The Phantom of the Opera

The outstanding success of this popular quazi-opera is a triumph for Director/Producer, Madeleine Johns and her shrewd selection of creative partners: Musical Director, Sherree Drummond; Choreographer, Courtney Underhill; Technical Director, Bruce Noy; and Costume Manager, Barbara Bloodworth. They did this show proud.

Of course, we in the auditorium see only the finished product, and the company gave us a cornucopia of talent to appreciate, a magical Christmas gift! The leads, Robert Shearer (Phantom), Anna Stephens (Christine) and Nathan Kneen (Raoul), transfixed the audience with magnificent balanced vocal performances in solos, duets and trios. Both Shearer and Kneed have established professional reputations already but Anna Stephens, especially, transported us with a performance way beyond her age.

The beautiful, rich sound achieved by the company in full voice, especially in “Masquerade”, was worthy of any opera house. At this stage I must also congratulate the orchestra under Sherree Drummond for their part in the success of this piece.

Performers in supporting roles rose to the standard set by the principals. Barbara Williams – she was born to play Mme Giry – has a stage presence three times her size; Meg Kiddle (Carlotta, a terrifying diva in decline) and Anthony Beadle (Ubaldo, another big talent on the way out) played with conviction. The men who played owners or managers of the opera performed commendably; in fact there wasn’t a weak link in this show.

The set, complex and busy with pyrotechnics (all beautifully executed) tested the crew and professional facilities of this venue. Attention to the sumptuous period costumes, make up, hair styles were similarly laudable. The season looks like booking out – great, this show deserves full houses.

Jay McKee

Images: Robert Shearer and Anna Stephens; The cast in Masquerade; Barbara Williams as Madame Giry, Taylor Yost as Meg Giry, Jonathan Johns as Monsieur Firmin, Peter Wright as Monsieur Andre, Antony Beadle as Piangi and Meg Kiddle as Carlotta; Robert Shearer as The Phantom and Anna Stephens as Christine.