16-05-2025
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.
