I've just spent the entire day working on an entirely uninspiring assignment which is due later this week. I didn't even manage to finish it, although I think perhaps I'm over the hump. Two more events or observations to reflect on ... anyone interested in contributing? It's worth 70% ... so this isn't really one I want to bomb out on. I could do with a little inspiration before finishing it off as I've completely lost interest. Not good. Oh well. I'm counting on the assumption that I'm too intelligent to accidently fail. Hopefully the assumption pays off.
Meanwhile, I went to Phantom of the Opera on Friday night!! And I've been meaning to post about it ever since. It was such an incredible show ... loved it to bits, as expected of course. In bizarre news though, we had two Phantoms! So confusing. I immediately checked the cast board on arriving at the theatre, and I was thrilled to see Anthony Warlow's name listed next to the Phantom. Given his recent medical concerns, I certainly wasn't expecting to see him ... just hoping.
But he was on, and I was so excited to finally see him performing the role. I guess he was still trying to save his voice though (for the closing weekend matinees perhaps?), as he didn't do the entire show. They kept subbing another guy in and out. It messed with my head so much! I know Anthony Warlow's voice, and I know his face, and this other guy certainly wasn't him. He was brilliant, don't get me wrong ... his voice was amazing, and he certainly looked the part. He made an incredible Phantom. He just wasn't Anthony Warlow. He wasn't even the same height ... biggest give away was when the Phantom suddenly became shorter.
I kept doubting myself though ... I've never heard of them continually changing the lead character. It was bizarre! I've seen them change a character once when one actor falls ill, but not this continual changing. I started questioning my sanity, and what I was seeing. First I started to think it wasn't him, and that the cast board was wrong, and clearly we had the understudy. But then he'd come out or even just sing and I'd be utterly convinced it was him, so then when they changed again I started to doubt my ability to recognise someone I really ought to be able to recognise. And then he'd return and I'd wonder what the problem was. It was so, so confusing!
And the most amusing part of the entire experience is that I'm fairly sure at least half the audience realised nothing. Even when the understudy came out for curtain call immediately after Anthony Warlow performed the final scene, people seemed to be completely ignorant. Such a bizarre experience. But it was Phantom, and Anthony Warlow was in the role for the majority of the show - at least, for all the most important scenes. And it was incredible!