Saturday 18 April 2020

Online Theatre: 'Only the Brave', 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and 'The Phantom of the Opera'

Hey readers!
In these rather uncertain times, the theatre community has continued to remain strong, and we still stand as one. A number of individuals within the industry have carried on undertaking some very kind deeds, allowing people to stream theatre online from the safety and comfort of their homes. I, along with many others, have very much appreciated these acts of kindness, and have really enjoyed my weekly dose of online theatre. It still continues to be a very positive experience, and I would highly recommend it. So, without further ado, here are the theatre shows that I have seen throughout the past two weeks:

Only the Brave


"Only the Brave, recounts the raw courage and determination of those who fought and felt the physical and emotional pain of the Second World War. It tells the story of a group of brave soldiers embarking on a dangerous mission that holds the key to the success of the D-Day Landings. This rousing and original musical interweaves the soldier’s stories with that of their families and loved ones. Based on true events, Only The Brave evokes the camaraderie and bravery of the second world war generation."

Only the Brave follows a really moving story, and I for one was very touched by it. The fact that it was inspired by true events makes it all the more heartbreaking, and I was in tears by the end of the show. The pacing was absolutely excellent and I was on the edge of my seat throughout; I personally found that the time flew by. It features a really talented cast, all of whom created characters that proved easy to sympathise with. The leading actors, David Thaxton and Neil McDermott, were particularly outstanding and had remarkable chemistry with one another. I was surprised that I had not previously heard of this show, and was seriously impressed by it. When theatres re-open, it would be nice to see Only the Brave transfer to the West End.

Only the Brave can be watched on Vimeo for free here: https://vimeo.com/403297083

Jesus Christ Superstar


"The musical looks at the last week of Jesus’ life, including his arrival in Jerusalem with his disciples, and crucifixion. It includes a number of classic rock musical numbers including 'Gethsemane', 'I Don’t Know How To Love Him', 'Everything’s Alright' and 'Superstar'."

Prior to watching this livestream, I had previously seen two different live productions of Jesus Christ Superstar: the 2015 UK tour and the 2017 Regent's Park Open Air Theatre revival. This production however, staged at the O2 music venue, is like no other; it takes the show into the modern-day, using the 2011 London riots as inspiration for the setting. The interpretation of Jesus bring a political leader and moral philosopher of sorts is an interesting one, and is particularly compelling from the viewpoint of one who has studied religion and philosophy. In relation to the cast, Tim Minchin steals the show with his extraordinary performance as Judas Iscariot. Minchin has an incredible presence about him, and his vocal range is sensational. Alexander Hanson, as Pontius Pilate, is also worthy of a special mention, giving an intense and exceptional performance. 

Jesus Christ Superstar can no longer be watched on YouTube for free, though it can still be purchased either on Digital HD or DVD.

The Phantom of the Opera


"Deep in the bowels of the Paris Opera House a disfigured genius becomes obsessed with a young ballet dancer, Christine Daae. As he teaches her singing, becoming her 'angel of music', she finds herself drawn to his charm and mystery, unable to resist his talents as a composer. The Phantom haunts the opera house, making demands of its new owners in an attempt to get Christine to star in a new opera that he has written especially for her. The handsome Raoul is also in love with Christine and challenges The Phantom for her affections, leading to an onstage disaster that literally brings down the house. The Phantom of the Opera is a haunting, romantic epic that will delight audiences both young and old."

This production of The Phantom of the Opera was done in honour of the show's 25th anniversary, and was staged at the Royal Albert Hall. This was a really special production, and quite possibly the best filmed theatre show I have sever seen. What makes this production so extraordinary is its stellar cast, all of which are marvellous; there was not one weak link among them. The highlight of this production is arguably Sierra Boggess's portrayal of Christine Daaé, who excels in this role. Having seen a fair few portrayals of Christine during my years of theatregoing, it is safe to say that Boggess delivers one of the strongest and most convincing performances of the character. Ramin Karimloo, as The Phantom, and Hadley Fraser, as Raoul, were also spectacular, with each giving memorable performances. In addition to this, the scenic and costume designs, by Matt Kinley and Maria Björnson respectively, were amazing and really added to the effect of the whole production. It was truly a pleasure to watch this, and I was thrilled to have such an opportunity.

The Phantom of the Opera can be watched on YouTube for free until 18th April here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nINQjT7Zr9w.

Thanks for reading!

-The Basic Theatre Reviewer

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