The Phantom of the Opera: Singapore-raised star heads this worldwide hit

One of the most iconic titles in all of theatre, The Phantom of the Opera has returned to Singapore to enchant another generation. Now in its 40th year, this Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiece with 70 major theatre awards under its belt has been seen by over 160 million people in 195 cities across the globe.

Catch one of the most popular productions of all time at Sands Theatre until 22 Jun 2025.

If you are one of the few unfamiliar with the tale, this haunting love story is based on a French novel published in 1910. Timeless indeed. The titular Phantom ‘haunts’ a Parisian theatre, where mysterious accidents and entitled demands delivered by notes keep the cast and crew on edge.

When the prima donna refuses to perform after the latest incident, young chorus girl Christine Daae replaces her. Christine’s triumphant performance enchants her childhood friend, Raoul in the audience. This sends the Phantom, who has been secretly tutoring her, into a rage. Sabotage, kidnap and murder follow, with dark secrets and murky backstories creating a thrilling backdrop to the relationships Christine has with her enamoured old friend and this mysterious, dangerous stranger.

This production stars Ben Forster as the Phantom and London-born, Singapore-raised Grace Roberts as Christine. The cast of 37 hails from the United States, South Africa, Australia and beyond.

Performance

I am admittedly a dilettante when it comes to theatre but even I recognised the booming overture that leads into the story. From the moment the iconic chandelier ascends in a blaze of light, the music of The Phantom of the Opera is simply fantastic, even if the genre was a surprise to me, considering the story is set in the early 20th century.

What completely shocked me was the vocal performances.

Both Grace Roberts and Ben Forster have such magnificent control of their voices over such a vast range that my jaw literally dropped. I was prepared for the character of Christine to display a tenderness but to have The Phantom equal it was a delightful revelation.

I am not alone in that assessment; the audience erupted in applause and cheers when Forster first displayed his prowess. And it was a recurring occurrence. Powerful renditions of beloved classics like “The Music of the Night” and “All I Ask of You” were met with thunderous cheers.

Matt Leisy as Raoul, Christine’s suitor, brings charm and sincerity, though his performance occasionally feels overshadowed by the Phantom’s intensity. The ensemble, from the opera diva Carlotta to the ballet corps, adds flair and humour.

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I loved the opulent staging described of Miss Saigon, and this set design equals it in grandeur and atmosphere. The Paris Opera House is vividly brought to life with intricate backdrops, from the gilded auditorium to the eerie underground lair.

The iconic chandelier drop never fails to elicit gasps. Lighting and smoke effects create a gothic ambience, especially in scenes like “Masquerade,” where vibrant costumes dazzle against a swirling staircase. The manner in which The Phantom ‘rowed’ his craft about the stage was so convincing that I was initially sure that there was water beneath it.

Final thoughts

Two elements of The Phantom of the Opera stand out for me: the voices and the stealth of the set changes.

Over the past few months, I have caught Miss Saigon, Sunset Boulevard and Wicked, and could never claim that any one of them lacked voice talent or good set design. Quite the contrary, I praised those exact features in my reviews.

However, The Phantom of the Opera does both better. Grace Roberts as Christine and Ben Forster as The Phantom gave exceptional performances. While its sets may not be as dynamic as those of Miss Saigon, they were perfect for this plotline.

If I have one criticism, it’s of the pacing. One or two musical numbers (that shall remain unnamed) seem perhaps superfluous. Also, the sudden bloom of Christine’s relationship with Raoul is unconvincing, their childhood together notwithstanding. At a 150-minute runtime, both of these could be addressed.

Still, it’s hard not to understand why this Andrew Lloyd Webber’s superhit has been seen by over 160 million people and remains so popular with both newcomers and returning fans. An acquaintance shared a clip of her bawling her eyes out when the curtains fell. I did not do the same but I empathise.

The Phantom of the Opera plays at Sands Theatre till 22 Jun 2025.

Get your tickets from S$87 on Klook

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