Hopson is a perfect Christine Daaé – she shines and her voice holds the night with a strength and sweetness needed. The leading trio – Robson, Hopson and Callum Francis as Raoul – all debuted in Phantom roles. Lighting designer Nick Schlieper deserves a deep nod also. The power and energy seemingly sent audiences soaring. And when amplified across the 30-strong ensemble, it is eye candy country. It is the kind of big filter needed for an outdoor stage. The iconic all-chorus, all-cast, Masquerade is another highpoint, with a colourful show of Tylesova’s costumes – highly feathered, bejewelled, wigged, and verging on amusing. The greater wow for this outdoor production, however, is reserved for footlight flames that flare up on cue as the Phantom takes Christine on a gondola ride. Masquerade in Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, The Phantom of the Opera, 2022. (My guess there was some time spent on the stair-master as well as the rehearsal studios ahead of this production).Ī hint on the level of opulence here over 10km of gold foil has been used on this set! The question on everyone’s mind, however, is how ‘the chandelier scene’ has been handled? Without giving anything away, two words offer a hint: a crane and a spark (both of which are more tempered than bang).
An enormous sweeping staircase guides the audience eye upwards, while being anchored to the left by baroque theatre boxes. For an opera that is notoriously ‘indoors’ it holds its own in the outdoor setting. Tylesova is responsible for both set and costumes. Having collaborated with director Simon Phillips on a number of productions, they seemed to be seamlessly in sync in their vision for this new Phantom. The first impressions, however, are reserved for Gabriela Tylesova’s staging. He has a great connection with Georgina Hopson as Christine Daaé, as their on-stage energy infectiously ripples out to the audience. Joshua Robson performs The Phantom – a role that cemented Anthony Warlow as an international star some 14-years back – but brings his own nuance to the role. It delivers in doses as a spectacular, with performances to match. Undoubtedly, the new production is a hit.
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