My Phantom Journey of 2012 (Part 4)

Leeds

I waited in sheer anticipation for The Phantom of the Opera to come to my home city in August!!! I've managed to see the tour production so far in Plymouth, Manchester and Bristol.  The evening came when Mum and I went to the second night of its opening in Leeds. I have not look back since followed by a total of 10 visits to the show during its run at The Grand Theatre.

On my 2nd Visit to the show in Leeds

Me with David Phipps-Davies, an actor with many talents : )!

Nice to see Leeds Grand Theatre's Stage Door busy!

During an evacuation one evening - yes, there was some drama!

It was a pleasure to link up with fellow Phantom Phans including Vivienne, Pearl, Naomi and Jeanette.  I even had an opportunity to do a backstage tour of the phantom sets, props and costumes during the Heritage Open Day in the first week in September where The Grand Theatre opened its doors to the public.  We even saw the principals' dressing rooms and we met the tour manager, Christy, who was happy to answer any questions about the running of the show and the show in general.  We were able to touch some of the costumes and I was amazed how heavy they are!  We also saw information on how the phantom's make up is applied.  I felt I was honoured to go backstage during the run of my favourite musical in my favourite theatre! Unfortunately photography was prohibited so there is none to share!

As well as Phantom I even did a bit of sightseeing in my home city and travelling in West Yorkshire.  My friend, James -a big musical theatre fan, came up to Leeds at the end of August to see Phantom and we spent the following day exploring West Yorkshire where we visited Esholt (Emmerdale fame!), Baildon and Saltaire. It was great to combine our love for musicals and travel during the weekend!

Dessert at I Candy, a dessert cafe near The Grand

James at The Woolpack, Esholt, West Yorkshire

Me and James having lunch in Baildon, West Yorkshire

James just about to induldge in a Yorkshire Afternoon Tea in Saltaire, West Yorkshire

Salt Mills, Saltaire, West Yorkshire

As well as seeing John Owen Jones wearing the mask it was nice to see Richard Woodford and Greg Castiglioni donning the mask at some performances even if it was unfortunate that John was ill whilst some of the time in Leeds.

Me with Richard Woodford (Understudy Phantom) and James

Me with Richard Woodford (Understudy Phantom)

Me with Greg Castiglioni

What a great summer it was! Six weeks of Phantom in my home city!  I am very proud for Leeds to host my favourite show and The Grand Theatre's box office broke sales records on the first day the tickets went on sale! Next stop, Edinburgh!

My Phantom Journey of 2012 (Part 3)

Bristol

Phantom and Neptune in Bristol!

I arrived in Bristol in very good time and checked in the Premier Inn on King Street in the Old Town.  After freshening up and getting my bearings I made my way to the Bristol Hippodrome via Bella Italia for my dinner!  I met up with Vivienne and Pearl briefly before the evening performance of The Phantom of the Opera.  Despite another uncomfortable seat (I then made a mental note that I will only book stall seats from now on!) I enjoyed the performance and the more I see the production the more it grow on me.  Vivienne, Pearl and I met up at Stage Door and we were able to chat to some members of the cast including Anthony Gabriele and John Owen Jones.  I remember Anthony Gabriele from Three Phantoms concert last year in Plymouth.  I also met Naomi who asked me to take a photo of her and Simon Bailey (Raoul) despite my limited experience using an I Phone as a camera lol!   In all it was a wonderful evening and I return to my hotel feeling very satisfied.

Pearl, Vivienne and Anthony Gabriele (Musical Director)

Phantom at the Hippodrome

 

Phantom advertised in the local car park!

  

 I spent the following day exploring Bristol.  I joined a city walking tour only to get caught in the rain but I enjoyed the tour visiting the old city and the harbourside.  I was fascinated with Bristol’s social history especially during the poignant times such as the Slave Trade and the decline of the docks activity.  After the walking tour, I did some individual exploration including a comfort stop at the Rummer Hotel, was the city’s oldest inn, for coffee and its wonderful courgette cake (just taste like carrot cake lol!) 

Queen Square, Bristol

 Photos of the Markets and The Exchange, Old City, Bristol

Later on in the day I did a city docks boat tour on the Floating Harbour which was a lot of fun! It was an interesting tour as we spotted the SS Great Britain on our travels.   

SS Great Britain, Bristol

Bristol Cathedral

Council Buildings, Bristol

On the Sunday I went across to Bath for a couple of days visiting sights I didn’t get chance to on past visits before returning home.

Rooftops of Bath

St Michael's and All Angels, Bath

Bath's Spa Quarter

 

Statue of Water Goddess outside Bath Abbey

My Phantom Journey of 2012 (Part 2)

Manchester

Palace Theatre, Manchester

Me at Palace Theatre, Manchester

Manchester is only an hour away from Leeds, where I live, so I was pleased I didn’t have to travel far and wide during its Phantom of the Opera run there.  I went twice, once with my friend and fellow musical theatre fan, Rob, and another time with a long time friend, Liz. 

On my first visit, in April 2012, I went across to Manchester for the day.  I met up with Rob and we hung around at Stage Door and we got to say hi to a number of cast members including John Owen Jones.  I was especially happy to meet Angela M Cesar (Carlotta) and had a nice catch up. She is becoming one of my favourite Carlottas.    We also met Karen, a big John Owen Jones fan, who was seeing the same performance as us and we were able to discuss and share our love for one of my favourite phantoms.

Inside Palace Theatre

Me and Angela M Cesar (Carlotta)

Rob and I had a quick drink/snack at nearby Caffe Nero’s before catching the matinee show.  Despite my very uncomfortable seat I thoroughly enjoyed the performance and my appreciation for the production continues to grow.  Rob wanted to meet more cast members so we hung around stage door afterwards.  I got to meet Liesel Dowsett (Dance Captain and who I saw perform in a previous Phantom UK Tour) and Olivia Brereton (Alternative Christine and who I saw as Christine at the performance).  Rob managed to meet who he wanted to meet so we settled down for a nice meal at nearby Pizza Express.  Afterwards we went our separate ways for our train home.

Me and Olivia Breeton (Alt Christine)

Me and Rob at nearby Pizza Express, Manchester

My long time friend, Liz, came up from South to spend the weekend with me in Manchester.  She is a big Phantom and Love Never Dies Phan and was curious to see the new production.  I met her at Manchester Piccadilly Station as I arrived earlier before we had lunch and settled into our hotel near the Palace Theatre.  I showed Lizzie the sights of Manchester via the Rochdale Canal and the backstreets.  Lizzie saw a fair bit although we were disappointed to see the Manchester Wheel was no more.  

Liz and I in Missoula's, Manchester

Manchester Sights (From Left)

Photos 1 & 2 Rochdale Canal

Photos 3 National Football Museum

Photos 4 Busy Historic Quarter, Manchester

We returned to the hotel to rest before the show and to learn that John Owen Jones was ill and would not be performing at the performance that evening.  I was disappointed for Liz but I was intrigued with Richard Woodford (Understudy Phantom) who was going to debut as Phantom.  We were in the Gods and I probably sat in the most uncomfortable seats with more or less no leg room and the view was of a vertigo issue (I do not even suffer from it!).  I do not think the glass of prosecco I had helped lol.  I enjoyed Woody’s performance as Phantom and he did a great job considering it was his debut that evening.  I hope he will have more opportunities to put on the mask at future performances.  Liz was impressed with the production and the new impressive souvenir brochure came out so I was able to purchase one.

My Phantom Journey of 2012 (Part 1)

Introduction

 

 I learnt about The Phantom of the Opera UK Tour when I was present at the 25^th Anniversary Performance at The Royal Albert Hall in October 2011.  I was especially excited that my local theatre, The Leeds Grand, will host the musical which was the best news for me!  One would think I would not need to travel to see the show.  Wrong! I wanted to combine my love of travelling with my favourite musical around the UK.  So I’ve decided to visit the cities, which were feasible to reach, where Phantom is playing.

 For logistical reasons I decided not to see Phantom in Dublin, Milton Keynes and Southampton.  I did research on those cities and it was not possible because of costs and timings of travelling there and accommodation following personal research.  However I will now plan to see Phantom in eight of the eleven cities during 2012 and 2013.

Plymouth

 

Plymouth Skyline

Before I knew it booking opened for Phantom for Plymouth and I booked my first ticket. I had not look back since then.  My first trip was combined with a stopover in London on the way and the way back.  It worked out significantly cheaper to travel by train with East Coast/Great Western trains than direct with Cross Country trains and this included by London hostel accommodation for the two nights!  After an overnight stay in London I got the morning train to Plymouth and arrived 3.5 hours later! It was nice to be in Plymouth again after visiting in November 2011 for The Three Phantoms Concert and also staying in the same guest house!

The Royal William Yard

   Plymouth Wheel     

Mayflower Exhibition

I did a bit of sightseeing and visited some sights I had not visited before including the city’s art gallery, The Royal William Yard and visiting the Mayflower Exhibition in the Barbican.  

After an interesting day of sightseeing I returned to the guest house and got ready for the evening performance of Phantom at The Theatre Royal.  I met up with Kayleigh and Nick briefly at the theatre’s cafe before the show.  I was apprehensive about the new production especially that I went during its previews (press night was the following week).  Me being a big phantom phan I had every right to be so and I nervously waited for the musical to start.  I knew it was going to be very different to what I’ve so far seen in my Phantom journey and I can say it certainly was! All I said at that point was ‘Expect the Unexpected!’  Anyhow after a wonderful evening it was great meeting some of the cast at the stage door.  John Owen Jones asked me what I thought of the new production and all I could say to him that it was very different than what I had seen!

  

 

Me with John Owen Jones

My signed Programme!

The following day I returned to London for couple of days and met up with Terena, Sophia and Alex.  I even managed to see The Brilliant Original at Her Majesty’s Theatre and got the opportunity to see Earl Carpenter’s portrayal as Phantom! I felt a sense of déjà-vu but at the same time I kept comparing both productions as I saw them close together – which probably is not a good idea!  Next stop, Manchester!