It's been such a long wait, but i'm not complaining, the experience is worthwhile, it's almost magical, and i'm still awestruck!...i believe that feeling will never go away...
Knowing that POTO will never make it to KL not unless there's a major facelift of IB and when fellow malaysians have more sense of Theatre appreciation, i took the opportunity to head down to our lovely neighbour's to witness this world-renowned production, this is as close as it gets in the region!
The Theatre@theBay in Esplanade, Singapore is truly an architecture's dream toy, the interior is designed in such a way that everyone feels like being a member of high society, the foyer is luxuriously woodpaneled, every inch being varnished so meticulously that it gleams in triumph, the whole place was glowing!
Opera aficionados can be seen dressing up to the occasion, and it was not uncalled for, it was Mother's day afterall, and what better way to celebrate it if not to bring the mothers to one of the most celebrated opera in the world...
POTO is the brainchild of highly acclaimed Andrew Lloyd Webber, my obsession with it started when a friend of mine lent me the OST of Phantom along with Andrew's other works, i was hooked! and then the movie version came along some couple of years back and ive seen it at least three times already!
Suffice to say that i've been anticipating the musical for some time now, and finally i can cross that out from my things-to-do-before-you-die list, and i do believe that should be in EVERYONE's list...It is like a dream comes true for me to listen to 'all i ask of you', my favourite song in POTO, be sung live on stage...though personally i still prefer Sarah Brightman and Cliff Richard's version.
The musical started off with the auction, it was so surreal watching it for the first time in theatre, i knew for a fact that i'm a POTO fan when i got goosebumps upon hearing the tunes of 'masquerade' from the monkey musical box, the hall was in total silence save for the distinct tune from the box, everyone was holding their breath in anticipation! and when the Chandelier was erected to the top, i teared up...it was such a touching moment...and we all know the famous pipe organ opening of POTO, it can get to you, i promise...
Everything was spectacular, and i'll say it again, EVERYTHING! I wish i have extra pairs of ears and eyes just to take everything in...so many things are going on simultaneously, the sets and props are phenomenal, it makes you wonder of the things that people can do, the replicas of the Paris Opera House and the Phantom's lair, the special effects, the curtains coming together beautifully, the scenes transition, the lightings, the casts, the costumes, i simply love everything!
The Orchestra is top-notch, i couldnt find flaws with any instruments at all, as it is, my ears were expanded to catch different the rhythms and tunes from different instruments, it was orchestrated perfectly, the music was flawless, end of story...
In a way im glad i wasnt seating too close to the stage, if i had, i would be paying too much attention to the expressions of the casts, and by doing so, you will miss out what the other casts are doing, hence you dont get the BIG picture, so what does it matter if i cant tell if the casts are goodlooking or not, or to witness the distorted face of the phantom, i was there for the music and renditions, and for the set on stage...My favorite setting being the river in the dungeon, when the gondola slides across the stage in a foggy ambience, enchanted by the candles, it was simply breathtaking...
My only regret is when the Chandelier crashes to the ground, it wasnt as dramatic as anticipated...for some reason i was actually picturing the chandelier comes crashing down at gravity speed and smashes to pieces on the ground, and they would have to replace the chandelier every single time, how silly of me... :p
All in all, it was a very inspiring trip, and i think i've got the calling of being a cast in theatre! imagine the applause and the standing ovation at the end of every show, so glorious! I'll give it to the Phantom (Brad Little) and Christine Daae (Rebecca Knowles) for their vocals, truly remarkable, despite the unmistakable exhaustion after having such a long run since March, and not to mention the matinee performance earlier in the afternoon...
Everyone should see the show at least once in their lifetime, i know i'll be dating POTO many times in years to come...
Bravo!
