309 people at a disco in the central Chinese city of Luoyang. — October 1998: An arson attack against an overcrowded youth disco in the Swedish city Goteborg killed 63 people and left around 200 injured. Four people were later convicted for starting the fire. — March 1996: A fire at the Ozone Disco Pub in Quezon City, Philippines, killed 162 people. A large proportion of the victims were students partying to mark the end of the academic year. — March 1990: An arson attack at the Happy Land nightclub in the Bronx borough of New York City killed 87 people. It started when a man angry with his girlfriend threw gasoline on the club's only exit and set it on fire, then jammed down the metal front gate so people were trapped. — December 1983: A fire at the Alcala dance hall in Madrid, Spain, left 78 people dead and more than 20 injured. — May 1977: A fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky, killed 165 people and injured more than 200. — November 1942: The deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history killed 492 people at Boston's Cocoanut Grove club. The fire at what had been one of Boston's foremost nightspots led to new requirements for sprinkler systems and accessible exits. — April 1940: A fire ignited the decorative Spanish moss draping the ceiling of the Rhythm Night Club in Natchez, Mississippi, killing 209 people. The windows had been boarded up to prevent people from sneaking in.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Yahoo
A look at some of the worst fires at nightclubs and music venues
A fire at a nightclub in the town of Kocani in North Macedonia has killed 51 people and injured about 100 more, according to authorities. Here is a look at some other nightclub and music venue fires that have led to significant death tolls: — April 2024: A blaze at the Masquerade nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey trapped workers and employees while the venue was closed for renovations. It was located on the ground and basement floors of a 16-story residential building. — October 2023: A fire that started at a nightclub in the southeastern Spanish city of Murcia and spread to two other clubs left 13 people dead. — January 2022: A nightclub in Sorong, in Indonesia's West Papua province, burned after two groups attacked each other inside the building. Nineteen people were killed. — January 2022: A blaze at Liv's Nightclub Yaouba in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, set off explosions that killed 17 people. The government suggested that fireworks set the roof alight and the fire then spread to areas where cooking gas was stored. — December 2016: Thirty-six people died in a fire at a warehouse in Oakland, California that had been converted into a residence and event space for artists dubbed the 'Ghost Ship.' The blaze, which broke out during an electronic music and dance party, moved so quickly that victims were trapped on the illegally constructed second floor. — October 2015: A blaze that broke out during a rock brand's pyrotechnics display at the Colectiv nightclub in the Romanian capital, Bucharest, killed 64 people and left some 190 injured. — January 2013: A fire killed more than 200 people at the Kiss nightclub in the city of Santa Maria in southern Brazil. Investigators said soundproofing foam on the ceiling caught fire and released poisonous gases that quickly killed those attending a university party. — December 2009: Some 152 people died when a blaze broke out at the Lame Horse nightclub in Perm, Russia. It started when an indoor fireworks display ignited a plastic ceiling decorated with branches. — January 2009: An indoor fireworks display after a New Year's countdown ignited a blaze in the Santika club in Bangkok, Thailand, killing 67 people and injuring many more. Victims died from burns, smoke inhalation, and from being crushed. — September 2008: A fire killed 44 people at the jammed King of Dancers nightclub in Shenzhen, China when a stamped broke out after a fireworks show ignited the ceiling. — December 2004: In Buenos Aires, Argentina, a fire killed 194 people at the crowded Cromagnon Republic club after a flare ignited ceiling foam. Club owner Omar Chaban was sentenced to 20 years in prison for causing the deadly fire and for bribery. Others received lighter sentences. — February 2003: A fire at the Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, in the United States, killed 100 people and injured more than 200 others. Fireworks being used by the band set fire to flammable foam inside the club. — December 2000: A fire that was blamed on a welding accident killed 309 people at a disco in the central Chinese city of Luoyang. — October 1998: An arson attack against an overcrowded youth disco in the Swedish city Goteborg killed 63 people and left around 200 injured. Four people were later convicted for starting the fire. — March 1996: A fire at the Ozone Disco Pub in Quezon City, Philippines, killed 162 people. A large proportion of the victims were students partying to mark the end of the academic year. — March 1990: An arson attack at the Happy Land nightclub in the Bronx borough of New York City killed 87 people. It started when a man angry with his girlfriend threw gasoline on the club's only exit and set it on fire, then jammed down the metal front gate so people were trapped. — December 1983: A fire at the Alcala dance hall in Madrid, Spain, left 78 people dead and more than 20 injured. — May 1977: A fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky, killed 165 people and injured more than 200. — November 1942: The deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history killed 492 people at Boston's Cocoanut Grove club. The fire at what had been one of Boston's foremost nightspots led to new requirements for sprinkler systems and accessible exits. — April 1940: A fire ignited the decorative Spanish moss draping the ceiling of the Rhythm Night Club in Natchez, Mississippi, killing 209 people. The windows had been boarded up to prevent people from sneaking in.
