New ABBA Musical Not A Sequel to 'Mamma Mia!'

The long-awaited follow-up to the successful 'Mamma Mia!' stage musical utilizing the songs of ABBA will not be a sequel and will involve a new creative team including director Matthew Warchus. Titled "While The Music Still Goes On," producers announced that twenty-two ABBA songs will be featured and will include the group's hit songs, album cuts, B-sides and songs released as extras on compilations or special editions. The confirmed numbers include:

"I Am The City"
"Another Town, Another Train"
"Two For the Price of One"
"People Need Love"
"Angeleyes"
"Love Isn't Easy (But It Sure Ain't Hard Enough)"
"Hasta Mañana"
"I've Been Waiting For You"
"Lovelight"
"Summer Night City"
"Why Did It Have To Be Me"
"Cassandra"
"Fernando"
"Dream World"
"You Owe Me One"
"Intermezzo No. 1" (titled "Intermezzo" for the musical)
"Arrival" (new lyrics)
"From A Twinkling Star To A Passing Angel"
"My Love, My Life"
"Move On"
"Dance (While The Music Still Goes On)"
"The Way Old Friends Do"

In contrast to 'Mamma Mia!' the book of the new musical by American playwright Perry Lawrence ("Old Schoolyard") will not be a comedy but a bittersweet romance between two people who thought that true love for each of them was long lost. They find themselves neighbors when she moves into an apartment in the same brownstone where he resides. They learn they share a common fondness for the music of a '70s group called the Hep Singers (a reference to the Hep Stars and Hootenanny Singers to which Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, respectively, belonged early in their careers) upon which they build a friendship. Of course love finds a way into their lives. They share a secret that ultimately will test their love beyond this world. The action is set to take place in New York City.

One of the supporting characters, a female neighbor of the couple, will be an immigrant from Mexico.  Four other characters will include friends and co-workers of the couple. The male lead, named Andrew, is a travel writer and the female lead, named Cassandra, a nurse.

None of the songs used for the 'Mamma Mia!' stage production and movie will be included. Producers announced they want this production utilizing some of ABBA's most profound and dramatic songs to be considered an absolute separate entity. Like 'Mamma Mia', the words to the songs will remain largely unchanged to retain the integrity of Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson's lyrics.

From the press release: "Arrival" is an instrumental number from the ABBA album of the same name. Bjorn has penned lyrics for "Arrival" specifically for this musical. Portions of "Arrival" will also be used as an overture. It should be noted that Sarah Brightman recorded a version of "Arrival" with different lyrics on her "Winter Symphony" album also penned by Bjorn and was initially planned for use in "Mamma Mia!". The creative team is proud of the new version that will be a part of "While The Music Still Goes On."

Where 'Mamma Mia!' had a female lead character, this show will be from the male lead character's perspective. Casting will be announced in the coming months. Alexander Hanson (Broadway revival "A Little Night Music" and London Revival "The Sound of Music") is rumored to be linked to the production.

Tentative plans are for an out-of-town tryout in Manchester before arriving in the West End. Producers suggested that they had hoped for a U.S. West Coast premiere before heading to Broadway and then to London. But due to the current economics of Broadway, they felt the best way to nurture the production was to start in the U.K. Visit musicstillgoeson.com for news and updates for the upcoming musical.

(Important Note: If you've read this post so far, you probably know by now all of this is wishful thinking for some April first fun. None of this information is real and none of the persons mentioned is associated with a new musical based on the songs of ABBA. However I really believe there is another musical waiting in the numerous ABBA songs that were not included in 'Mamma Mia!'. Many of their other hit songs and album cuts have the weight to be part of a dramatic story in lieu of a comedy. I've been a longtime fan of the music of ABBA that every one of their CDs is downloaded to my iPhone and iPad. This post, though all in fun, is a hint of what may be possible.)

Photos Released of the New 'Phantom' UK Tour

John Owen-Jones (Phantom) and Katie Hall (Christine) in
the Phantom's lair.
(photos credit: Michael Le Poer Trench and Robin Savage)

Producer Cameraon Mackintosh has kept a tight leash on revealing any performance videos or even production photos of the new re-imaginged UK Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'The Phantom of the Opera'. Finally some photos of the new production have been released. The revelation is the costumes by Maria Bjornson are not changed.  It is the new set design by Mick Potter that will likely be the subject of argument for those who have seen the original.

So far these photos reveal that there are steps (pictured above) that lead down to the Phantom's lair amid floating candles. For the "Masquerade" sequence (pictured below) the grand steps of the opera house are gone. Instead the playing space is opened up to be an ornate circular ballroom with a large oval mirror above the revelers.

Visit thephantomoftheoperatour.com for tour dates, tickets and more information. Tour dates in the UK are scheduled into 2013. It's unlikely any announcement will be made anytime soon regarding if the tour will play London or international cities.

The company during "Masquerade"

Angela M. Caesar (Carlotta) in the "Hannibal" scenes.

John Owen-Jones (Phantom) and Katie Hall (Christine)

John Owen-Jones (Phantom)

Closing!!! 'Backbeat' Musical in London

Backbeat Marquee at the Duke of York's Theatre.
(image:British Beatles Fan Club)

Another musical adapted from a feature film fails. 'Backbeat' was an unusual choice. It may have had the Beatles as a subject matter but unfortunately the story takes place before they were famous and is actually about the bass guitarist who was not part of what were to become the fab four. Also the 1994 movie "Backbeat" is not a well known title compared to other recent film to stage adaptations. (It's U.S. box office gross was $2.4 million.)

"Backbeat" the film is a dramatization of the Hamburg, Germany phase of the Beatles in the search of luck while playing the seedy clubs of the city. The band at the time was made of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Pete Best, George Harrison and Stuart Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe falls in love with a German girl and he has to make a choice between a new life in Germany and rock and roll. The film spawned a Soundtrack CD and is available on DVD. (Sutcliffe died in April 1962 of a brain hemorrhage just before the Beatles made their first recordings that would launch their fame.)

The musical 'Backbeat' opened at the Duke of York's Theatre in London's West End on October 10, 2011 (previews from September 24) and will close on February 18, 2012. The production directed by David Leveaux starred Nick Blood as Sutcliffe, Andrew Knott as Lennon, Daniel Healy as McCartney, William Payne as Harrison and Oliver Bennett as Best. Ruta Gedmintas plays Astrid Kircherr, the name of the girl that Sutcliffe falls for. The musical had its world premiere in 2010 at Glasgow's Citizens Theatre. Producers hope to transfer the show to Canada in summer 2012.

From Sam Marlowe's Time Out review: "This is no tacky jukebox musical. Instead, it's a striking absorbing play with music, written by Ian Softley and Stephen Jeffreys and based on Softley's 1994 film of the same name. It does, of course, exploit the mythology of the Beatlres; but it does so imaginatively, with neither wide-eyed adulation nor slavish adherence to historical fact. The results are dark, thrilling and startlingly moving."

Nick Blood as Stuart Sutcliffe

Oliver Bennett as Pete Best

Daniel Healy as Paul McCartney

Andrew Knott as John Lennon

Will Payne as George Harrison

(all production photos: Nobby Clark)

'The Mousetrap': 60 Years in London's West End

Agatha Christie's 'The Mousetrap' at St. Martin's Theatre, London
(image: Snapperz/flickr)

In the past couple of years, the West End musicals 'Les Miserables' and 'The Phantom of the Opera' celebrated 25 years on the London stage and still counting. But there is one show that has run 35 years longer. Running on the West End since November 25, 1952 Agatha Christie's 'The Mousetraip' is currently celebrating 60 years and the show's producers are the marking the diamond jubilee with events through the year.

Seen by 10 million people and running over 23,000 performance, the play is currently presented at St. Martin's Theatre. Marked by its brilliantly intricate plot where murder lurks around every corner, the whodunit has become of the greatest pieces of theatrical history. It's title as long run champion in London was first attained on 1958.

During the record-breaking run, almost 300 actors and actresses have appeared in the play, 86 miles of shirts have been ironed and over 320 tons of ice cream sold at the show. The set had to be replaced in 2000 but it still has the same design as the original and the task completed over a weekend without the loss of a single performance.

Performance on 'The Mousetrap' set.

The show has seen the Cold War, Queen Elizabeth II's coronation and survived 12 British Prime Ministers. For the year-long 60th year celebration, the show producers announced it will begin its first ever tour of the UK in September 2012.

Another interesting fact about 'The Mousetrap': Agatha Christie gave the rights to her grandson Matthew Prichard as a birthday present and she stipulated that only one version could be performed outside of the West End annually.

Visit the-mousetrap.co.uk for more information.

Re-imagined 'The Phantom of the Opera' to Embark on UK Tour in 2012

One of the most anticipated productions in 2012 will not play Broadway or London. Instead a brand new tour of 'The Phantom of the Opera' will play various dates in the United Kingdom. As 'Les Miserables' was rejuvenated for a world tour in 2010 and now touring the U.S., the new 'Phantom' tour will feature new set designs and direction.

John Owen-Jones

In press statement, producer Cameron Mackintosh said: After 25 phenomenal years and a glorious celebration of the show's success at the Royal Albert Hall, I'm delighted to announce that a spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary musical will open its National Tour next March in Plymouth. With an exciting new design and staging, retaining Maria Bjronson's amazing costumes, be the first to surrender to the music of the night and fall in love with the Phantom in the his new guise all over again.

Earl Carpenter

John Owen-Jones and Earl Carpenter will share the role of the 'The Phantom" and Katie Hall will play Christine. Laurence Connor, director of the 25th anniversary celebration, will stage the tour with new choreography by Scott Ambler. Lighting design is by Paule Constable and sound design by Mick Potter. The production is overseen by Matthew Bourne and Mackintosh.

'The Phantom of the Opera' New UK Tour Dates. John Owen-Jones stars as The Phantom until Sep 29, 2012; Earl Carpenter assume the role on October 1, 2012:

Theatre Royal Plymouth, Feb 27-Mar 3, 2012 

Manchester Palace Theatre, Apr 4-May 19, 2012 

Bristol Hippodrome, May 22-Jun 30, 2012 

Dublin Grand Canal Theatre, Jul 4-Aug 4, 2012

Leeds Grand Theatre, Aug 8-Sep 15, 2012 

Edinburgh Playhouse, Sep 19-Oct 20, 2012 

Milton Keyes Theatre, Oct 24-Nov 24, 2012

Cardiff Wales Millenium Centre, Dec 4, 2012-Jan 12, 2013

Southampton Mayflower, Jan 22-Feb 16, 2013

Further dates to be announced.

Visit thephantomoftheoperatour.com for more information. Play the teaser trailer below.

The Phantom of the Opera: 25th Anniversary Box Set

'The Phantom of the Opera' 25th Anniversary Celebration box set.

Covers of the book 'The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary';
Box-set insert including text titled 'The Phantom Phenomenon';
Reproduction of 1986 Opening Night Program.
(photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

First of all this set does not contain a CD or DVD/Blu-ray recording of the 25th Anniversary Celebration at Royal Albert Hall that was beamed live to movie theaters across the country last month. With that said, this limited edition collection will delight fans of the 'The Phantom of the Opera' and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.

'Phantom of the Opera: 25th Anniversary Box Set' which retails for $150 includes:

• 'The Phantom of the Opera' 2-CD Original Cast Recording in gatefold sleeves and new cover artwork.
• 'Love Never Dies' 2-CD Original Recording in gatefold sleeves and new cover artwork.
• 'The Phantom Phenomenon' 60-minute DVD with archive footage.
• Reproduction of the original opening night 60-page program of 'The Phantom of the Opera'.
• 'The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Edition' 160-page book by Michael Heatley.
• Exclusive Medallion mounted on numbered mini-certificate.
• Exclusive web access to download one of the eight international cast recordings of the musical.
• Handsome box packaging and gatefold 'The Phantom Phenomenon' insert.

Five disc collection and limited-edition medallion.

Pages from 'The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Edition' book:
The auditorium of the Las Vegas production.

Those who already own the recordings of 'The Phantom of the Opera' and 'Love Never Dies' may not see the need to purchase this set. However this limited edition box set appears geared toward the true collector of the show. The book by Heatley offers an in-depth history of the musical from London to Broadway to feature film and its worldwide popularity. It serves as an extension of the first book about the musical by George Perry published in 1988.

The reproduction of the London opening night program is like stepping back into time as one flips through the pages and sees the photos of all the major players 25 years ago along their bios. Even reproduced is the advertising (e.g. an ad heralding the 2nd Sell Out Year of 'Les Miserables' at the Palace Theatre).

The true collector's item in the set is the silver medallion (enclosed in a case). On one side is the famous logo mask and the show's title. On the flip side is 25 years at center surrounded by the wording World Premiere 9th October 1986.

Pages from 'The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Edition' book:
Posters advertising the London production of the years.

Pages from 'The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Edition' book:
Chapter featuring the story of 'Love Never Dies'.

The archival footage on the DVD is a true bonus. They are short but informative and look back on show 25 years ago. The footage includes two interviews with Lloyd Webber, one made before the opening of the 'Phantom' and the second during the London run and also features Sarah Brightman. The third is a news report of the Phantom phenomenon after the Broadway opening.

The remaining contents on the DVD have been available elsewhere including the 'Phantom' songs performed at Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday celebration from 1998 which includes the Phantom Overture, "The Phantom of the Opera" (Antonio Banderas & Brightman), "All I Ask of You" (Michael Ball & Brightman), "Music of the Night" (Brightman). Also previously released but included here are the music videos of the singles versions of the title track (Steve Harley & Brightman), "All I Ask of You" (Cliff Richard & Brightman), "Music of the Night" (Michael Crawford & Brightman) and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again (Brightman).

Some will balk at the box set's price tag. But if the CDs and the music videos are available elsewhere the remaining items documents the history of the musical not to mention of having one of the keepsake coins. Click HERE to view the product details on Amazon.com.

Note: If you are Mac owner, the file to download the international recording may not open. Since I already own these recordings it was not a huge issue but a disappointment. If anyone knows how to open the file on a Mac, please share your recommendation.

Pages from the reproduction of the 1986 opening night program at
Her Majesty's Theatre.

Box-set insert opens to reveal text titled 'The Phantom Phenomenon'.

Exclusive access to download one of the eight international cast recordings.

Five discs: 'The Phantom of the Opera' 2CD, 'Love Never Dies' 2CD
and 'The Phantom Phenomenon' DVD.

Exclusive medallion

Medallion numbered certificate.

A Book Review: A Memoir by Patti Lupone

It's a wonder I did not pick up this memoir by Broadway legend Patti Lupone when it was first released last year. I happen to see it on the shelf at my local bookstore. I picked it up and began reading one of the chapters about her experience in the musical 'Sunset Boulevard'. I could not put it down and purchased the book.

Lupone is very candid and pulls no punches when she describes how she feels about the good and bad people and events in her life. The book is neatly organized by chapters in reference to plays and musicals in which she has performed. I basically read the chapters out of sequence as I wanted to know her story regarding the events that lead to her firing from the Broadway production of 'Sunset' in the role of Norma Desmond which she created in the London premiere of the musical:

"Andrew Lloyd Webber continued to be an unmitigated coward. He didn't have the balls to tell me in person; when the news broke, he sent flowers but no apology. Then he sent two of the most delusional letters I've ever read and which I actually tossed in the garbage, then pulled out and saved. I wanted to reprint them here, but though the letters were sent to me, incredibly, I don't have the legal right to reproduce them without approval from Andrew Lloyd Webber. So without reprinting them, I can still give you the gist."

She reveals the difficult choices made in her life professionally and personally. One such decision was her choice not to repeat the role of Fantine in the musical 'Les Miserables' on Broadway for which she won an Olivier Award in London:

"I'm in the perfect theatrical experience. I'm in a perfect musical with a perfect company in a perfect environment. I can't play this in New York. It would never be the same. This is my company and my experience. All a stage actor has is his or her performance and the memory of it. I didn't want anything to touch that memory."

In the chapter about her role in the ill-fated musical 'The Baker's Wife', Lupone fully reveals the drama behind the scenes on the difficult pre-Broadway tour. Up to then, Lupone often made fun of the experience in concerts before she sang the show's most memorable number, "Meadowlark.":

"...we were still rehearsing by day and performing at night. Bad word of mouth spreads faster than good -- our audiences were tiny and getting smaller by the day. The decline in the audiences matched the decline in the show itself -- it was a long way down from playing the sold-out Dorothy Chandler pavilion in Los Angeles. Finally at a matinee at the Kennedy Center in D.C., we set a house record for the least-attended show in the history of the place: We had 25 people in a 2,700-seat house. These people didn't' have the good sense to get into one row. All we saw was a sea of red."

The book is informative to those wanting to learn about the making of musicals but from the unique perspective of Lupone. Every one of her plays and musicals are covered: "Evita," the 1984 revival of "Oliver", the 2008 revival of "Gypsy" and more. The book is filled with many photographs from her career.

If you are lucky enough to find Lupone's 1993 two-disc recording "Live!", the songs from her career on stage and her introductions to the songs make this CD a perfect companion to the book.

The hardcover copy is no longer in print. Currently available in paperback and audio editions. A Kindle download version is also available.

Story Behind the Song: "Music of the Night" from 'The Phantom of the Opera' by Andrew Lloyd Webber

The slip cover for a vinyl 7" release featuring "Music of the Night"

Musical composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is reputed to keep a musical bank. He composes tunes and deposits them until they can be used in a musical. Sometimes a tune is withdrawn from the bank only to be returned for use later.

“Music of the Night” from 'The Phantom of the Opera' was first called “Married Man” and composed by Lloyd Webber for Sarah Brightman. This version which premiered in 1983 at his Sydmonton summer arts festival had lyrics by Trevor Nunn. The song was intended as an opening number for the musical ‘Aspects of Love’ for the character of Giulietta, an Italian sculptress who in the novella by David Garnett is the mistress of the character named George and later the wife of his nephew Alex.

The 1986 London Poster

Though “Married Man” was recorded, it could not be released because Lloyd Webber’s lawyers felt that a song with that title sung by Brightman while he was still married to his first wife and with whom he was in the midst of difficult divorce negotiations could not be made public. This was even though Brightman sang it later in a concert at London’s Barbican Centre. So the song went into the drawer as it awaited rebirth along with the whole of ‘Aspects of Love’.

(Lloyd Webber was married to Sarah Hugill from 1972-1983 and then to Brightman in 1984 until their divorce in 1990.)

The melody resurfaced when Lloyd Webber was creating ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ and the song was no longer for Brightman who would play Christine in the musical but given to the Phantom. However Brightman has recorded “Music of the Night” and performs the number in her concerts.

As sung by the Phantom, “Music of the Night” had much different lyrics when it was performed at Sydmonton by Colm Wilkinson in 1985. Gone were the words of Nunn and replaced by those of Richard Stilgoe and Charles Hart who further revised the Sydmonton version into the present one heard in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ when it finally premiered at London’s Her Majesty’s Theatre in 1986 and sung by Michael Crawford. ‘Aspects of Love’ opened in 1989 at London’s Prince of Wales Theatre with no traces of the “Married Man” song or lyrics.

The extreme success of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ has lead to accusations of plagiarism. The estate of Puccini accused Lloyd Webber of plagiarizing several musical motifs from “La Fanciulla Del West” (The Girl of the Golden West) for “Music of the Night”. The lawsuit was settled out of the court and the terms never made public. Other reports compare the song to “Come to Me, Bend To Me” from the musical ‘Brigadoon’ by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe.

Below are YouTube videos of “Married Man” performed by Sarah Brightman and the Sydmonton version of “Music of the Night” sung by Colm Wilkinson. The lyrics are re-printed below for comparison purposes. In the final video, an interview shows Lloyd Webber talking about the versions of the song.



"Married Man" (music Andrew Lloyd Webber; lyrics Trevor Nunn)
Dreams of summer, secret smiles between us
Of us meeting, you thought they had seen us.
We thus tried explaining, then it started raining,
Then you said I love you girl and then
I'm much too old to fall in love again.

Time was golden, I felt I was falling,
Waiting, smiling, hoping you'd be calling.
Loving eyes upon me, showing me you love me,
I woke up beside you once and said
I don't think I could fall in love again.

Married man you were happy and you let me know
As you run up the stairs to reach my door.
But I cried every time you had to go.
Should have said, don't come here anymore.

Winter, silence, shadows on the ceiling.
You said, you're too young to know that feeling.
Then your voice seemed colder,
then you said I told her.
I said well she's older but then
She's young enough to fall in love again.

Though I tried to forget her as you live with me.
But you cried when she met you to return.
You said no that's all over but you lied.
Married man, are you too old to learn?
Spring can be a very cruel season,
Help me, help me, don't ask for a reason.

Please you must believe me, I want you to leave me.
One day if you're free, but not till then.
I'm young enough to fall in love again.
I'm young enough to fall in love again.



"Music of the Night" Sydmonton Version (lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe)
Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation,
Darkness multiplies imagination.
Slowly all the senses, abandon their defenses,
Helpless to resist the notes I write,
For I compose the music of the night.

Close your eyes, for your eyes will only tell the truth,
And the truth isn't what you want to see.
In the dark it is easy to pretend,
That the truth is what it ought to be.

Take your time, break in, filling us completely.
First love, slaughter, adverse words of greeting.
As the night is nearing, the touch, the taste and hearing,
Gradually replace redundant sight,
Preparing for the music of the night.

Close your eyes, let the touch of it, abuse the soul;
Let its timbre crescendo in the flame.
Can you tell, is it pleasure? Is it pain?
From now on, you'll never be the same.

Go now, gently; my music, though you fear it,
Let me show you, only stay and hear it.
Measure after measure, an instrument of pleasure.
A treasure-house, of passion and delight.
Come join me in the music of the night.

All along, my soul can not be right,
Help me make the music of the night.

Souvenir Brochure: 'The Phantom of the Opera' at the Royal Albert Hall In Celebration of 25 Years

Some of the poster art advertising the London production of 'The Phantom
of the Opera' over 25 years.

Souvenir brochure cover

One of the must have keepsakes from the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'The Phantom of the Opera' live at Royal Albert Hall is the souvenir brochure made for this special event.

The glossy 72-page softcover brochure measures 13.5x9.5" and features much more than biographies of the creators and 25th anniversary celebration cast. Among the highlights include a loving tribute to 'Phantom' set and costume Maria Bjornson with photos of her costume sketches and a feature about adapting her designs for the Royal Albert Hall. A list reveals the thirteen actors who have played the most performances as the Phantom. Topping the list are Howard McGillin (New York) and Peter Karrie (London, UK Tour, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore) who each has played over 2,500 performances as of October 1, 2011.

Also included is a complete list of the original cast recordings and a sample of the cover art of these CDs. Another section features the facades of theatres worldwide where 'Phantom' has played and a full-list of 145 cities across 27 counties that have hosted the show

The brochure serves as a companion piece to the out-of-print book 'The Complete Phantom of the Opera' by George Perry which documented the making of the original London production.

This very special souvenir is available from the Really Useful website for £10 (US$16) or London's Dress Circle musical theatre shop for £12 (US$19).

Click HERE to read a review of the cinema presentation of the this special event. This was not a 25th anniversary concert but a fully staged presentation complete with sets, costumes and choreography featuring a cast of over 200 actors and musicians.

Main cast: Ramin Karimloo (The Phantom), Sierra Boggess (Christine),
Hadley Fraser (Raoul), Keira Duffy (Carlotta), Barry James (Monsieur Firmin),
Gareth Snook (Monsier Andres), Liz Roberson (Madame Giry) and Wynne Evans
 (Ubaldo). Due to the illness of Keira Duffy, Wendy Ferguson played the role of
Carlotta at each of the three celebration performances.

The 'Phantom' on various brochures, playbills and merchandise.

Feature about the design for the 25th anniversary shows.

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".