I used to have mixed reviews of this productions, due to my many theories. I saw Phantom of the Opera twice while I was here in London, and I loved it. The plot and everything, including the music, i have been in love with since high school, so I am slightly biased. My heart will always belong to the original. When I heard a friend from school say that there is a sequel to Phantom of the Opera I was very skeptical, I mean how can they make a sequel to a masterpiece without it being a flop! Over the summer before I came to London I did my research and listened to the songs, which were not bad, but I was scared of the plot flow. The original musical was based off of a classic novel by Gaston Leroux, published around 1911! The sequel was only constructed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and several other people in 1990, almost a century later, and it does not match up to the original novel, due to different authors. It reminded me of when a sequel to Gone with the Wind was made, thank god that is not a play or film.
I then went to see the production, where i fell in love with Ramin Karimloo's strong tenor voice (Phantom). Sierra Boggess also has a talented soprano voice. When I saw it in September, I believed that the singing was amazing, I had chills the whole performance, and the set design and mise en scene of the whole production was perfect, except for the main fault: the plot. The plot was very weak compared to the original. The phantom is too much of a softie! He was supposed to be a strong, mysterious character, now weakened by the sequel. The reviews on many of the west end show websites also agreed with my opinion, yet die-hard fans would kill me right now, saying how I am not a true fan and that I am crazy for not loving it. THe original was strong and had many good qualities. I was not disappointed, but I was looking for more, and I knew what was going to happen in the end of the performance.
I did love the different parallels made between both musicals, such as the symbolism between the masks and the love triangle. Everything is reversed in the sequel, which made the production more refreshing. I then continued to see more West-End shows and site-see in London, then I received an email saying how Andrew Lloyd Webber changed the plot of the musical, and how the songs were different, which upset me since then I would have to go see it again! I mean, who would change it! I only planned on seeing that play once, then i decided I might as well see it again with the original cast while it changed. Before I got tickets I read the reviews of the new production, and critics loved the changes made! The Original Phantom character was back, as manipulative as ever to his love interest, Christine Daae. The songs were a lot better, and seemed more like an Andrew Lloyd Webber production. He did a better job than the first try, but I would to after this 2 billion pound investment. The new production is a lot better, and I recommend it to people that love the original. I still love the Phantom of the Opera, but Love Never Dies is my close second favorite! I highly recommend it! Especially since I met Ramin and he is a nice guy! He is not like the dangerous character he portrays. It is the perfect musical for the holiday season as well, which is what I read! so head down to the Adelphi and buy your ticket to the newly remastered Love Never Dies musical! You'll fall in love with it too! read more