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A semi-staged concert performance of the West End's most haunting love story is set to take to the Jersey stage this week featuring a 26-piece orchestra and 40-person choir ensemble.
Curtains will open on Jersey Gilbert & Sullivan Society's production of The Phantom of the Opera tomorrow night at Les Quennevais School.
The musical centres on a disfigured musical genius who lives in the Paris Opera House.
He becomes obsessed with a young soprano – but love turns into a murderous rage when his young protege falls in love with another.
Express checked-in with The Phantom of the Opera's Artistic director Michelle Parker and musical director Annette Blanchet before curtain up.
It all came about by accident!
Last year, a few of us from the Jersey Gilbert and Sullivan Society travelled to Guernsey for another performance, and whilst waiting to travel, Richard Joynt, who is playing Andre this year, did a bit of Googling and discovered the [Phantom] rights were available!
Pictured: Richard Joynt (Andre) with William Millow (Firmin).
After a few Committee discussions, we agreed that it was an opportunity too good to miss.
The Phantom of the Opera has been played to over 160 million people in 46 countries in 21 languages.
Due to its popularity on the professional stage, the rights have only recently been made available for amateurs.
We are thrilled to be the first group in Jersey to perform it!
We began rehearsing in January, which seems ages ago, but we have needed the time.
The production is around 90% singing, so it's been vital to ensure that the ensemble and the principals are singing all the right notes and in all the right places.
Pictured: Some of The Phantom of the Opera cast in rehearsals.
We have had wonderful rehearsals and when everyone comes together; it really is quite outstanding.
The music is technically very intricate, so even the most seasoned of performers has been challenged with this production.
Ticket sales have been fantastic so far.
We are working with Jersey Opera House to sell our tickets and the production team loves to receive the Monday sales report.
Jersey audiences are renowned for booking very last minute, so it's wonderful to see people snapping up tickets so far in advance.
All our actors are amateur performers in this production. We also have professional musicians and technical team involved in creating this very special semi-staged version of the full production.
We hope to blow you away with a 26-piece orchestra, a 40-person seated, 'choir' ensemble, dancers and a group of incredibly skilled principals.
A lot of work goes into a production of this size, including music, rehearsals, costumes, set, props.
We really hope that our audiences enjoy our take on this incredible musical.
The Jersey G&S Society is an amateur performing arts group that produces annual productions of the works of Gilbert and Sullivan.
We haven't finalised future plans after The Phantom of the Opera, but we are envisaging a concert in the autumn.
Pictured: Stephen Rouxel (Raoul) rehearsing a number with and Nell Montague-Rendall (Christine).
Producing The Phantom of the Opera has taken us away from our traditional repertoire, but we don't wish to forget the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, which is why our Society was initially formed.
Singing is a great stress release, so whether you do it in the shower or on stage it has enormous benefits to both your mind and body.
Everyone can sing. Taking singing lessons is a great way to learn all the techniques needed, but joining local groups and societies is so beneficial as well, as you'll find you learn so much from other people.
This semi-staged version of The Phantom of the Opera is being performed at Les Quennevais School Concert Hall from 28 May to the 1 June, with nightly performances at 19:30, finishing on the Saturday with a 14:30 matinee.
The Society is encouraging audiences to bring along opera masks to add to the atmosphere.
Tickets are available HERE.
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