I’ve been a fan of the novel and musical for most of my life and I still cannot figure out what is actually happening to make Carlotta croak like a toad. Did he slip something into her drink before the opera that’s just now taking effect? Is he a ventriloquist? Is it magic?!?! We’ll never know.
In the ALW stage musical I think we’re supposed to think more on the side of a ventriloquism/magic aspect. The Hal Prince production is overall more mysterious/ambiguous and the Phantom’s effect is always meant to be present. Just him being there is supposed to be enough for things to happen. Lot of suspension of belief. So we never know for sure, only that the Phantom stands above atop the proscenium and that’s enough (in the musical). Maybe he did actually slip something into a drink, but the audience is left to wonder. Which actually helps add to the Phantom’s power and magic, even if there isn’t any. Other productions and the 2004 movie will sometimes remove that element and give a physical reason, like replacing her throat spray. Which is not necessarily a bad substitution, but makes the Phantom that much more literal.
It’s fun to see il muto from Kelly and the costuming and acting here
I’ve been a fan of the novel and musical for most of my life and I still cannot figure out what is actually happening to make Carlotta croak like a toad. Did he slip something into her drink before the opera that’s just now taking effect? Is he a ventriloquist? Is it magic?!?! We’ll never know.
In the ALW stage musical I think we’re supposed to think more on the side of a ventriloquism/magic aspect. The Hal Prince production is overall more mysterious/ambiguous and the Phantom’s effect is always meant to be present. Just him being there is supposed to be enough for things to happen. Lot of suspension of belief. So we never know for sure, only that the Phantom stands above atop the proscenium and that’s enough (in the musical). Maybe he did actually slip something into a drink, but the audience is left to wonder. Which actually helps add to the Phantom’s power and magic, even if there isn’t any. Other productions and the 2004 movie will sometimes remove that element and give a physical reason, like replacing her throat spray. Which is not necessarily a bad substitution, but makes the Phantom that much more literal.
The ballet shoes sound so squeaky- love this nonetheless!!
🥰🥰🥰