Part 1 - Behind the Mask: Canadian Phantom of the Opera Documentary

[Budderfly1978]

Thank you for posting this. I used to have this on a VHS (taped from TV as well) and lost it over the years.

[dotmacis]

This production debuted 22 years ago this very night ... :o)

[IMbirdieful]

Yeah, but maybe the actual STORY of the Phantom had existed for centuries. The actual Parisian Opera House IS centuries old.

[jazzandmint]

To be honest, if you look at the story from a certain lens it could be considered centuries old. Classic French stories, such as Beauty and the Beast, as well as Goethe's Faust, were almost certainly influences for the story.

[LoveShouldDie]

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[davidlabelle361]

I hate being compelled to bust balls, but Deepdesert hits the nail on the head. I am a self-proclaimed Phantom History Guru, and I am shocked that the narrator of this documentary says the whole "entertaining for centuries" bit. However, it is not the narrator's fault. What the fuck? If you are going to film a documentary, RESEARCH THE DATES FIRST OR DON'T FILM IT AT ALL! I mean, if a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing right.

[at1212b]

@davidlabelle361

Question I have is the way this documentary presents it, or maybe it really was like that, but is't it alot easier to use or acknowledge the template set by the Original in London? As well as sending over a few cast members such as the dancers, fx, behind the scenes, to help.

As well, send key members for a show in London that way they can see what it's supposed to be about vs having to reinvent the wheel.

[ImUrFanGirl]

COLM WILKINSON *FANGIRL SCREAMS*

HE MADE THE BEST JEAN VALJEAN

[TheWanderingchild]

3:32

What a shot! :O<3

[Deepdesert]

"the story of the phantom has gripped people for centuries"???

It was only written in 1911!

[MyArtIsLoved731]

@Deepdesert A century in 1 day! XD

[DragonHeart06]

I love you Colm-but please, take off the vest xD

Thank you for posting!

[dotmacis]

FYI, this isn't the original version of the Behind the Mask documentary. The first version was aired right before the show opened in September of 1989, before the Phantom music video was made. That version showed more clips of the restoration of the theatre, where the video would have been. I have both versions on VHS.

[buttertartlover]

I edited out the Pantages restoration bits so the clips would not be so long on youtube.

[HouseOnSunset]

Is it just me or is EVERY TIME an international production of a "big" RUG show is staged, they always make a big deal about restoring the theatre that hosts the show?!

[phantomofopera91]

i guess they just want it to look nice lol

[JudaPrising]

well it depends on what production you are talking about. If it's the musical "Phamtom" then the restoration of the theatre it's in IS gonna be a big deal, in a sense. . . only because the theatre itself is part of the production, they want you to feel as though you are in that Opera house in Paris (in some places, that is). Others might need the accomodations and repairs or reworks just so they can house the tech work and equipment that goes into the production. IDK I hope this might help you.

[skycron]

I recall seeing this on the CBC when it first aired in 89/90. I would say our friends at Mirvish picked up the pieces of the Livent implosion pretty well.

[MichaelCrawfordsFan]

This show is so beautiful I can't wait to see it again next month.

[kristinalinda]

For some reason, I'm not sure why, I find it really funny that Colm is wearing a phantom mask vest lol.

[miep8675]

You know what's weird? Colm and Rebecca were in Les Miserables as Valjean and Cosette.

[TWZ95]

Thank you for posting this video. I been looking for this video for a very long time.

[paznoth]

yeah lol

[randomguyme]

Just an FYI The Pantages Theatre is now The Canon Theatre.

[Chrisrex83]

I call it the 'Canon-Pantages' lol---the architecture and restoration is absolutely beautiful so the name pantages suits it much nicer, I think of a circus when I hear the name "canon" :P

[randomguyme]

I agree, I like The Pantages much more. "Canon" just doesn't sound fancy enough for what that theatre is.

[dotmacis]

I once asked a Mirvish representative why the name was changed and was told they didn't want to keep the name of a man who was a convicted child molester (Alexander Pantages).

[at1212b]

Hah, so true. Pantages has a mystique and grandeur sound that theatre represents.