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Life is a Masquerade
The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera (POTO) has been around longer than I imagined. It was first birthed as a novel by a French writer, Gaston Leroux in 1910. Many years later, it was re-adapted into a plethora of literary works, plays, dramas, musicals, screen plays and films.
One of the most influential POTO musical stage plays was created by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1986 and it is still being staged all over the world. POTO has captured many hearts including mine after reading the novel and watching the play. In this article, I will evaluate based on my personal preference.
The story narrates the tale of a naïve unsung soprano, Christine whom the brooding disfigured Phantom is besotted with. She however, has fallen for her childhood playmate, The Vicomte Raoul De Chagny, a charming aristocrat. Alarmed by the notion of her absence, the Phantom orchestrates a plan to keep her to himself.
In the end after a near death experience for Vicomte Raoul attempting to thwart the plan, the Phantom finally decides to free Christine due to his true love for her. He unfortunately dies of a broken heart, setting Raoul and Christine to their own happy ending. In the play however, the Phantom's life is spared. Making the story a little less sorrowful.
The Play
The Phantom was staged as an ingenious, deceitful mastermind whose physical appearance overshadowed his true musical virtuoso. Andrew Webber down played the horror by introducing erotic and sensual adaptations to the famed novel.
This was well portrayed and all thanks to his then wife, Sarah Brightman, who played in the 1986’s POTO as Christine. Webber conveyed his obsessive love for her through this play, just like how The Phantom is so entranced by Christine’s beauty.
Webber made The Phantom more ‘appealing’ and ‘mysteriously sexy’ by altering the initial full mask into a half mask. With the Phantom sporting half mask, he increasingly captivated the audience as they are able to clearly read the Phantom’s expressions rather than the need to visualize it in the novel. The Phantom is nameless on Broadway and ghostly.
The Novel
In the original texts, Leroux delved into the depths of human insecurities and society through the Phantom’s voice. His novel is his rebellion against society’s perspective regarding beauty as a virtue and as a reminder to us all that Life is in fact just a Masquerade where our experiences in life are an illusion to one degree or another.
The Phantom in the novel is not anonymous. He addresses himself as Erik. Only those close to him like the Persian (his only friend) and Christine know of this name. This reveals to us that even disregarded ‘ghost’ like himself though disfigured, holds an identity and is capable of feelings.
“All I wanted was to be loved for myself."
Erik’s world is intricately explored and his psychological make up is well crafted. It reveals the buildup of the insecurities throughout Erik’s life due to society’s misrepresentations of his expressions. In the end, we realize that Erik’s inflamed retaliation is a product of victimization, “a poor dog” being outcast.
Conclusion
In my opinion, I believe that the novel is a better choice to appreciate POTO’s real value. While Webber did dramatize the story and I must admit it is a wonderful play, the novelty of the original still stands the test of time.
I value that Leroux brings different shades of meaning to our definition of beauty, his portrayal of a person’s state of mind and its backstory. The historical context and factual aspects are also noteworthy and I relish in savoring its contents.
His Phantom is a character that I feel a stronger connection to as his attributes, fears and hopes are relatable even till this day.
The Phantom of The Opera novel is indeed a literary work worth reading.
So, what do you think? Do you agree with me? Please comment below!
P.S. If you have not read the novel, please do so to discover the treasures of fine literature!
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Thank you and have a "PHANtastic" day!
Citations:
https://anordinarypen.wordpress.com/2018/02/15/the-phantom-of-the-opera-book-vs-musical-vs-movie/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Persian
https://musicalreviewer92.wordpress.com/2016/02/06/phantom-of-the-opera-book-v-musical/
https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Phantom-of-The-Opera-The-Novel-Versus-the-Musical
https://www.oldstyletales.com/single-post/2018/09/25/The-Phantom-of-the-Opera-Historical-Inspirations-Literary-Analysis-Film-Adaptations----a-Spooky-Spotlight-on-the-Gothic-Novel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7WVxD7Nnvw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp-mGDFMxW4
interesting. keep it up.....:)
Epic Awesomeness.
You are the real GEM, keep up the good work.
Thank you very much. !
Amazing 👌🏻😊
Good content
This report is well thought out and communicated well. Her explanations and opinions of the book and the play are clearly explained and easily understood even by those who might not have read the book or saw the play.