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The musical scores of Andrew Lloyd Webber pose a certain challenge to any brave performer willing to take them on – but the members of the Jersey Gilbert & Sullivan Society made a fantastic attempt at tackling The Phantom of the Opera last night...
The G&S Society's semi-staged concert performance of the West End's most haunting love story opened yesterday and is set to run for the rest of the week.
Giving life to the empty Les Quennevais school in half term, the performance is a concert version of the 40-year-old musical with a 28-piece orchestra sharing the stage with the performers.
In brief, the The Phantom of the Opera follows a Paris opera house that is thrown into misfortune by an embittered Phantom.
After her shows become ruined, principal soprano Carlotta Guidicelle refuses to sing and a chorus girl Christine Daae replaces her.
Pictured: Nell Montague-Rendall as Christine, and Stephen Rouxel as Raoul.
Hearing Christine's beautiful voice, the masked Phantom becomes obsessed and a love triangle ensues between the Phantom and Raoul, Christine's childhood friend.
With her heart and the opera's reputation on the line, Christine has to make a life or death choice.
Keeping to the musical talent of the Society, the music was of equal importance to the action in this concert performance and rightly so.
Not only were the numbers impressively delivered overseen by Musical Director Annette Blanchet, but with all musicians placed centre stage it gave added status to them as made the Opera come alive in song.
Pictured: "Nell Montague-Rendall as Christine was tender but striking."
The principal performers were charming. Not only did their costumes, especially Carlotta's, add to the whimsical feel of the scenes but the way they worked together kept the world of the Opera for the audience.
Nell Montague-Rendall as Christine was tender but striking. Her voice was nothing close to amateur in this production and her performance drew all attention with the technical precision of her vocals.
As with most Lloyd-Webber stories, most characters give off a certain level of melodrama and Stephen Rouxel's Raoul certainly lived up to this.
His quiff hairstyle was as energetic as the man underneath with a bouncy and exuberant jus ne se quois.
Pictured: James Hill as the eponymous Phantom.
The long awaited entrance of the Phantom, played by James Hill, came mid-way though Act 1 where a vulnerable but enticing performance filled the title role. A difficult job to do, especially from behind a mask.
Together with Nell's Christine, their performance of 'Music of the Night' was a notable success and a touching homage to the original.
Lastly, Gitte-Maj' Donoghue's delivery of Carlotta Guidicelle personified the melodrama of opera.
Staying true to her character's name, she hit a lot of high notes and (at times) spoke in a lot of accents.
Pictured: Piangi was played by Hilton Packies (left).
Michelle Parker's direction did well to keep the production dynamic with over 70 performers being on stage at times.
A spotlight would have been useful in scenes were actors were at either side of the auditorium, but overall it was a job well done.
The ensemble cast helped build the atmosphere for the principals and were present in every moment.
It's definitely a good investment to buy a ticket and watch this production. An ideal thing to do on a rainy half-term day perhaps...
Phantom of the Opera is running until 1 June at Les Quennevais, including a matinee performance on the Saturday.
You can book your tickets HERE.
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