Digital Scenery of 'The Phantom of the Opera' at Royal Albert Hall in Celebration of 25 Years

Rendering of the "Masquerade" design.

From 'The Woman in White' and then 'Love Never Dies,' the use of video scenery in both of these Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals was prominent. Rather than just downsizing the set design, digital scenery is being used to complete the scenery and is often used to great effect that would be too expensive or impossible to do with traditional stage design techniques. In 'The Phantom of the Opera' at Royal Albert Hall in Celebration of 25 Years, the use of digital scenery helps to fill the stage at the huge venue but remain faithful to the original and much loved designs by Maria Bjornson.

For "The Woman in White" many criticized designer William Dudley's complete use of digital scenery on curved screens which was applied to dizzying effect and caused some dizziness among audience members. The use of digital scenery and projection designed by Jon Driscoll for the 'Phantom' sequel 'Love Never Dies' was used to enhance rather than dominate the production design by Bob Crowley.

Driscoll was handed the duties of again designing the projections and digital scenery for 'The Phantom' 25th anniversary celebration. An article on stage-directions.com reports that Driscoll had to work to within the sets of two designers, Bjornson and Matt Kinley. Kinley adapted the designs by Bjornson and augmented them for Royal Albert Hall. In addition costumes and accessories had to be found to dress the more than 130 member cast and ensemble. So it would have been improper to bill the show as 'The Phantom of the Opera' 25th Anniversary Concert.

The digital scenery was split into two sections. Above the raised orchestra platform was a huge gauze screen onto which the projections were employed. Below the platform were nine panels filled with with 75 LED screens. The five inter panels moved into a series of different positions for cast and scenery to be moved on and off stage. These two video elements were united to depict the elegant swooshing of the curtains across both surfaces.

In this post are set design renderings revealing the use of the projection and video screens. Click HERE to read more about Driscoll's work on 'The Phantom' celebration. 

Rendering of the the top of the Paris opera house for "All I Ask of You"
and "Music of the Night (reprise)".

Rendering of the "Hannibal" opera for Act 1.

Design for the Phantom's lair.

The design for the ballet during the "Il Muto" opera.

Rendering of the opening scene of the "Il Muto" opera in Act 1.

Design for the appearance of the Phantom as Red Death during "Masquerade".

Act 2 of Encore Screening of 'The Phantom of the Opera' at Royal Albert Hall in Celebration of 25 Years

This post continues with images from the second act of 'The Phantom of the Opera' 25th anniversary celebration performance at Royal Albert Hall. Note that the show is not billed as 'The Phantom of the Opera' 25th Anniversary Concert. It a fully staged presentation complete with sets and costumes.

Click HERE for a review of this special event. 
See the previous post or click HERE or to view first act production photos. (photos: Alasatir Muir/Getty Images & NBC/Universal; post updated with additional photos)

Raoul and Chrisine at the "Masquerade" ball.

(photos: Alasatir Muir/Getty Images & NBC/Universal)

The "Masquerade" ball.

Wynne Evans (Ubaldo), Wendy Ferguson (Carlotta) and Gareth Snook (Monsieur Andre).

The Phantom appears at the "Masquerade" ball.

Hadley Fraser (Raoul) and Madame Giry (Liz Robertson)=

Wendy Ferguson, Barry James (Monsier Firmin) and Sierra Boggess.

At right: Hadley Fraser and Sierra Boggess.

Hadley Fraser and Sierra Boggess

Wynne Evans and Wendy Ferguson

Sierra Boggess

At left: Hadley Fraser

Wendy Ferguson

Wynne Evans

Sierra Boggess

Ramin Karimloo (The Phantom)

Liz Robertson, Daisy Maywood (Meg Giry) and Hadley Fraser.

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess

Ramin Karimloo and Hadley Fraser

Hadley Fraser and Sierra Boggess

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess

Andrew Lloyd Webber

Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford (right, the original Christine and
Phantom) and Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo. (photo: David M. Benett/Getty Images)

Seven Phantoms unmasked at the after party: (left to right) Anthony
Warlow, Ramin Karimloo, Michael Crawford, Colm Wilkinson, John
Owen-Jones and Peter Joback. (photo: David M. Benett/Getty Images)

Act 1 of Encore Screening of 'The Phantom of the Opera' at Royal Albert Hall in Celebration of 25 Years

The chandelier at the 'Phantom' in Celebration of 25 Years is unveiled
underneath a cloth with marked as "item 666". In lieu of show curtain
sliding video screens below the orchestra bridge and a larger video
screen above was also used as backdrops during the performance.
(photos: Alasatir Muir/Getty Images & NBC/Universal)

It was inevitable that I would attend the last screening of the cinema presentation of 'The Phantom of the Opera' at Royal Albert Hall in Celebration of 25 Years after having already seen it the week before. After viewing other productions filmed plays and musicals which were then shown on television or released on DVD, seeing these presentations in a movie theatre gives the show more justice than seeing it on the small screen. If you cannot see it live in the theatre then this is the next best thing.

Note that the show is not billed as 'The Phantom of the Opera' 25th Anniversary Concert unlike the anniversary event for 'Les Miserables' last year. It a fully staged presentation complete with sets and costumes.

Rather than go on, I recommend viewing the show when it is finally released on video. It will likely be presented on public television as other filmed presentations of musicals and plays have gone that route. In meantime here are more production shots from the 25th anniversary celebration performance of 'Phantom'.

Click HERE for more photos and a review of this special production.
These photos are from Act 1 of 'The Phantom of the Opera' at Royal Albert Hall. See the next post or click HERE for Act 2 production photos. (photos: Alasatir Muir/Getty Images & NBC/Universal; post has been updated with additional photographs)

Earl Carpenter plays the auctioneer of Lot 666.

Hadley Fraser playing the aged Raoul at the auction.

The "Hannibal" opera rehearsal.

Wendy Ferguson (Carlotta)

Wynne Evans (Ubaldo)

Christine takes her bow after "Think of Me".

The Phantom and Christine descend to his underground lair.

Sierra Boggess (Christine)

Sierra Boggess (Chrisine) and Ramin Karimloo (The Phantom)

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess in the Phantom's lair.

Ramin Karimloo stars as The Phantom.

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess

The Phantom sends his "Notes" to the opera house managers.

Barry James (Monsier Firmin)

The "Il Muto" opera

Wendy Ferguson (right) plays Carlotta.

The ballet in the "Il Muto" opera.

Hadley Fraser stars as Raoul.

Hadley Fraser and Sierra Boggess.

Ramin Karimloo