The Phantom of The Opera is Back in Singapore (Now Playing at the Marina Bay Sands ’til 1st Sept 2013)

 

 

 

Brad Little (The Phantom of the Opera) being  a veteran actor has done this for almost more than 2,200 times in Broadway, Asia and in a US Tour. Little is also known to have great acting skills. When asked what has his favourite scene in the musical he answered:

 

“The very last scene. I always feel that it’s the first time I’m acting on it. I have to have a different approach to it every night I perform”. 

 

 

And true enough, the riveting depth in his acting was apparent, full of intensity and complex in every scene. Brad Little being a venerated hero and a loathsome villain , he has vividly performed  the right fit of emotions; a character that is in full portrayal. I admire Brad Little’s capacity to throw the competition (with regards to who is the best phantom) out of the water; proving that each Phantom has something different to offer to the part. The Phantom of the Opera’s romantic tie to Christine is one of the highlights of the play. All he ever needed was to be loved to be good.  How an unrequited love, deep and desperate would change the whole story is what it makes it a worth watch. If you’d ask me, the last few scenes were always a straight bullet shot to the heart, if you’re a certified PHAN you might be able to relate here. When The Phantom was struggling and Christine was trying to appease him, telling him that the actual deformity does not lie on his disfigured face but in his barren soul. When he was left alone and has transformed into nothingness, there I realized how The Phantom of The Opera has made an indelible impression on every audience’s mind.

 

 

 

 

The entire musical play is gorgeous, well-performed by an awesome cast; one would really find it hard not to swoon over The Phantom himself. If you can see beyond that mask, good for you.  I particularly like the way The Phantom prowls on stage, eerie yet charming. He owns the stage, after all he is The Phantom. Seeing the actual Phantom of the Opera in full flesh and I was floored. When he was unmasked / sans prosthetics (and during the media call interview) I was still in awe.  Splendid voice and a tasty personality, Brad Little has that enormous stage presence. The Phantom’s rival for Christine’s affection, Raoul (Anthony Downing) proves that there is something more beyond that pretty face.  I really did not see him relying too much on that knight in shining armour character (which is good in my opinion).   I like the way he act with extreme petulance whenever Christine brings up The Phantom. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The swirling and chanting costumes will drown you away, same with the magnificent voices from each member of the cast. The Music of the Night is still as seductive as it is; love and obsession makes the music flow extravagantly. Raoul’s rendition of All I ask of You is sensitively well acted and sang upon; audience was in melancholy whenever this is being played by the orchestra. The set is as stunning as the costumes; the backdrops are intricately detailed giving that illusion with depth and clarity in every scene.  Everything is just lush, even the music is stellar to begin with. Just a like a decently made Martini, when all of these are swallowed…ahh… just pure no nonsense, nostalgic experience. Even that chandelier scene has always been highly anticipated; if you are a non-aficionado of the musical theater be sure to watch out for the chandelier to end all chandeliers. It’s so aesthetically rich that it may convert you be a Phantom of the Opera lover in the end. The play runs long but fret not, pacing is rapid. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do I have a favourite scene or act?   The seducing scene of The Music of the Night, wherein The Phantom lures Christine down to his lair beneath the Opera House. In All your Fantasies is romantically spine-chilling; then followed by The Phantom putting Christine into some kind of trance while serenading her with The Music of The Night. If you’d take a closer look at The Phantom (Brad Little), just the way he “handle” Christine…such a dark-hued yet sweet embrace. Brad Little’s style of letting his hands have a mind of its own, fantastic.  It draws a certain kind of magic.  John Owen-Jones  and Ramin Karimloo are both Phantoms whom I dream to watch and perform next! I have only been watching them online and they are impeccable.