Love Never Dies: The Phantom & Christine's Duet

[garnica89]

honestly if Anna and Ramin were to do LND it would be a great show...no offense to Sierra's performance but in my opinion Anna's performance was amazing and Ramin was simply born to be the phantom...but still both productions were fantastic....<3 LND and POTO

[wetaman]

Well this is the most boring staging imaginable.

[slager4ever]

For all of those who are wondering if its a must...it is.I've been in love w/ the phantom since 1989 and well no matter what its a must see!!

[aurora787]

I will always Love Ramin and Sierra more. After seeing the Phantom 25th performance with Ramin and Sierra it makes me love the original cast of Love Never Dies. The same people continuing the story. I believe the love story more with them.

[silverissilent]

Saw it last night do yourself a favor and order the dvd

[craz1car0]

No offense to the Australian cast, but the Phantom seems and looks more like a vampire to me than a phantom.

[MatthewBGaGa1]

@craz1car0 I know!!! But it's all because everyone wanted an "eviler" phantom!!

[luvdeafbroadway777]

haha i dnt kno why but ben looks like a vampire with the whole costume and the way the lighting is set =) haha especially with the mask on... i dnt kno why, maybe its cuz i just finished watching breaking dawn.

[lilsisasu]

If someone had a asked about a month ago which production I thought was better, I would definitely have said the London production. Now my opinion has changed. I still love Ramin as the Phantom, but in some ways, I think I like Ben's portrayal a little better. But maybe I'm just too much of a hopeless romantic. It doesn't take much for me to love a romance story.

[RadcliffeRox101]

I never got a chance to see the London production, but I have the London soundtrack... However I am going to see this version, and I was just wondering if someone could fill me in on the major differences?

[lilsisasu]

@RadcliffeRox101 Really, the only major differences are the song lyrics.  That and the characters are more in-character than they are on the OCR.

[Elizabeth111Music]

The problem with LND is NOT the singer, or which version it is. The problem is that the plot itself has killed the original Phantom. I think that Ben's Phantom is great btw, but for me Ramin and Sierra will always be Phantom and Christine <3

[MEmEmeMEmemeYep]

wow my last post should say "holes in the plot"....I'm a bit tired :)

[MEmEmeMEmemeYep]

I'm glad they fixed some of the wholes in the plot but I wish they had fixed them and then done the DVD with Ramin and Sierra. I love Ben's Phantom but I really really dont like Anna's Christine very much and I dont love the changes to the beginning of Beneath a Moonless Sky... but I'll still be seeing it once the DVD comes out

[unwritten22chick]

If you have Beneath a Moonless Sky I'd love to see it uploaded!

[scootershmoo]

Although there is no reason to "hate" on the London production as stated above, there is absolutely no comparison between the two shows. Even the great Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber himself was horribly disappointed with the now closed London production. The cast was phenomenal but the staging, sets, costumes and interpretation were drab and lackluster - not up to par with the original POTO. Everything wrong is fixed in the Australian version. It's everything the show should have been to start.

[Elizabeth111Music]

@scootershmoo I think the cast is the only thing that redeems the London production.

[scootershmoo]

I couldn't agree more with that statement and unfortunately I never got to see the London production after all of the changes were made. I wish I could get my hands on a copy of it before it closed just out of curiosity. I know there's this debate as to who the better Phantom and Christine are...which in itself is ridiculous to debate since we all have different taste. But, for me it's Ramin and Sierra in both LND & POTO and it's really nice to have a cast album of both shows with them now.

[BooBop1987]

Very nice!

[mileyMaximumridefan]

I've seen both the London and Australian performances through video. I definitely agree about the Melborne Production. But what really sets the tone for me is that Ben Lewis has more of the "Phantom Persona". Don't get me wrong, I love Ramin and Sierra and they both did a beautiful job, but Ben seems more of a Phantom to me. Anna also looks more like a Christine and her voice sounds a lot better with the music compared to Sierra. I love the London cast, but Ben and Anna are just unmatched.

[boogiefest]

I did see this in London and loved it, however with everthing progression takes place and I must admit the australian set is fantastic. The cast also sound great. I do hope this reopens in the UK with the changes in place including that amazing staging!

[Marylmac]

Just saw this in Sydney on Thurs at the Premier. Boy, are they a hot stage couple now! It was a fantastic production. Amazing. Everything was splendiferous...How else can it be described? The sets, the singing, the acting, dancing, mechanics of it all. A very much older Phantom, regretting his decision on that moonless night, due to his self abhorence and Christine not knowing he was still alive. Beautiful story of love never dying. Just so tender, wistful and sort of lonesome music. Beautiful.

[cubanita1101]

Honestly, i believe this will be SO MUCH better when people see the movie, lol . and i suggest that they have the ORIGINAL actors btw . <3 but for being new people it' is quite a lovely new production, and the story is great too, but that my opinion . (:

[SuperBammerz]

i cannot see any chemistry between these two characters, and before i get drilled with negative comments i am a drama student so i know what im talking about

[fuego577]

@SuperBammerz so am i. but here is the important question: when did you see these guys perform? did you see them during opening night when they were trying to adjust to the changes being constantly made. did you see them later on during their run where they actually had time to fit into their roles? or are you just going by the videos? even ramin and sierra had cold performances soon after opening,but they eventually got into it. ben and anna have chemistry, they just needed a couple weeks also

[SuperBammerz]

this is shit, why did they record this and make it for dvd, why not the london's version starring Ramin Kairmloo and Seirra Boggess

[deedeelizard]

There is no chemistry between these two at all, however did they manage to produce Gustave?

[trombne1980]

@deedeelizard take it from someone who has actually seen the show live: these 2 have chemistry. this video was taken no more than a week from their first performance. they also changed some stuff during previews. of course they weren't at their best here. they have greatly improved as well

[deedeelizard]

as far as I can see, only the sets are improved. He is too quiet, and she drowns him out, and their acting is non existent, two planks of wood would be more entertaining. Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess were perfect as the phantom and Christine, as can be seen on the 25 anniversary phantom. If they had reprised their roles this would have been perfect!!

[queenmedesa]

I support the so-titled LND anti-fan site

[crushonflynn]

@theDAVEnetwork2011 Did you watch it in the Regent Theatre? I also watched it in the Regent theatre of you watched it there. Please do not say any bad words or swear words cuz i`m only 11.

[arsteroh]

i want a Love never dies DVD featuring ramin and sierra ;(



[karenpng88]

@arsteroh that's what everyone wants

[CadabooLM]

It looks like a great show, but the London show (Post changes) was perfect, even the critics loved it after the changes. Shame the damage was already done and it was still forced to close.

[queenmedesa]

The actors are great and the set beautiful,but this musical is awful!

Love Should Die!

[crushonflynn]

@queenmedesa um hello? Love should never die. Without love parents wouldn`t even send you to school, buy what you want, and wont be the parents you want them to be. IF there is some one who you love and they dont love you, you would feel heart broken. Be careful what you say. Love is important.

[skulblaka92]

Lol, stop hating on the people who prefer the London production guys. I agree that I don't see what people are raving about with the Melborne version, it just looks like a different version to me. It's only my personal opinion though. I don't think you can beat Ramin and Sierra either, but I'm looking forward to seeing this when it's released next year.

[BusinessDog2000]

@skulblaka92 "stop hating on the people who prefer the London production guys" LOL. We're not the ones hating- it's them coming onto all the LND AU videos spurting their "Zomg this sucks we want RAMIN!" shit. We're just defending our production (and rightfully so because we actually HAVE seen it) from the little fangirls from overseas.

[Marselenok]

@BusinessDog2000 I couldn't have agreed more. Though I'm Russian =D

Honestly, I've had enough of these "I want Ramin (and Sierra - as an option) in this, Ben and Anna just don't do it for me (although I haven't seen/heard either of them" whinings. Either video of the Australian LND I choose to watch - and there it'll all be for sure =\ I wonder if any of us go and troll the Phantom 25th Anniversary videos with similar pretensions :)

[BusinessDog2000]

@Marselenok Exactly :) No one really trolls Ramin - he was pretty amazing on the 25th DVD and there is no doubt that he did the role absolute justice- just as Ben Lewis did the Phantom role justice in LND. The RamFans need to give Ben a chance and stop being so quick to judge based off tiny snippets of videos here and there. Also Ramin was on the Les Miserables DVD, the PotO 25th DVD and a tiny cameo in the 2004 Movie. For god's sake, give someone else the spotlight! haha

[Marselenok]

@BusinessDog2000 Amen to that! :D

[ANGEL52911]

i loved it the first time i saw it and im going again 1 week b4 closing in melbourne well done my daughter Tea and I loved it

[Xandrandra]

I worked on the London production, it was amazing, i will always be biased, but this is an amazing one too, just a different version, done differently, some things will be better some things will be worse, see it, if just for the music and the spectical of the thing, you'll find something to love! I'll never forget London LND but i'll be getting the DVD (which is being made) of this when it come out next year!

[LoonySweet1]

I am sorry, but can somebody explain to me what was so horribly wrong with the London production? I keep hearing how awful it was and how spectacular is the Melbourne show and yet, as far as I know (correct me if Im wrong) the only thing that is different is the set. I saw the London production in January (with the original cast & changes) and loved every single second of it. From what Ive seen from the Aussie show, the British actors were A LOT better than the Aussie ones.

[karenpng88]

the voice is there, but can they also include acting pls? i thought they were just there to sing n didn't know each other.

[CadabooLM]

@karenpng88 Yeah, acting was awkward in this scene.

[13LittleLotte]

I haven't seen the London production, but I will say that the set for this production is much more beautiful and fits the music perfectly, just like in Phantom.

[carwyncymru]

hate me and send me hate mail, but this show JUST DOESN'T WORK!!!! i'm all for suspending disbelief but i'm sorry this is taking it too far!!!! lets look at the the original, christine was drawn to the phantom because she saw him as a father figure!! even in the show she sings " angel or father friend or phantom? " to make them lovers is absurd!! i'm not a phantom nut, just some one with common sense. but for all you guys who love the sequel we all have opinions love u all xx keep enjoing xx

[LoonieDubber]

Can't wait to see this on DVD, I've ordered it already and although it's not out till March in the UK but by the sounds of it it's well worth the wait <3

[rockfleet]

I've seen LND with Ramin and Celia Graham during the final London performance Aug.27th and ... with all due respect, the Aussie acting needs improving.

The sheer dramatics from the London performance made it "the" theatrical experience of the decade ... until I went to see the Phantom 25th Anniversary concert ... of course

[bangdeshi]

melbourne edition! love it!haha

[Edwardxtube]

Wow her hair freaks me out :/

[bordemable]

I prefer London's Miss it soo much!!! :(

[LESSCOMMONMORESENSE]

And another thing, I'm so peed off because people who I've been gushing about LND to have said that they’re unsure if should see it because of 'mixed reviews'. I just want to get it clear that these 'mixed (bad) reviews' have only come from those who have seen the London production. You will not find a Melburnian who is disappointed/dissatisfied with LND. IT'S A BRILLIANT, BRAND NEW PRODUCTION! Please, leave London's bad press behind, Melbourne doesn't want to carry your baggage anymore.

[scootershmoo]

@LESSCOMMONMORESENSE

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE. AND SINCE IT'S BEING RELEASED IN EUROPE AND IN THE USA ON BLU-RAY AND DVD, YOU CAN ORDER IT AND SEE FOR YOURSELF. YOU'LL BE VERY HAPPY THAT YOU DIDN'T LISTEN TO THE NAY SAYERS. THE SHOW WILL BE RELEASED HERE ON MAY 29TH, I BELIEVE, AND IF YOU HAVE A BLU-RAY PLAYER YOU CAN GET IT EARLY BY PURCHASING IT FROM AMAZON UK FOR ABOUT THE SAME PRICE - MAYBE A COUPLE DOLLARS MORE. THE DVD VERSION IS PAL REGION 2 SO IT WON'T PLAY HERE. WAIT UNTIL MAY 29TH.

[kubism1978]

@LESSCOMMONMORESENSE couldn't agree more!!! The Australian Production is as close to perfection as musicals get.

[SpiceSandra]

@LESSCOMMONMORESENSE You need to know there has been a professional orchestrated campaign by a very few Phantom fans, against LND. They monitor blogs, reviews, etc and leave scathing reports, having never seen the original production.

[LESSCOMMONMORESENSE]

My wonderful boyfriend took me to see this for the second time and boy has it changed since the first time I saw it in July. I saw it in September and they'd just finished filming the week before so it's been tweaked to perfection. P.S. If you're a smart cookie, you'd run to the back of theatre and catch the cast members as they leave. They are lovely enough to stop for a chat and sign your programme (remember to study their bare faces first as you can miss them without the makeup!).

[cilalany]

@LESSCOMMONMORESENSE

As I was reading your comment, I remembered how I did the same as a teenager. :) It was so much fun to go to the back door of the theatre after the show, wait for the actors... and they were so pleasantly surprised :) I guess they're not used to it, unlike the tv/movie stars. :)

[delibessylvia2]

amazing voice but the acting is off in my opinion .sierra acted way more

[heringtonchick]

Wow! The high note she hit at the end was effortless! Very nice!

[daniellemachuletz18]

I love always opera songs!! very terrific! bravo to all of the cast here!!

[DuchessofTitanic]

I don't like Anna,but Ben is an awesome Phantom.

[aliceinwonderland622]

there's a dvd of love never dies on the website

[phantomjumper]

@aliceinwonderland622 What website? Can you send me the link?

[kendrarussell]

@phantomjumper the australian version of love never dies was filmed in september and will be released at the beginning of next year. as of now, the only place that has an official release of the dvd is the UK (march 12), you can preorder if you have the right equipment to watch it.

[cheyflyheartstyron]

Yehh hey I was just wondering how you got this photige dont care if I spey that wrong um yeh cozz you werent aloud to video it and She is the bomb it made me cry when I went

[sonofstageandpage]

Everyone please remember that this was from the media call back in May. It is now nearly October. It is greater now than what you see in these clips.

[ray12ray21]

she has the perfect christine voice :) its sweet and angelic and Anna controls it very well

[KidOfMusic1995]

That 1 person has the same facial problems as the Phantom!

[MsMagnifice]

Ramin is the perfect Phantom !!! I wished there would be a DVD with him of LND....

[NenadlPopovic]

Beautiful

[motorchoco]

@NenadlPopovic

totally! but we do get him in the phantom of the opera 25th anniversary dvd!

[LOVxxE]

Beautiful, I love what he is wearing! Its gorgeous!

[lizlk]

They have just sung an EXTREMELY passionate duet and now Christine is setting boundaries, bringing restraint back into their relationship. I see appropriate acting- they are responding to each other, there's uncertainty, longing regret.

I am eagerly waiting for the DVD (and for it to cone to Sydney so I can see this again).

[caitpicc1]

I love the music, but I feel like the mixing of their voices was off. Plus, I just wasn't feeling anything from this couple!

[Bremen25]

There is a lot of dissonance going on. Sharps, flats, up/down by half steps, so many accidentals...it doesn't sound like Phantom at all in terms of melody. I can't understand what they're saying!

[musokid]

I can't wait to see this in October in Melbourne!! It looks so awesome!

[omegacadenza10]

beautifully done. But I can't help two things.

I've not seen much of Anna's performance. Stunning voice, but lacking in facial expression. I prefer Sierra.

And with that color/collar/way he moves, I get this... vampire feel. Like Dracula. Is that just me? @_@

[caitpicc1]

@omegacadenza10 I totally see that... when they re-vamped it, did they decide to stop allowing them to act?!?

[gib1jack]

Wow, those two are AMAZING together!!! I rly like this version of LND :D <3

[Monkeyballmania]

Good to see the set is similar to London.

[poseytoesy]

is this the london one? where can i download this song? thanks

[CHEKIExoxo]

They are AMAZING !!! but I have to say I Don't think their voices blended as well as Sierra and Ramin's. Also from all the videos I have seen I've noticed Anna sings a lot faster than sierra. But BRILLIANT BRILLIANT

[echolilycat11]

Just saw the Australian production tonite after hearing mixed review previously and it was stunning and flawless. Highly recommended and I can't wait until it comes out on DVD to watch again! Bravissimo

[redberry0]

good

[flyersphan94]

To be fair, I haven't seen either version except for some clips and photos, but the Australian version looks so stunning! I can't wait until it comes out on DVD!

[thephantomofv]

Question, does this song replace Beneath a Moonless Sky in the London production?

[kendrarussell]

@thephantomofv no, both productions have both "beneath a moonless sky" and "once upon another time". the two songs are back-to-back

[thephantomofv]

@kendrarussell oh thanks, i was hoping the australian production had improved and gotten rid of some of the bad stuff in the london production

[kendrarussell]

@thephantomofv they have changed the song "beneath a moonless sky" a little bit from the london version, but thats about it concerning these two songs

[garrychelsea]

the phantom seems to have borrowed madame girys outfit

[LiamdWinter]

@garrychelsea you are so right! Somebody mixed something up.

[singvic]

She has a beautifu opera voice =D

[literaryromantic]

@singvic She trained for opera, not musical theatre, so it makes sense.

[garydgrant]

no acting!!!!!!! get in to charector!! great voices though

[LESSCOMMONMORESENSE]

I REALLY HATE how people can hate on the Melbourne production when they haven't even seen it. No, it is not a carbon copy of the London one (it's very Tim Burton and very Melbourne-like) and yes, it can be seen as a stand alone piece so no one misses out! Stop putting doubts into other people's mind that this is a piece of crap because it isn't. The Melbourne production is Brilliant! The only problem I had with it was that Madame Giry sounded more German than French, and that is annoying!

[BusinessDog2000]

@LESSCOMMONMORESENSE ILU <3

[LESSCOMMONMORESENSE]

@BusinessDog2000 *sends <3 your way* :)

[LESSCOMMONMORESENSE]

Everyone is saying that the Melb production sucks. The London one stays more true to its form from the POTO with the Phantom's tux and frills. But I personally prefer the stage and costumes from the Melb production. The costumes are more 'stylish' with a modern twist and the set is lavishly beautiful. Ben makes such a dashing phantom with his sleeked back hair. I must be on my own, but I like Ben's mask over Ramin's. It curves and contours his face while Ramin's looks flat and store bought.

[LESSCOMMONMORESENSE]

My boyfriend took me to see this for our one year anniversary because I've been obsessed with the phantom for as long as I can remember. I love everything about the Melbourne production, or maybe I'm just biased. I know this was shot some time before the show opened to the public so they still had quite a way to go. They were amazing when I saw them! The stage direction has changed from what you see here and it's so much bettter. The ending had me in tears. They did a wonderful job!

[ScenemoSweetie]

What is this? I think the only redeeming thing about the Melbourne OUAT is the Anna is half decent in this song. The costumes and sets have to go, and so does Ben if I'm honest, he's not very good at all. And the mask is cheap and you can easily see the elastic holding it on. Visually, London is perfect, but this..... just no. No matter how much I love this musical, Webber has changed it in the wrong places, the story was the only thing that needed changing.

[LESSCOMMONMORESENSE]

@ScenemoSweetie What's wrong with a bit of elastic? If you want to stay true to the era, then they wouldn't have had double sided tape! And what's wrong with the story? Everything made sense to me. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have reworked it for everyone else to pick at its faults AGAIN. You haven't seen the whole set nor the costumes, you can't base your judgement simply from a few online (press released) snippets. This will be the dvd version, not the London one. That should speak for itself.

[BwayBoundChristian]

For a moment I was wondering why Erik was wearing a dress then realized he was wearing a trench coat.

Okay.

[audiesgirl]

I really want to like this show but it's gone from bad to worse. There is NO direction, the actors are too wooden. They are plopped in a cleaver set and their "sing" buttons pushed. It's theatrics over theater. We deserve better. C'mon ALW, admit your mistake, release a vid of the original stage Phantom, everybody will be happy and you'll make another g'zillion dollars.

[BusinessDog2000]

@audiesgirl What was it like when you saw the Melbourne produciton?

[fremontdenver]

1:51 christine rolls eyes

[chaumander1]

ben sounded better when i saw him a few days ago. maybe he grew into the role. I love him here as well

[gemmyvy]

Anna and Ben are perfect together:)

[twilitdragon264]

I would love to see Beautiful/The Beauty Underneath because I know that's completely different from London's. As with Beneath a Moonless Sky

[heringtonchick]

@twilitdragon264 I want to see Beneath a Moonless Sky for BOTH productions! I have been dying to see it since I bought the soundtrack.

[daniellemachuletz18]

@BarrelsPolesandJack im just suggesting him! and i know he's not the phantom

[BarrelsPolesandJack]

I like the girl playing Christine in this, but I don't like this guy as the Phantom at all. Ramin is much better, in my opinion, and Gerard Butler, too.

[daniellemachuletz18]

terrific! could it be gerard butler? i like him as a phantom!

[BarrelsPolesandJack]

@daniellemachuletz18 No.