PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

The Phantom of the Opera musical is an adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel revolving around the musical genius Erik (aka The Phantom) and his obsession with Christine Daaé.

The musical opens to a scene in 1919 with Raoul de Chagny at an auction for theatre memorabilia where he encounters Lot 666, a broken chandelier from the Paris Opéra House.

In a flashback to 1881, while rehearsing for Hannibal, the singers and dancers of the Paris Opéra House continue to experience events that suggest The Phantom of the Opera is up to his mysterious magical shenanigans again. When the prima donna Carlotta refuses to work under these conditions, the ballet mistress Madame Giry recommends Christine to replace her; this is when Raoul recognizes his childhood friend in the spotlight.

Her “Angel of Music”, thanks to Christine’s coaxing, reveals himself in a mirror as The Phantom and she is inevitably drawn to him thus initiating the strong, unique relationship between the two.

While rehearsing for Il Muto, The Phantom curses Carlotta’s voice, again pushing Christine to perform the lead role. He also hangs Joseph Bouquet, the stagehand who has been telling tales about The Phantom, from a Punjab lasso. When The Phantom overhears a conversation between Raoul and Christine amidst the chaos he caused, he vows revenge on his beloved and causes the chandelier to crash onto the stage.

After half a year in silence, The Phantom reappears with a demand for Christine (now engaged to Raoul) to be the protagonist in his new opera Don Juan Triumphant. Knowing that he will be in attendance on opening night, Raoul vows to rid the Paris Opéra of The Phantom.

Despite the terrific things he has done, Christine kisses The Phantom, showing him compassion and kindness. This ultimately results in him letting Raoul free from the Punjab lasso, and the couple leave The Phantom’s lair without harm.