Erik and Christine.
The Novel
When I first read the book, I was taken aback about how the story was different from the musical. It starts with Joseph Buquet's mysterious death, which was officially ruled as a suicide.
Raoul was a very unlikable character in the novel unlike the musical counterpart, he is always angry with Christine and his relationship with Philippe, his elder brother was really explosive due to disapproval over his relationship with Christine.
Erik still remains the same and in the novel, he's also appears to be jealous to the point of killing Raoul in the final lair, including the Persian. At one point, I love how Leroux describes his jealous nature when Erik overhears the young couple talking about him at the Paris Opera House rooftop clinging onto Apollo's Lyre.
Finally, the final chapters did not have a mob going after Erik. Instead, he tells the Persian of the couple's whereabouts and what he had done with them. A few weeks later, the Persian receives news from the Epoque that 'Erik is dead'.
The Musical
So, the musical is more straightforward comparing to the original novel. It opens with an auction that takes place at the Paris Opera House, several of the characters still remains the same with the exception of Raoul, Christine and the Phantom.
The Persian and Philippe make no appearance in the musical, the managers knew that the Phantom really exists in Act 2.
Talking about the costumes, I must give kudos to the late Maria Bjornsson for her vivid and vibrant outfits. My most favourite is the Red Death during the Masquerade scene in Act 2.
Finally, I cried during the ending because the Phantom mysteriously vanished, leaving us ambiguous as to what really happen to him including both Raoul and Christine afterwards.
At the Level of Your Eye
If you are a fan of the musical, go ahead and read the book, then go and see the musical as well as the movie.
Musical Poster
After the mirror was smashed and the phantom walked through it, everyone thought he was dead. When they finally thought it was safe enough, the torture began. People were leaving and never coming back because of, "Some blasted screeching and wailing!" the ownership was changed more than eight times, due to the "Dark shadow man" who terrorized the actors. the opera house struggled to stay alive, until it finally shut down when, according to a surviving actor, "the chandelier caught fire, but nothing else did, and the fire wasn't able to be put out." Many people believe it was the phantom, but, if it WASN'T him, then who was it?
Somewhat good news, well i guess it depends on how you look at it. But before i begin to ramble, here it is. I was on youtube talking to someone when i decided to check out my subscriptions and decided to check out a new phantomreviewer video. well, im not sure if i have all my notes in the right place but it sounds like there will be a new phantom show production. its simply named phantom (of what i kno) and the phantom has a kick ass mask that looks like he came back from a heavy metal concert. i like it! if u want to check it out, heres the link. if it ever comes on tour, i mite do my best to see it *optimistic look*
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