Alright, so it's not actually called "Phantom 2", but that doesn't mean that it isn't. Like all good sequels, at the beginning of this musical we learn that the main character, the Phantom, didn't die. In fact he ended up escaping his life entombed in the Paris Opera House and moved to the 'new world': Coney Island U.S of A.
Less surprisingly none of the other characters have come to any mischief in the ten years time between the end of
Love Never Dies. Christine and Raoul have wed and begat a son, Gustave. Basically the plot entails M. Phantom inviting Christine to perform in Coney island. Her accepting and, with her family, journeying to America. Then there's the discovery that it's the Phantom who has invited her, and some discussion, in song of course, regarding the paternity of Christine's son.
The Phantom and Christine
It's very dramatic and lively, and if you thought the first
Phantom was colourful, then you might be surprised to hear that the Coney Island setting means this production is even more vibrant, lit part by the neon lights of the new century, 1900.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, who wrote both
Phantoms, this one with help from Ben Elton, has always maintained that this musical stands alone and you don't need to have seen the original Phantom to enjoy it. But most
reviewers say the opposite: that this is a colourful piece of musical theatre in the same vain as its predecessor, which when it first came out was part of the revival of musicals on a majestic scale.
Reviewers also invariably use the words: haunting, melodious, yearning and romantic. Which gives a pretty clear indication of what to expect. It's not
Phantom, but it's certainly trying to be.
Love Never Dies is currently
booking until Valentine's day 2012. It will be interesting to see if it closes before
Phantom, which has been running since 1986.
