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  • Your not suppose to tke pictures through performamces!

  • I'm dying to see the movie also. Gosh it's amazing that Webber wrote :) Always amazing!!!!

  • I Love This

  • I saw the movie tonight and it was so good!

  • I just went to go see the movie! Absolutely beautiful!! I cannot believe I am saying this, but this is almost better than the first! Why? Because the first couldn't make me cry. Bravo. :)

  • I can't help it! I learned the songs from Sierra and Ramin. They are my favorites!

  • i love phantom of the opera and this is amazing but the camera clicking and beeping ruined it loads! people need to stop and listen to music for once! x

  • I like the idea of this opening the show, it sets up a flashback... however, I don't like the lyric changes.

  • this is possibly one of the greatest performances i ever seen, absolute credit to this phantom for capturing the tortured mind of the phantom and pouring it into the audience. Watching this performance never fails to make me freezing as I am covered in goose bumps. Every single movement made has its significance and some hidden meaning, it is almost poetic to watch.

  • EVERYONE! Both these singers are GREAT singers singing a beautiful piece of music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • I like the emotion put into this. It's hard to say who's better, one because of opinions and two because each new phantom puts a his own take onto the role. What would you rather have the same exact performance every time, or something new to the original?

  • can i just say im MAD that they changed around the song from the middle of act 1 to the BEGINNING? thats so lame! i liked the ORIGINAL! gah!

  • Gerard Butler singing in the original Phantom movie was the BEST, and yes it was his own singing voice, he was not dubbed. I've seen the broadway show live, I'm a theater buff, and Butler's voice suited Phantom better than this guy's or any others I've heard. Maybe they will eventually make this into a real film as they did the first one and Butler will play Phantom again, PLEASE!

  • @jannieja butler was not the best, like it's okay. It most certainly not the best, he kinda sounded like he was constipated. They also changed key's for the music to fit butlers voice because he couldnt hit the higher notes. Andrew Lloyd Webber regrets the casting for the movie.

  • @jannieja he may not have been dubbed, but he was auto-tuned... he doesn't have the natural range for the role.

  • @jannieja They did make a movie, Aussie style, and it is amazing, beautiful and the most powerful. I fell heart first listening to Gerard, and then also to Ramin for Til I hear you sing, but after listening to Ben in the movie, which is live, not recorded and voiced over, there's nothing greater than him.

  • Sorry Australians do it better than Iranians ;)

  • I prefer Ben to Ramin because he sounds older and more tortured. 

  • @JessTheCool1 I agree. also this guy seems to be older which he should be.

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  • great phantom!! Love his stage presence!!

  • SO FREEKING AMAZING LUV IT SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!

    

  • I quite literally got goosebumps. Awesome.

  • I love all four of them. Ramin, Ben, Sierra, Anna. They are all exceptionally brilliant. I loved both London and Melbourne production. Melbourne had crazy color that made my eyes pop and my mouth go 'wow' but London had the appropriate darkness one would expect with the Phantom that made sense. Im a Phantom fan and have no trouble accepting both.

  • this guy is good with a lower voice but i personally love ramin i saw him live in london for the 25th anniversary of phantom and i live in California :) but i bought the love never dies DVD so i cant wait to watch it and hear this guy at his best :)

  • Regardless of what you think of Ramin's version, you can't deny that this is well done.

  • IMHO those who especially like Ben's version and voice can't still come to terms with the fact that Crawford isn't PO anymore :)

  • awesome australian :) maybe i'll buy the dvd.

  • what the hell is with all the cameras clicking and beeping, are there no recording rules in melbourne?

  • @DrinkOmally this performance was the media premiere, hence the cameras.

    london would have had one too i imagine.

  • @DrinkOmally it was a promotional performance, hence why this video exists.

  • Absolutely love this song, will never get sick of it, and love ben, he's amazing, and i gotta say i like him better than the london version, as have the album but i work at the capitol so hear these songs every day and get the chills every time!

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  • @Gilotheking95 I thought there wouldn't be any difference in the story, but this staging of the show looks much more like the theatre version of Phantom (the portrait of Christine, the Phantom's costume, the organ, even the lighting - It all strongly reminds me of the original POTO. The London LND reminded me of the 2004 film.) I think I prefer the way the Australian show looks.

  • I do feel very sorry for the Phantom! He really does miss Chirstine very much!

  • wow

  • Good Song!

  • I also love how the portrait moves, you notice it from 4:29 :)

  • @missdramateen Holy crap I never noticed that! That's so cool! :D

  • I don't know why, but to me, the Australian production of LND looks much more like a sequel to the original Phantom of the Opera than the London production did (even though the story is probably the same.) The London show was beautiful, but it looked more like a sequel to the POTO film with Gerard Butler than it did a sequel to the stage show.

  • @PassTheMarmalade1957 the story is actually modified in the AU version to the original London version

  • That is a very nice number!

  • Saw this show in Sydney last night (Thursday 19th January, 2011) as I sadly missed it in Melbourne. Now, you can watch this video, buy the DVD but it is 937875983749856739867 times better live. It's so powerful and has come a long way and improved since it opened in London. If you have the chance, PLEASE DON'T MISS THIS SHOW!!!!

  • Huh, this is really good. The lyrics are changed a bit from Ramin's version, but overall I think it's fantastic!

  • Really lovely performance.

  • Just saw this on Premier night in Sydney on Thursday 12th. Amazing. Sat right in the front row & felt his breath! Boy he can belt it out! What a voice. Amazing show & Anna. Wow, she was amazing too. Fabulous show. I bawled all through the first half...So many questions were answered and pieced the story together beautifully. A few references to their past...beautiful, so very beautiful...

  • I personally believe that Sierra's voice has a much more pure and emotional quality than Anna's, however Sierra's tone sometimes irritates me... Anna has a much more operatic and dramatic quality which I adore... Really can feel that she is a properly trained opera singer singing musical theatre from an opera side.

  • OMG i saw Ben perform last night at the Capitol Theatre and he was so amazing! They all were!! I have listened to Ramin's via youtube voice and I really like it and maybe its just because I have heard in person but I prefer his voice, it seems stronger and deeper!! I was in tears much the entire performance!!

  • good voice, but prefer Ramin's :)!

  • This is such a beautiful song. We just uploaded a unique version of this with lyrics if anyones interested :O)

  • First, my question: In the AUS production, is this taking place before or after the "Coney Island Waltz?"

    Now, I won't engage in the AUS vs UK war, but I simply adore Ben Lewis as Phantom. His voice has this aged....almost "oaky" timbre (hard to explain) and this presence that is just so perfect for the character. And I SO prefer that huge subtly moving portrait of Christine rather than the moving mannequin! The story is not without its (large) flaws, but I cannot wait for the dvd!!

  • @fishtoes it takes place before coney island waltz. that song follows right after this one

  • @kendrarussell Thank you! It would be beautiful either way, but I love the idea of "Till I Hear You Sing" leading into the waltz - adds GREAT suspense! It also means the entire musical starts with the "Aerie" theme, which is perfect. I always thought it was one of the most haunting instrumentals I've ever heard. I'm so glad they tidied this musical up. I always thought it had potential to be good.

  • @fishtoes the coney island waltz from this version is on youtbue. i like that it shows the phantom standing above them all while they are singing

  • @fishtoes You described his voice perfectly. And yes, being neutral is probably a good idea. His voice is so...oaky. Almost ancient, but in a good way.

  • That picture is insane... so much better than the robo-christine!

  • @Engenue I could not possibly agree more. Robo-Christine was confusing & a little cheesy.

  • SO great. well done Ben, we aussies are proud of you. and while you really cant compare the casts, my honest opinion is that Ben's voice is far superior to Ramin's, its better trained & better handled. Also Anna, while a different dramatic intensity to Sierra, her voice is of a nicer tone & of better breath support because she is a trained opera singer. Sierra is much more a 'musical theatre' singer, &to me is not preferable as Christine. I cant stand that 'poppy' sound that sometimes creeps in!

  • @Kate1620 Thank you!! Sierra is very talented & has a great Christine "look" (DEM EYES), but there's very much a Disney princess quality to her voice (well, she played Ariel on stage). I don't mean that as an insult - she's very emotive with a great range. But for a slightly older, more professional (if somewhat inactive) soprano, Anna has it pegged.

  • @TheThreedudesclub umm...wow lol, he is amazing. and if you really think that, you have NO idea what good singing is, obviously.

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  • I saw the show in melbourne it was wonderful iam back from melbourne now yesturday go and see it

  • This is nothing to seeing Ben Lewis perform this live. His voice literally rings through you and you have goose bumps for the entire song! Such an amazing phantom!!

  • Just one word.... Brilliant. I saw both the London show and the Melbourne show. The Melbourne show was definitely an improvement... and I'm sorry but Ben and Anna were both so much better in their roles than the London cast. Ben's voice was by far superior.

  • @richardb272 Out of interest aside from casting obviously, what are the differences between the two?

  • @TheJacksForAllTrades The biggest difference is right at the beginning. The whole start of the show was changed so that it opens with "Till I hear you sing" rather than the slower start in London. The end of the show is also different. The lyrics in some of the songs were also changed and it sounded less cheesy than the London performance. The set itself is also quite different. The Australian production has been much more innovative. Overall it ran more smoothly than the original.

  • @richardb272 Thanks for the info :)

  • @richardb272 I am so glad they slashed the original opening. They say if you can't captivate a reader in a book's first page, you've lost them. Same goes with musicals. i was bored to tears listening to Giry & Fleck prattle on about something-or-other. This creates SUCH suspense, especially flowing into the "Waltz."

  • This is a brilliant Phantom!

  • What is the beeping and scaping noise that I can hear?

  • @WhimsicalBlades i think it is their press rehearsal/show. they are probably taking pro-shots of the actors in the show.

  • The Reason i like this a little more than amin is because i like it when the phantoms voice is based more around the operatic voice Anthony Warlow, Michael Crawford and John Owen Jones gave it, made the character The Phantom of the OPERA, not saying Ramin is bad, has fucking amazing but i like Ben's operatic style beter, though Ramin has more comfortable range to him as i see it

  • I like the way you see him at the beginning where he is lying on the piano then gets up and starts composing before promptly screwing it up, it shows how much his music is affected by the absence of Christine and I feel sorry for him because all of his songs are inspired by Christine :(

  • saw this production ben lewis was great live. the sound isn't good as being there.

  • Aww don't compare singers!!! Yes Ramin is bloody amazing, but Ben is as well!!! I've seen him as the Phantom twice now (third time in a week and a half) and his voice never fails to give me goosebumps...my nan, who is a massive Phantom fan, she saw Anthony Warlow and Rob Guest as the Phantom, but she was so so impressed with Ben

  • I'm really not a fan of these "improved" lyrics. The original lyrics to this song were so much better, half these feel really out of place somehow.

  • I hate the camera clicking sound I hear....... irritating..........

  • @sunfire1975 its a press conference.

  • GEEZ, the clicking sounds ruin the AWESOME SONG!!!!!!

  • @asujepang and beeping too

  • @asujepang its a press showing

  • He sings well, but he doesn't sound like he really means it.

  • Oh, I don't know why but I did love the giant unnecessary kitschy statue, whose hair hung all over the stage in the London production. Kinda sad, that's it gone in this one.

  • I love him way more that Ramin. But Anthony Warlow will always be the Phantom for me.

  • Me: (hears the song, swoons)

    Me: (hears the song again, swoons)

    Me: (hears the song again, swoons)

  • i saw this 1 week ago and ben defiantly sang better than now he has improved dramatically for the role, not just voice but emotion as well. he is now, like, perfect... :)

  • @CHEKIExoxo I agree that he has improved over the season. Yes, he is perfect for the role. I would even say that he challenges Ramin.

  • @angusargyle i think he does challenge ramin because ramin has an AMAZING voice, but his voice suits the role of the phantom in poto, and bens also has an equally amazing voice, but it suits the love never dies phantom. thats why im so glad that they got sierra and ramin to do the 25th, and that they are making the dvd release with anna and ben :D

  • omg omg this is soo romantic for me just because my names christine omg omg

  • I'm so glad they ditched the creepy Christine doll and the Phantom's ruffly open shirt.

  • this whole show I cannot describe it words, it was just beyond anything, thank you to everyone who made this show possible you have given me a once in a lifetime experience

  • I adore this musical, the songs are amazing, the set, the lighting and sound!! and the cast are phenomenal!!!

    I saw it for my b'day earlier this year and I'm taking my nan to see it in a few weeks ...I can't wait to see it again!

  • @loopylupin09

    Saw it last Saturday and agree with your comments - though not too many of the songs linger in one's memory.

  • @Crintingnut This song, Beneath a moonless sky, and once upon another time are the ones that get stuck in my head

  • but this musical doesn't really fit to the beginning of "The Phantom of the Opera"...the prologue, when roul is buying this monkey....

  • I like Ben, but I much prefer the original script with Ramin. I understand Melbourne's was better received, but the London cast is what I've been dying to see.

  • @hellmonkey86 Me too. I like Ben's voice, but I dont like him as Phantom. I do not know why..

  • I saw the show last july in London with the original cast and before the changes to the plotline, or whatever it was they changed. Haven't watched the new one and I have resisted from looking up what the changes were because I want to see it in person. So now I'm waiting on the opportunity to watch the new version, but considering that I live on the other side of the world that's unlikely...unless they bring the show to New York!!! Please bring this show to Broadway!!!

  • @titadanceismypassio are you going to see the dvd of it?

  • @kendrarussell whoa! they're releasing a dvd version? Do you mean an adaptation of the sequel to follow the Phantom of the Opera movie with Gerard Butler or an actual dvd release of the live show itself? I would definetly see it...but there's just something about watching this sort of thing at a theater and having the experience of seeing it live, so I'd probably wait until after having watched a performance to watch the dvd.

  • @titadanceismypassio the dvd is going to be of the australian version, and it's of the live show. it was filmed in september and uk is releasing it in march. the facebook australia page hints that some countries may get it in february. there are no other plans right now for future productions over than rumors of a uk tour and the show going to sydney. this dvd will possibly decide the future of the show

  • @kendrarussell Thanks for the info! I didn't know! I will probably end up watching it eventually, whether i get to see the new show live or not. It really depends on how much willpower I have left by then hahaha. The curiosity is killing me!

  • Just saw this tonight in Melbourne. I got shivers in this scene and it takes a lot to give me shivers from music!! Ben Lewis was absolutely fantastic! And the set design and production was just amazing. I want to see it again already!

  • I was lucky enough to see this production in Melbourne and it was nothing less than fantastic. Ben Lewis was a brilliant Phantom and the entire cast did a great job. Best musical I've ever seen!

  • Just realised that at the beginning you can make out the words from 'Phantom Confronts Christine'; from out of ugliness such light, from out of darkness such a flame, in him my wrongness is made right, and let he loathes me just the same, so let him shun me in disgust, let him flee this cursed face, if I must hide from him I must......'

  • A much older mature voice for the phantom, even as a fan of Ramins, I can see this is much more in keeping with the character. Well done and good luck to the Aussie cast x

  • @twistywillow kinda ironic that ramin is a little bit older. imo, both productions and all casts involved were top notch :)

  • How did you get this footage as you wern"t aloud??

  • @rachelbrickell The australian version was better received, hence why it was filmed instead of the london one.

    This video was made when the au version first opened, ben has improved dramatically since then.

    i have seen both versions, and ben is just as good as ramin. its not fair to base him on just one song.

    besides, ramin is going to be on the phantom 25 dvd.

  • @fuego577 I saw it when the understudy for Ben was on, he was AMAZING! :D Im going again on sunday and it will probably be Ben playing the Phantom because it is the closing show.

  • @punkprincess2992 he should be there for the closing performance. if you miss him, at least there will be a dvd right? ;)

  • @fuego577 Yep! :D i discovered that there was going to be a dvd yesterday :P i was excited all over again xD

  • @fuego577 he was amazing in the 25 show

  • @rachelbrickell

    i went to the melbourne production last month and it was amazing

    i have got the london cd and its nowhere near as good as this Go Australia!

  • @PAULSPOTSWOOD I think that out of all the actors who have played the Phantom ever, Ben Lewis (the phantom in this video) is by far the best. I absolutely loved the show and I so hope I can be where he is someday.

  • This show was outstanding when I saw it! I never cry and after I saw the show I was in tears because of the performance that Ben performed he had such emotion through the entire show u would believe he was the Phantom because he played the role so amazingly. I tell all who reads this go and see it! because it wil change your life forever!! I love love never dies <3

  • The Melbourne Production from what I've seen in videos looks far better then the london production, I wish I could see it.

  • @LilttleMoney at least we'll get a dvd of it

  • christine the portrait's hands move between 4:27 and 4:33 !!!

  • @CHEKIExoxo its probably a projection

  • @CHEKIExoxo - yes, she moves her right hand with the finger pointing up. 

  • is it just me, or is christine at the back moving ??

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  • Ben as the Phantom is simply the best.

  • I saw this in London and Melbourne and Melbourne was far and beyond the better show. Ben as the O

  • I saw this lastnight WOW WOW WOW its amazing -3

  • Is he Ramin? No. Is he amazing? Yes. That's my opinion. Sidenote: it's so annoying hearing snapshots being taken throughout the whole thing! It's very distracting to listen to!

  • I saw the performance last night and it was absolutely brilliant!! Loved it!!

  • This is absolutely phabulous live. Ben is amazing :)

  • i saw this production a couple of weeks ago while visiting Melbourne - this song and Ben, who sings it...were amazing. then the rest of the show totally sucked! what a contrived story line! what the heck happened to dear loving Raoul??? his character totally becomes an ass! And that kid needed to get shot - not Christine!

  • @maestromuffin1 Raoul was a sitter for PTSD at the end of POTO- almost hung, failed to save Christine, & watched Christine sacrifice herself for him. Raoul turns to alcohol to cope and gambles away his fortune--> lower self esteem. Still tries to protect her though "no pictures" and is apalled by the vulgarity of the crowd. Christine sings "leave the hurt behind" after "What a Dreadful Town" but it gives me the feeling it's not the first time. " Why does she love me" reveals his despair

  • @lizlk you sound like the author!!! lol ok - I can accept your reasons for why our dear Raoul has become so - oh, how shall one say it????...a bi...ch? lol

  • Well, that just confirms it: Ramin owns this song. I really can't feel any passion in this. He sings very well though.

  • when you actually see this live, words cannot describe the emotion you feel from the phantom, its just brilliant :)

  • Ben Lewis is no Anthony Warlow but he still sounds a whole lot more like a Phantom than Ramin. Ramin's voice is awesome but he just sounds like a Raoul to me. I can't wait to see this in Melbourne next month!

  • For me Anthony Warlow will always be the Phantom, way better than Ramin, but I really like this ben guy. I may try go see more of the stuff he appears in.

  • when i saw this in melb i cried after this, JUST THE FIRST SONG, THE FIRST FRIGGIN SONG! no musical EVER has caused me to do that.

  • You Rock!! I'm so sad the London production is closing and I'll never get to see the show.

  • I saw this musical, and he was just perfect! It brought me to tears.

  • I second that motion! He practically swallowed the song... if the song was a moving line, this performance is definitely a straight line....there's like no climax in the performance....Why did the London production close??? We're talking about the original masterpiece and this copycat.... no offense Ben...I trust you're good.. but Ramin suits the song better...

  • @ivanwonghc this video is from when the show first opened. he has improved dramatically since then

  • @ivanwonghc I don't think the London production was selling enough seats but I'm not for sure.

  • @karenpng88 I'd like to think so. He is after all the 25th anniversary phantom. I've completely not watched the musical but heard him sang live at a concert. His interpretation of Till I Hear You Sing is really what you hear on the recording. It brought me to tears..Gosh! It was great!

  • He is most certainly no Ramin, where is the passion???? Nice enough voice but glad I saw the real deal.

  • @rachelbrickell Gotta agree with you there, Ramin has SO much passion when he sings this! If it does go to New York he Definitely deserves the part!

  • Ramin is still my Phantom, BUT I do much, MUCH prefer the sets and costumes in Oz :)

  • I love this Phantom. His voice is so awesome.

  • @Kristof1993 no argument there.