MovieChat Forums > The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall (2011) Discussion > Brightman + Phantoms Awkward Ending

Brightman + Phantoms Awkward Ending

posted 13 years ago by pelegirl5284
26 replies | jump to latest

I'm sorry...but the whole "lets put all the great Phantoms together" (MINUS Crawford) just felt awkward.

I mean, it was fun to see Brightman sing...even though she was determined to slow the song way down, lol. But It was obvious that they had no time to rehearse it, and it just felt really awkward, lol. Sometimes it seemed as though they didn't always know who was supposed to sing what.

Truthfully, I am really surprised they didn't at least bring Crawford to sing with her at the very end of the piece. I would have rather just seen them together anyway---it felt very thrown together. I find it interesting how Brightman sang a whole song, and Crawford never even said a word...

Anyhow, I enjoyed the tribute at the end, but the Phantom part felt messy.

I have to say, being too young to see Crawford play the role will always be the great tragedy of my life, but seeing Ramin play the role in the West End was unbelievable. Such a fine actor.

...now if we could all just pretend that "Love Never Dies" never existed, and all might be right with the world :o)

Sugar and Cornflakes,
Alexis H.

[–] losty815 13 years ago

Haha yeah I'm the world's biggest Anthony Warlow fan, and I almost fell off my chair when he walked on stage at the end, but yes, I found it a little cringey too.
The love-fest at the end of the Les Mis 25th anniversary concert (with the Bring Him Home medley) worked well for me.
The end of the Phantom 25th didn't quite do it for me. As you say, a little awkward.

[–] justkit 13 years ago

When Andrew Lloyd Webber slithered onto the stage at the end and exploded in such a spectacular geyser of slime, I actually suffered an attack of the bends and emergency divers had to forcibly remove my toes from my ear holes!

In comparison, the embarrassing, messy encores were a relief. It was funny when no one on the stage could decide whether they were singing, "I" "We" or "You" throughout the "Point of No Return". Classic!

I agree that the "love-fest" at the end of Les Miz 25 was smooth, well-rehearsed, and moving. Not a single cringe moment. But then, Les Miz is a far classier show, and even in a concert version it kicks Phantom's ass.

Ramin, though, is a god! Best Phantom I've seen.

[–] losty815 13 years ago

Wow, justkit, you really don't like Andrew Lloyd Webber! But presumably you like his work?

[–] justkit 13 years ago

lol - actually I really do like him. And I like his work (some of it). But liking him and his work doesn't stop me from cringing whenever he speaks (or makes any sort of personal appearance!)

He is possibly the most awkward and embarrassing person I've ever seen, but I have an enormous amount of respect for his contribution to musical theatre. I just don't feel the need to revere him as some sort of demigod, like some people seem to.

[–] ravmeltt 12 years ago

I just don't feel the need to revere him as some sort of demigod, like some people seem to.

Just saw this and while I don't worship any man, but God, Andrew comes as close to any I would,if I could. He's a genius. I would overlook any flaws or awkwardness, because anybody that can put on a show like that, and create music like that, deserves a lot of respect. I cried for practically all of the show, and especially at the last half hour with the speeches and the past singers, including Brightman, singing, I thought was a great nod of respect to all the past artistes. If people seem to "worship" Webber, I can understand, because the man is really talented.

This is my signature and I'm sticking to it. lol

[–] Mentrilo 13 years ago

I think Michael Crawford was working on another show at the time and perhaps didn't want to/wasn't allowed to sing (ALW said something about him rushing over from the palladium - another theatre venue in london).

What I thought was more awkward was when the creative team from the original production came out and the man in the middle seemed to be trying to throw the woman around by her arm.

God is a vindictive bastard.... He's always picking on me for being an Atheist!

[–] pelegirl5284 13 years ago

Honestly, when the creative team came out, I thought the choreographer was drunk. LOL. She was all over the place.

Sugar and Cornflakes,
Alexis H.

[–] Mentrilo 13 years ago

I thought they were all a little drunk. It looked like they were trying to urge her forward to say something or just get closer to the edge of the stage and she didn't want to.

God is a vindictive bastard.... He's always picking on me for being an Atheist!

[–] springhill69 13 years ago

Yes its all on the DVD. And yes she looked a little drunk. She didn't want to go when everyone else stepped back. A bit sloppy all round. Wish they had sung more songs as a finale. Apart from that a V good DVD.

[–] FletcherofLocksley 13 years ago

Is it true that this part isn't included on the DVD/CD?

Geronimo

[–] pelegirl5284 13 years ago

I don't know. Truth be told, I downloaded it. I just can't imagine being able to dl it, and not have all of it on disc. Especially since it all has to do with the whole "25th Anniversary" part.

Sugar and Cornflakes,
Alexis H.

[–] nillindeiel 13 years ago

Is it true that this part isn't included on the DVD/CD?

From what people have said on facebook. The stuff with Sarah is *NOT* on the CD of the 25th, but *IS* on the DVD/BluRay

Not sure why the CD wasn't able to have her (it could have something to do with whatever recording contract she currently has - it may restrict what audio recordings she can appear on, but not necessarily affect any DVD performances). Not that I'm complaining though since I too didn't much care for her performance.

Nillindeiel

"You were made to be ruled. In the end...it will be every man for himself." ~Loki (Avengers Teaser Trailer)

[–] FletcherofLocksley 13 years ago

So...should I bother buying the CD? I can just as easily buy the DVD, and rip the audio.

Stinks that I'll have to wait until February, though... =/

Geronimo

[–] Mentrilo 13 years ago

All the stuff at the end is on the bd/dvd.

On amazon uk I saw a user comment for the CD that suggested they cut out her performance of 'phantom of the opera' but had the rest, and that the soundtrack is pretty much just an audio of the live show, including long stretches of applause.

http://tinyurl.com/cwgenkr (I'm referring to the review by Cb Browning)

God is a vindictive bastard.... He's always picking on me for being an Atheist!

[–] davidwoodall 13 years ago

Sarah Brightman's performance is included in the DVD.

[–] Mentrilo 13 years ago

Yes, sorry, I meant her performance of the title track was cut from the CD, I've edited my post to clarify.

God is a vindictive bastard.... He's always picking on me for being an Atheist!

[–] bobzmcishl 13 years ago

I heard that Brightman wasn't on the DVD. The whole event including Brightman was included on the PBS showing if you can somehow catch that on your DVR. The original Phantoms coming back was a real highlight except for the current Phantom was had a somewhat weak voice in comparison to the others. The cast for the 25th celebration was tremendous, much better than the cast I saw in San Francisco and the set decoration, costomes, and orchestra were over the top. What an incredible way to honor this show.

[–] nillindeiel 13 years ago

I heard that Brightman wasn't on the DVD.

She's on the DVD/BluRay (I know I've watched both several times)

It's only on the CD that she's not on. Like I said earlier, it most likely has something to do with her current recording contract - it could limit/restrict what audio CD's she can appear on - but doesn't necessarily restrict DVD/visual performances she can appear on.

Nillindeiel

"You were made to be ruled. In the end...it will be every man for himself." ~Loki (Avengers Teaser Trailer)

"I'm a god. Recalibrate your statistics" ~Tom Hiddleston online chat with Empire (regarding 7 to 1/Avengers vs. Loki being unfair)

"How desperate are you that you call on such lost creatures to defend you?" ~ Loki (Avengers Trailer #2)

[–] Seymour-Pats 13 years ago

It did seem a little awkward, but I thought the way ALW introduced Brightman was so sweet. And I thought two of the phantoms were really great - the bald guy and the guy next to him with the poofy hair.

[–] Lilibetp 13 years ago

Anthony Warlow is the bald guy and John Owen Jones has the poofy hair.

[–] Seymour-Pats 13 years ago

Thanks! I thought they were amazing! I've actually since JOJ on stage but he looked different in that performance (maybe it was because the camera was WAY closer than I've ever been).

[–] Generalle_della_Rovere 13 years ago

Agreed. I was actually thinking the same thing, as compared to the end of Les Mis 25th (the four Valjeans), the Phantom failed miserably. There wasn't any harmony whatsoever, everyone is trying to overpower another.

You said it, man. Nobody *beep* with the Jesus.

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] msdramateacher 12 years ago

I really really liked the ending. I didn't find it awkward at all. The two guys on the end were phenomenal!! The bald guy and the guy next to him. I think I'm in love again. The black headed guy was good and I love Colm Wilkinson. But the other two phantoms blew me away.

The whole production was good. And I loved seeing Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. She hasn't aged at all. I have seen them both live but not in Phantom. I did however see Steve Barton as the phantom the first time I saw it on broadway. I'm heartbroken he has passed.

Phantom and Les Miz are my two passions in life. I'm thrilled they finally filmed a stage version.

[–] Spiny_Norman 12 years ago

'Sarah Brightman. She hasn't aged at all' - You're joking surely?
Having seen the Blu-ray on a BIG TV, I thought 'What HAVE you done to your face woman?'
Crawford looked natural and hardly aged in comparison to Brightman, who's face (in my opinion) looked as if was going to burst with all that botox!
And that facelift has changed the shape of her eyes massively!

"Everybody in the WORLD, is bent"

[–] Shippojak44 12 years ago

She looked really good as "blind Mag" in Repo the Genetic Opera. But yeah she was worse for wear here.