The Phantom of the Opera Review

Phantom has been apart of my life for as long as I can remember. My mum who was so enthralled with the British shows that stormed the US in the 1980's, sang us to sleep with the Phantom Libretto, Think of Me and All I Ask of You being two of her favourite songs.

I, myself have so many childhood memories of acting out the Phantom score in my bedroom or living room, where ever I deemed my stage to be at the time, trying in earnest to hit those high notes, something my mezzo soprano voice never quite accomplished. And somewhere in my parents house there is still a broken snow globe that plays All I Ask of You. A prized possession despite it scars.

Sadly, I never had gotten the chance before now to see Phantom in person, for a myriad of reasons and it was with great excitement I booked tickets for the UK/Ireland tour of 2020 originally. But covid had other plans and theatre sadly caught the brunt of it. After all that had happened, it seemed only fitting then that the first show we would attend post pandemic would be Andrew Lloyd Weber's The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre and it certainly was an unforgettable night.

We were lucky enough to attend on a Friday evening and catch the three leads we would have seen on the 2020 tour. I was lucky enough to take a few voice lessons from the star of the show, Miss Holly-Anne Hull and I was so delighted to get the chance to see her perform in person. She is outstanding!

As the chandelier buzzed into life and took its place at the top of the theatre, I sobbed tears of joy as the overture cascaded through every inch of Her Majesty's. I was back in the one place I absolutely adore, and while I was secretly wishing with all my heart to be up on stage, it was such a treat to be seated in the audience witnessing theatre magic in all it's glory. The cast was beyond phenomenal, from the very smallest to largest part. They were pitch perfect and their chemistry was electric. Holly-Anne Hull's Christine was a delight, her tone and voice so crystal clear. Rhys Whitfield was the perfect Raoul, romantic and chivalrous to the core. And last but not least, the Phantom himself, Killian Donnelly. His quiet nuance of tortured soul and murderous maniac was incredible, bouncing from one to the other and back again in mere seconds. Really the entire cast is a credit to the talent that abounds across Ireland and the UK.

With that in mind I beg you to support theatre where ever it is that you are, be it local or professional. These incredible artists deserve so much of a boost after the last 18 months and they will give you the same in return tenfold. And if you are lucky enough to go to London to witness this incredible show, do. I promise you'll be humming the score for days.