Featuring a few watch-out-fors, some notes (but not too many) on what to expect, and just enough backstory to keep the O.G. happy.
We all know The Phantom of the Opera has been wowing audiences for more than 35 years, but one of the best things about being a Phantom fan is, no matter how many times you’ve listened to the music or seen a performance yourself, there’s always someone new to introduce. So if you’re planning a Phantom trip with a first-timer, hand this list over to them and provide them with a little illumination…
Prologue
The lights, the costumes, the plush cushiony fold-up chairs – visiting the theatre is an experience like no other. If you’re not a regular theatre-goer you might be wondering what to expect, but if you’re off to see Phantom we can pretty much guarantee one thing: the experience will be spectacular. (But please, no photos or videos: that’s the kind of thing that really riles up the Opera Ghost.)
So what should you know before you go? Here’s our handy guide.
The characters
And who’s the Opera Ghost, you ask? That one’s easy – his name’s in the title of the show. This is how The Phantom of the Paris Opera House signs off his notes – O.G, see?
Without giving too much away, here’s a bit more about the other characters you’ll meet. We’ve structured this list in order of appearance, but we will just note that it’s hard to pinpoint the exact first appearance of a ghost.
- Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny, patron of the Paris Opera House, where the show is set. Also previously a childhood friend of Christine’s.
- Monster Reyer, chief répétiteur (director) of the Paris Opera.
- Carlotta Giudicelli, the Paris Opera House’s Prima Donna (aka leading lady).
- Ubaldo Piangi, leading tenor of the Paris Opera ,and Carlotta’s other half.
- Monsieurs Firmin and André, new managers of the Paris Opera House.
- Madame Giry, Ballet Mistress. She looks after the corps de ballet, and also seems to know more about the Phantom than most of her colleagues.
- Meg Giry, Madame Giry’s daughter, member of the corps de ballet and a friend of Christine’s.
- Christine Daaé, initially a chorus girl and later the star of the show, she’s the daughter of a prominent violinist and, as you probably know, the Phantom’s protégè.
- The Phantom, a composer who lives (or lurks, depending on your point of view) under the Opera House. Little else is known about his background, but he sees himself as the true patron of the theatre and likes to send notes to his ‘staff' like the O.G. he is.
- Joseph Buquet, Chief of the Flies, aka the person who makes sure the scenery goes where it’s needed. Like Madame Giry, he seems to know more about the Phantom than he should – but he’s rather less discreet.
The props
It’s not just the characters who make Phantom, there are a fair few objects that also make their presence felt in the show. And we won’t call them inanimate objects, because most of them are pretty animated. Here are a few of our favourites:
- The monkey music box, a special piece of Paris Opera House memorabilia that almost opens the show (“Lot 665… a papier-mâché musical box, in the shape of a barrel-organ. Attached, the figure of a monkey in Persian robes playing the cymbals.”) Watch out for that little monkey, he likes to pop up at key moments.
- Christine’s mirror. What’s a Parisian dressing room without a beautiful ornate mirror, after all?
- The mask. You know the one, it’s on all the posters. Or is it? Now we mention it, doesn’t the one The Phantom wears look a little different..?
- The boat. Yes, this Opera House contains a boat. No, we can’t say too much more about it right now.
- The chandelier. You really should look out for the chandelier.
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The costumes
As with many of the sets and props, most of Phantom’s gorgeous and glorious costumes were designed by the late Theatre Designer Maria Björnson. Beautiful fabrics, intricate details and colours galore, if you love a good costume there are plenty to look out for here.
- The Hannibal costumes. When we first meet the Paris Opera House’s regular cast – including Carlotta, Piangi, Christine and Meg – they’re rehearsing for the opera Hannibal. And when they all come on in their dazzling green-and-red costumes, edged with gold and dripping in jewels, it’s a sign of the gorgeousness to come.
- The Phantom’s cape. Obviously, the Phantom wears a cape. But it’s not just any cape. It’s sleek, it’s jewel-covered, it swishes around perfectly and we have to say it goes very well with the mask.
- The Masquerade costumes. Act Two begins with a medley of costume creativity, as the song ‘Masquerade’ sees every character take to the stage, dressed up to the nines. There are almost too many beautiful things to look out for here, but see if you can spot a certain monkey box-inspired character.
- Christine’s blue ‘Wishing’ dress and cape. All of Christine’s costumes are amazing, but this one – which also appears in Act Two – is a favourite. It’s a blue that somehow echoes all around a darkened theatre, simpler than other costumes but all the more breathtaking for it.
The ending
Just kidding, we’re not going to share the ending with you here. That’s the sort of thing that would properly rile up the Opera Ghost. You’ll just have to go and watch it.
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