18th Thought: The Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall

Yet another day of having a change of course for the week! Another Friday of the term, December 4, 2015, arrived. That means another day of Film Showing in our EEP class!I thought we would be watching the second movie of Parasyte Live Action Movie. At the moment we stepped in the room, a vintage ambiance welcomed my senses. As usual, I hurried to get a seat from any of the first two rows and called Hanna over to seat near me. As the first scene unfolded which was an auction in the old times, Hanna became ecstatic exclaiming a set of "Oh my gosh!" for as many as I could remember. After some minutes, the title faded in: 

"The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall"

I remembered The Phantom of the Opera film being aired in Studio 23 back then. Since that day, I got curious of what it is about. That December 4, 2015 filled me in with what I have been asking myself about. I was overwhelmed by the musical play not only because it was my second time to witness a musical but also because it was powerful. It's powerful in terms of the cast's effective acting and singing skills. Add the beauty of each actors and actresses, the set, the costumes and the music. It's just so splendid!

Christine, The Phantom and Raoul's actors for this version of The Phantom of the Opera (POTO) are my favorite. I don't know but I have this spark of interest on people with good voice and good looks. I admire Christine's actress Sierra Boggess. She is beautiful and has an angelic voice. Ramin Karimloo a.k.a. The Phantom gave off a very mysterious aura for me in the play because his real face without make-up wasn't revealed. When Winna showed me his photo without make-up, I went "OH. MY. GAHD." He's very very VERY handsome! I feel like I have a crush on him already (lol). Raoul or Hadley Fraser outside POTO is very charming and again, has good voice. I love the three of them!

I won't spoil so much of the play. I'd like you, my dear readers, to see it for yourselves.  :)
After the play, they had a curtain call where the cast and the teams behind the performance will present themselves and give their sincerest thanks. For this musical, the maker of the first musical Phantom of the Opera Andrew Lloyd Webber went onstage to give his thank-you speech.

Also, on the curtain call, the original lead stars Michael Crawford (as Phantom) and Sarah Brightman (as Christine) went onstage. Miss Sarah had a song performance of the theme song The Phantom of the Opera along with Anthony Warlow, John Owen-Jones, Colm Wilkinson and Peter Jöback (from left to right). And Ramin Karimloo joined in until the Phantoms finished singing Music of the Night.

At the end of the special performance, everyone sang to mark the end of the curtain call. They all bowed and there were fireworks(?) and confetti to congratulate the cast and production teams.

I remembered my close friend in high school who has passion for being a singer in musical plays. I think she and I should watch this one day together and sing together whenever we want to. This musical play is marvelous and amazing. Really amazing! I don't know how to say it exactly but I just love it.