MovieChat Forums > The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall (2011) Discussion > Let us discuss HADLEY!

Let us discuss HADLEY!

posted 13 years ago by FletcherofLocksley
13 replies | jump to latest

I LOVED HIM!

I walked into the theater thinking that I would be blown away by Ramin (I loved him in the Les Mis concert, and I thought that he sounded amazing on the LND soundtrack), but I came out of that theater OBSESSED with Hadley Fraser's Raoul. I honestly cannot stop thinking about it. The portrayal was so different than all of the Raoul's I have heard/seen in bootlegs.

I never realized how little Raoul sings on his own until now. WHY DOESN'T HE HAVE MORE SOLOS?!

What did you think of Hadley? I know that some people thought his Raoul was too LND, but I think his actions are justified. To him, the Phantom doesn't exist until the masquerade. Up until then, he is just something that is haunting Christine and sends junk mail. I think that Hadley did a good job conveying that. Once he KNEW that the Phantom was a real threat, he softened up.

Geronimo

Geronimo

[–] nillindeiel 13 years ago

Like I said on the other message board, I liked Hadley as Raoul and his portrayal redeemed the character a bit in my eyes since I've never really liked him (though I will always be a Phantom girl and, for me, Ramin most definitely stole the show).

I went into it already knowing (from having read spoilers from people that were there) that his performance leaned towards a Raoul with LND in mind, and so I wasn't too shocked with actually seeing it, and I think it worked (but of course, I love LND, so I can see how the Love Should Die crowd wouldn't be happy with his portrayal).

He's a talented performer, and I hear he's an amazing Javert in Les Mis. It'll be interesting to see where his career takes him

Nillindeiel

"I need a horse!" ~Thor
"We don't have horses, just dogs, cats, birds...." ~Pet Shop Clerk
"Then give me one of those large enough to ride." ~Thor

[–] FletcherofLocksley 13 years ago

I honestly think that the 25th performance was used as a bridge between the two shows. I think that LND was the main reason that Ramin and Sierra were cast. Now, we have two cast recordings with them.

I'm not saying that is a bad thing!

Geronimo

[–] MisterKorman 10 years ago

Hadley's Javert is incredible. He might be my favorite (aside from Earle Carpenter and Quast).

[–] luke_bannon 13 years ago

His performance didn't do anything for me- I mean vocally he was fine, but I guess I was just annoyed at the more LND/jerk Raoul interpretation.

Nil carborundum illegtimi

[–] davidwoodall 13 years ago

Not having seen LDN (and having no great interest in it, frankly) I'm not in a position to compare. However, I've never been a fan of Raoul but Fraser's portrayal - despite the initial arrogance - went a long way to redeeming the character in my eyes.

[–] mattimeo8 13 years ago

I'm just glad he made Raoul seem INTERESTING ;)

NO DAY BUT TODAY

Someday I'm gonna make a movie then laugh watching people over-analyse it

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Seymour-Pats 13 years ago

I thought he was really great. I thought he and the actress playing Christine had chemistry but simply didn't have enough interaction.

Those are the things I've never liked about the musical though: (1) how much stage time the phantom gets at the expense of characters like Raol (who is awesome in the book) and (2) how the phantom is portrayed as sort of a romantic character and Raol is always a bit of a chud. In the book, Raol is sweet and more of a romantic protagonist. And the phantom isn't such a romantic character; he's sympathetic because of what he's gone through, but it's not the same kind of sympathy.

I guess I don't understand the love for the phantom. I mean, the actor playing him is generally superb, and that helps. But people talk about the end like the phantom does something great - but all he does is refrain from doing something awful. It's not like Carton in A Tale of Two Cities.

[–] BenignPillows 13 years ago

Hmm.. anyone care to explain what it is about LND that should make them change Raoul? And what is the change, exactly? He's more arrogant and assertive or..?

_______
"The best kind of fairytale is one where you believe the people" -Irvin Kershner

[–] LadyN1 12 years ago

In LND which is set 10 years later Raoul is an alcoholic and a gambler who has basically sqaundered his family inheritance. He is a lot more aggressive with everyone and he agrees to a bet with the Phantom that if Christine sings in Coney Island where the story takes place, he'll leave her for good if she doesn't they'll go away with their son (who's actually the Phantom's but he doesn't know that).

I think what many including myself think is what the 25th did was created references to that early on so you can see after watching the 25th how it could be possible for Raoul to become an alcoholic if you see him as a bit hot tempered and sharp with people from the get go and the relationship with Christine and the Phantom which sometimes construed as one sided on the Phantom's part is clearly depicted that they both are in love with each other.

beauty freedom love truth

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] axstarxlitxsky 11 years ago

I am a huge fan of Hadley. I think he's incredibly talented and I was lucky enough to see him as Javert in Les Mis three times and he blew me away every time.

I think it's really interesting how people are going on about how Raoul is played too LND-like, but I personally think that it's more a case of Hadley played him as the book describes him. Hadley always reads the books of things that he's been in so that he can give his characters more depth and so he knows how his character would be feeling at that point.

In the book, Raoul is arrogant, after all, he's a rich young man in an era when decandence is the norm is high society. In some ways, I think this version was maybe a little too loveable (or maybe it's just because it was Hadley!) because I was always routing for Raoul over the Phantom.

Just my thoughts :)

[–] stukate 10 years ago

I thought Hadley was the BEST Raoul ever. He was protective, fiery, lovable, and hot. His voice was amazing, and he made me understand Raoul for the first time. Hadley's Raoul wasn't weak and useless; he was fiery, strong and I was DELIGHTED with his love for Christine and it didn't make me doubt him in anyway. I couldn't agree with you more :)