When in Manila, and you are a fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, we got good news for you. The musical production recently had its opening night on August 25, 2012 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and has extended it season up to September 30. The extended season for The Phantom of the Opera is sure to give fans of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece a delight as it gives fans more opportunities to catch this Broadway classic.
The Phantom of the Opera @ CCP
Last August 28, Wheninmanila.com and a few members of the press were on hand to see the press preview for The Phantom of the Opera at the CCP’s Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. Inside the CCP’s main theater, we were treated to 2 excerpts of The Phantom of the Opera.
The Phantom of the Opera @ CCP
The first excerpt they showcased was the ‘title song’ of Phantom of the Opera. The scene shows the Phantom (played by Jonathan Roxmouth) leading Christine (played by Claire Lyon) to his hidden lair. It was a thrill to see the two performers act out the scene. I could definitely see the Phantom’s obsession for Christine’s voice as every bit and fiber of his body yearned for the woman to sing (and sing some more). On Christine’s side of things, she too showed a little terror and uncertainty after being coerced into singing for the phantom.
The Phantom of the Opera @ CCP
The second Phantom of the Opera excerpt was ‘masquerade’ which showcased the entire ensemble with Christine and Raoul (played by Anthony Downing) at the forefront. The brief except highlighted the solid and fluid motions of the ensemble cast for The Phantom of the Opera. After each scene was done, the cast members were nice enough to do a pose and pause for a moment as the press took pictures of them. The press preview was rounded up by the orchestra playing a couple of select pieces from the Phantom of the Opera’s soundtrack.
The Phantom of the Opera Panel (from L to R: Patricia Merrin, Guy Simpson, Rainer Fried, James Cundall, Tim MacFarlane, Anthony Downing, Claire Lyon, and Jonathan Roxmouth)
After the preview, we got a chance to meet, greet, and ask questions to several people from the Phantom of the Opera production: James Cundall (Producer/Lunchbox Theatrical Productions), Tim MacFarlane (Producer/Really Useful Company Asia Pacific), Rainer Fried (Assistant Director) , Patricia Merrin (Assistant Choreographer), Guy Simpson (Musical Supervisor), and the three cast members Jonathan Roxmouth, Claire Lyon, and Anthony Downing. Everyone from the panel said that it was great to be here in Manila to showcase the Phantom of the Opera at the CCP.
The Phantom of the Opera Cast
Jonathan, the man who plays the title role of the Phantom of the Opera, said that it was a “bigger privilege” for him to be performing here in Manila and he looks forward to continue with the next few shows. Claire expressed similar feelings of playing as Christine in this run of the Phantom of the Opera. For her, it was a big honor to take the role for this production.
The Phantom of the Opera Cast
When asked about his feelings of being part of the Phantom of the Opera cast, Anthony (who plays as Raoul) said it was “dream come true”. He told the press that it’s been a dream of his to be part of the production ever since he saw it. Anthony feels “overwhelmed to be [working] with this world-class cast”.
The Phantom of the Opera Panel
Asked if there were a lot of adjustments made for the Manila run of the Phantom of the Opera, Tim MacFarlane assured the audience that only a “few adjustments were made from the West End” version. For Mr. MacFarlane, it’s been “the real McCoy” in terms of production value.
The Phantom of the Opera Panel
Asked about how they kept their performance fresh on each show, the cast had some answers. Anthony said that every show was different for him and had a distinct challenge of its own. Jonathan went more in-depth and added that the final 15 minutes of the Phantom of the Opera “could keep and actor busy”. For him, finding a new nuance or movement in that scene was always challenging and a revelation to him. For Jonathan, every show was a chance to “constantly find fresh material”.
The Phantom of the Opera Cast
The panel interview ended and the press preview began its round of one-on-one interviews for the cast and crew. I didn’t have much of a chance to interview the cast members of the Phantom of the Opera. I was, however, thankful to get a brief chat with Claire Lyon (Christine) and Anthony Downing (Raoul).
Anthony said that the first few shows have been “amazing” thus far and that’s the name of the game for him. Claire agreed with and added that the audience in Manila was “incredible”. For her, the response of the audience “has been insane and enthusiastic” for the first few shows of the Phantom of the Opera. Before I would get a chance to ask more questions, the cast members were sadly whisked away to do other media interviews.
Guy Simpson
However, we weren’t empty handed in terms of getting a one-on-one interview from someone in the Phantom of the Opera production. I got a chance to interview the Phantom of the Opera’s Musical Supervisor, Guy Simpson.
How has been your stay here in manila while being part of the Phantom of the Opera production?
It’s been a great experience here in Manila. My first visit here was in 1988, I was working with Miss Saigon back then [for the auditions]. I’ve been to Manila many, many times already but it’s still a great experience.
Can you tell us your experience in working with the orchestra this time around for the Asian tour of the Phantom of the Opera?
It’s really good. We chose these guys and we auditioned them all and that’s just stage one, really. You can choose good musicians, but making them play as an orchestra is an entirely different thing all together. To make them play music together and to ‘breathe together’ is a very intricate thing. We also try to make them enjoy playing together because that’s one factor for playing music. Because when they enjoy doing music, they play better.
In a nutshell, how would you view the progress of the orchestra you have for this musical?
Overall, they’ve been great and that includes the local talents we tapped here in Manila. We have made great progress in the last two weeks and as I said, they have been enjoying this experience and it has helped in playing wonderful music for this production.
I thanked Mr. Simpson for the brief yet insightful one-on-one interview about the orchestra for the Phantom of the Opera. Before parting ways, we got a nice photo-op with Guy Simpson. Special thanks to my friend and former classmate Adrian for taking the picture.
I also had the opportunity to have a chat with Tim MacFarlane of The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific Pty Ltd. to discuss about The Phantom of the Opera’s tour in the Asian region.
Tim McFarlane
How do you go about selecting the venues for the Asian tour of the Phantom of the Opera?
We’ve been developing Asian markets for Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals for the past 20 years and we’ve always wanted to add more venues, new cities, new countries. Manila has been on the wish list for some time but it’s taken until the last couple of years to get a theater here. For me, this [the CCP] is the only theater that can take the size of “Phantom”.
How has been the experience in creating/producing the Phantom of the Opera in Manila and in other Asian countries for this tour?
It’s been a good challenge in creating markets for these countries. You have to be aware of certain local customs and practices. You market the show a bit differently. So we get the same challenges [in marketing ‘Phantom’ and other productions], but only in a different setting. We’ve been aware for some time that the Philippines is really starting to grow economically and have been interested in musical. A few years ago we [Really Useful Company] introduced Cats’ to the Manila audience and it exposed them to musicals and now we are giving the granddaddy of them all in the Phantom of the Opera.
On a personal standpoint, how has your experience in Manila been so far?
My experience is quite brief, actually. I have to leave Manila in a couple of days so I won’t be here while the season is on-going [at the CCP]. However I can’t help but be impressed by the commitment of the local talent in this production of ‘Phantom’. In my opinion, it bodes well for the Philippines in future musical productions.
Mr. Tim and myself had to part ways for the one-on-one interviews were about to wrap up. All in all, my experience with the Phantom of the Opera Press Preview was impressive. The excerpts given to the media were top-notch, the cast and crew of the production were friendly and open to anyone who interviewed them (regardless of the limited time), and they gave away some nice freebies to us. On the personal side, it was nice to meet some familiar faces in the press preview (shout outs to Migs M and Adrian P). Also, special thanks to Ate Joanne Tan for inviting me to cover this press preview.
So, When in Manila and you are a fan of musicals, makes sure you watch The Phantom of the Opera at the Cultural Center of the Philippines! This is a musical production that you shouldn’t miss out on.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Now showing from August 25 to September 30, 2012
Venue: Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo/CCP Main Theater, Cultural Center of the Philippines
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/POTOManila
CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES
Address: CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Manila
Contact No.: 832 1125 to 39
TICKET WORLD
Website: www.ticketworld.com.ph
