Chandelier lights up the stage for Phantom's darkest secrets

With the rise of the giant chandelier to the roof of the auditorium at Shanghai Grand Theatre, one of the most celebrated musicals, Phantom of the Opera, kicked off its six-week performance schedule in the city, on Tuesday. Its run will go on until Oct 13.

It has been 20 years since the epic musical's first show in Shanghai, with 100 performances given at the theater in 2004.

Marni Raab, who played the heroine Christian Daae in the 2004 tour to Shanghai, has returned to the show, playing Madame Giry, a role who knows all the secrets behind the Paris Opera, in the current world tour production.

"The city is so much bigger and even more cosmopolitan, even more beautiful if that's possible," she told the media on Sunday.

"And what's really remarkable is that the show is the same. It's the same beautiful production, with all its glorious sets and lush music.

"It's just a testament to how wonderful Phantom of the Opera is. And we are really grateful for all the people who are coming back, and those coming for the first time to see the show."

Widely considered one of the most spectacular live theater productions in history, the musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, has played to more than 160 million audiences in 46 countries and 193 cities, with productions in 21 languages. In 2023, the show celebrated its 35th anniversary on Broadway, and closed the Broadway version later the same year.

One of the Chinese audience members, Wu Nan, recalls the impact he had watching the show at the Shanghai theater for the first time 20 years ago.

"I was fresh from university and worked in the office building opposite the Shanghai Grand Theatre. I was not well-off and could only afford to buy the cheapest ticket at that time. I remember sitting on the third floor with my eyes glued to a giant prop covered in dark cloth hanging near the ceiling of the theater.

"Then the theater turned dark, and the music started, I was so overwhelmed to see the beautiful chandelier lit up and falling all the way down to the stage. Later on, I saw the show several more times, including at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, but nothing compared to the strong emotional impact I experienced the first time."

Since then, the musical made another two tours of China, in 2013 and 2015 respectively. Last year, the Chinese version of the musical was produced and successfully toured nine cities across the country.

Playing the Phantom in the current world tour is Jonathan Roxmouth, the youngest English-speaking Phantom. Having performed the show more than 700 times, he tries to push aside the pressure, and not to keep a count any more, though "I do dream of celebrating my 1,000th show as the Phantom", he says.

Staying in Shanghai for the coming six weeks, the actors are looking forward to experiencing the culture and lifestyle of the city. Grace Roberts, who now plays the role of Christine Daae, the young singer, says that she wants to see the city from the top of the Shanghai Tower, and also have afternoon tea with a view of the Bund.

Raab, on the other hand, recalls spending Spring Festival in Shanghai 20 years ago, when she saw the Yuyuan Garden decorated with beautiful lanterns. "This year, we will probably be celebrating the new year in Guangzhou," she says.

The 2024 China tour took the musical to Shenzhen in Guangdong province from July 2 to Aug 4, and Xi'an in Shaanxi province from Aug 13 to 18.

After the shows in Shanghai, the production will perform in Suzhou of Jiangsu province from Oct 22 to Nov 3, Chengdu in Sichuan province from Nov 12 to 24, Beijing from Dec 3 to 29, and Guangzhou of Guangdong from Jan 7 to 26.