The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall (2011)

Don't listen to the negative reviews

It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

I have not yet gotten the chance to see this show live but I have always loved the music. I was excited when I heard the movie was being made but found it to be pretty disappointing. My biggest complaint with the film is the casting decisions. The phantom was terrible at singing and Christine was pretty weak too. That was that until I was on Netflix recently and came across this gem. I found myself getting teary eyed ten minutes in mostly as a reaction to how grand and powerfully this is executed. Every performer is kicking some serious ass and the stage production is mind- blowing. The sound it great as well as the editing and lighting. And if that wasn't enough there's a special 25th anniversary event at the end that is sure to be any Phantom of the Opera's fans wet dream. Watch this video!

The Phantom of the Opera is one of my personal favourites, and for me easily Andrew Lloyd Webber's best musical(though I do have a soft spot for Joseph). Anybody who loves The Phantom of the Opera will fall in love with this Royal Albert Hall performance, and while I didn't hate the 2004 film as much as others did this performance is a huge improvement. The costumes and sets are sumptuous and exquisite to look at. The camera work allows you to admire the production design and does so unobtrusively, often it has a very cinematic look which I loved without feeling overblown. The sound is resonant and clear, giving the feeling that you are actually there at the ROH watching it live. The orchestra give the score the powerful sweep it should have, a great thing in itself as it is one of those musicals where every song works. The chorus enunciate clearly and have a vibrant and carefully-blended sound. The stage direction is hugely compelling all the way, you are thrilled, terrified and moved to tears throughout and you do empathise with the characters and are fully engaged in Phantom and Christine's love-hate relationship. Nothing feels overdone or stillborn, you do miss the falling chandelier set-piece but at the same time you can understand considering the venue why it wasn't done. The singing is fantastic, embracing the somewhat exposed- from my experience having performed at ROH with various choruses at 3 Christmas concerts, one concert as a guest choir and 2 prom performances- acoustic.Ramin Karimloo is an incredibly powerful Phantom, imposing in stature, somewhat scary, somewhat seductive and very affecting, and he has a gorgeous voice, one of the most beautiful of anybody in the role in my opinion. His make-up is genuinely hideous, and Music of the Night is really heartfelt. Sierra Boggess' Christine is alluring, charming and her stage presence is as moving as Karimloo's. Her soprano voice is bright and lyrical with no breathy sound(despite some of her breathing having a gasping quality), and I personally prefer her high notes to Sarah Brightman's finding them much clearer. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again had me weeping buckets. Raoul is I agree more abrasive than usual, but Hadley Fraser still sings beautifully- especially in All I Ask of You- and doesn't forget to act. All the supporting roles are filled solidly, but I want to really credit Kiera Duffy, she is every bit the Prima-Donna diva Carlotta ought to be but displays also a sympathetic and vulnerable side that I have rarely if ever seen from past Carlottas, most of which are basically caricatures. We are also given the bonus of having the likes of Sarah Brightman, John Owen Jones, Anthony Warlow and Colm Wilkinson performing, Michael Crawford doesn't sing but it was still a pleasure to see him. I was less taken by Peter Joback, it is a rather a lightweight sound and sounds rather nasal, a sound that is not very easy to warm to. But he isn't enough to bring down the performance in any way because everything else is so good. The appearance also of Andrew Lloyd Webber himself was also very touching. In conclusion, amazing, if you love The Phantom of the Opera this is everything you could possibly want and more.10/10 Bethany Cox

This isn't a bad adaptation, I agree with the other review that I read that the sets were spectacular! However, Christine and The Phantom were somewhat lacking for me. Both of them seemed to be trying too hard, and that just really chaps at me. I don't like to see people trying to prove themselves, it should just be something natural. Plus the makeup on The Phantom was too distracting, seeing his lips hangout from underneath the mask pulled my attention way from the story too much. I kept on rechecking to see if I really was seeing his lips or what right up until the final time his mask was pulled off. When they pulled out the other men who had played The Phantom, both my wife and I commented at how much better singers all of them were than the guy that played him in this rendition. We both also think that the Christine and Phantom from the 2004 movie were both more natural sounding and looking, I just cannot say enough how important it is to me that the actor/actress appear natural in their role. Perhaps the theater is the wrong place to expect that, but then again so many of the other actors in this rendition gave such natural performances, even the two opera house owners (which was not impressed upon me from the recording featuring the original cast). I know I've spent so much space talking about what I didn't like, but I think it deserves stronger detailing this time. The production truly was otherwise first rate! I even enjoyed the little speech from Andrew Lloyd Webber

I have loved "The Phantom of the Opera" for many years and listen to the soundtrack album with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman almost religiously. I began watching this with great worry, remembering how underwhelmed and disappointed I felt with the 2004 film adaptation. Imagine my delight when I discovered this even better than the original cast!Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Bogges are both incredible actors and singers and are absolute magic together, as well as individually. Ramin has the passion and soul the Phantom needs and Sierra has the voice of an angel and makes feel every note she sings.For years, I have had to put up with people telling me that Joel Schumacher's utterly redundant 2004 adaptation was actually brilliant; or that they cannot afford to see the real show. Well, the 25th anniversary concert exposes the 2004 adaptation for the diabolical mess that it is, with it's far superior singing, acting and set. And the fact that it is available on DVD means the 2004 film can shoved into the deep hole it belongs in. Simply perfect, there is no excuse to miss this. Watch it and let it's music caress your soul.