Phantom Question

[actor]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 3:15pm

I could not find anything when I searched for a similar topic so I'll post this question -

Does anyone know how the Phantom Disappears at the end of The Phantom of the Opera?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 3:19pm

http://www.phantomoftheopera.com/modules/article/view.article.php/c7/18

[Broadwayboy2631]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 3:19pm

Isn't there a trap door in the chair, or something like that?

[actor]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 3:25pm

Thanks Liz

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 3:30pm

The Phantom sits on the throne, covers himself with his cape... and the actor slips through the trapdoor in the back the of the chair.

[mrslovett7]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 7:22pm

I've heard many times before, but I'm hoping it's not true-some people have said that the actors lip-sync. They don't sing live anymore in the show. Maybe that's true for the title song sequence since there's like 30 doubles all over the place.

Tell me what's true.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 7:29pm

That is really interesting. I don't understand the cross bit though because when I saw it in Boston, the Phantom came from behind the cross. Could someone possibly elaborate?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 8:11pm

Tell me what's true.

I linked something, ya know...

[mrslovett7]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 8:53pm

did it say anything about lip-synching?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 8:57pm

Don't people poke around anymore?

http://www.phantomoftheopera.com/modules/article/view.article.php/c7/17

[Dover]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 11:09pm

In general, everything on those two links are correct. One error in explaining the doubles in the journey: the real Phantom and Christine do the second and third cross on the travelator, it's not the doubles the whole time. I suppose it could be different somewhere around the world, but I've never heard of it.

And yeah, the Overture is recorded, with the live orchestra playing along with the recorded part for the second half. I can't explain why it HAS to be that way, although I can think of a few advantages.

[marypoppsfan!]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 11:23pm

im positive on febuary 22, 2006 howard mcgillin is a friend of my aunts and we went backstage and he showed us how the throne scene was done he huddles together takes the mask off, leaves it there and then sleeps in to a trap door. he said every time he did that scene he would have to fall on mattresses under the stage so he wouldnt get hurt

[MaronaDavies]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 1:02am

im positive on febuary 22, 2006 howard mcgillin is a friend of my aunts and we went backstage and he showed us how the throne scene was done he huddles together takes the mask off, leaves it there and then sleeps in to a trap door. he said every time he did that scene he would have to fall on mattresses under the stage so he wouldnt get hurt

Are you sure you're not confusing this with other tricks in the show? Raoul does jump through a trap door onto a mat (never a mattress!!) when he crosses the bridge to the lake. Also, there's the Phantom's trap door in Masquerade. But...there's no trap door on the throne, it doesn't work that way at all. Also, to the best of my knowledge, the Phantoms aren't actually allowed to discuss how the throne works. Also, the Phantom isn't even wearing his mask in that scene.


Updated On: 12/10/06 at 01:02 AM

[Dover]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 2:45am

Yeah, seriously, there isn't a single word in that description that's true, except that there is indeed a man named Howard McGillin, who plays the Phantom, does something in a throne, resulting in a mask.

Yes, MaronaDavies, you're right that anyone working on the show isn't allowed to reveal how the throne works because it's a real magic trick, and the show abides by the magician's code of honor, just for that one effect. Obviously people do get told, but AFAIK everyone makes an effort to confine it to trusted friends. Based on the number of times I get asked, I'd say even in the industry it's not that well known. If I'm introduced to someone in a bar or at a party, and they start a new topic with "You know what I've always wanted to know...?" you can bet that's it. I've developed something of a sixth sense for knowing when the question's coming, even from a completely unrelated topic, which is good cause it gives me a few extra seconds to decide what the answer will be for that person. I've been asked twice this week. Both got the "magic trick" answer.

[marypoppsfan!]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 8:55am

it looked like a matttress and yes he is not wearing a mask but once he is under the stage the tarp door stays open for like 25 seconds and he puts a mask they re. it might have been a mat but im not sure it had alot of shees on top of it

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 9:57am

Cripes. Learn how to type.

[KQuill]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 12:39pm

The descrption in that link is correct. Also, the mask that Meg picks up is not the same mask that the Phantom wears - it is a different one that is designed to stand up differently.

And if it's done with a trapped door, how do they do it on tour then?

[Tag]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 3:10pm

Please, I was told when I was 10 years old how the Phantom disappears...no one in the show can keep their mouth shut.

Also they would not use a mattress, as you would bounce off a mattress but not off a mat.

And the tour still uses trap doors, but not as extensively as a sit down production. The tour only books into venues that have sufficient trap space and they can slightly alter the set to conform to the space.

[NJRae]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 3:41pm

Great site . . . thanks for the link Liz!

marypoppsfan!: I don't know . . . something about that whole story sounds a bit off. My dad has a friend who is really good friends with Mr. McGillin (Mr. McGillin is dating one of this guys relatives) and I have been backstage to meet him (my sister has twice) and neither time did he even seem to think of taking us back to show us how things worked. Now, maybe you asked him for a tour or your aunt asked him to give you one, but I don't know. Something about that whole story just doesn't sit right with me. *shrugs*

[winston89]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 6:53pm

Now, I never have and never will see phantom. But, I don't understand why they would have a voice over if the actors are backstage. Couldn't they just sing there parts from backstage? I know that shows do do that if they need to have mor voices in a song but not all those people on stag.e Also, If the actors doing christiine and the phantom are in the title song why would they have doubles? It seems that it would justbe easier to put the same actors the song.

[actor]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 7:46pm

You need to see the show to understand.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 8:54pm

I strongly doubt you got too much info. about the throne scene from a phantom or anyone connected to the cast, in public. The backstage is jam packed with the folding staircase, over head dummies, candle stands, boat.... Really they do not let people do more than peek in there.

[KQuill]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 10:13pm

Couldn't they just sing there parts from backstage?

Because they have to climb up a steep ladder at the same time! And at that point Christine would be far too out of breath to have a prayer at the high E.

[Tag]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 11:24pm

Really they do not let people do more than peek in there.

Not if you know the right people

[AStack75]

Posted: 12/10/06 at 11:37pm

-----The Phantom of the Opera, title song. All the singing is recorded, for reasons noted above. The Phantom's "Sing, my angel of music" etc are not recorded. One or two people have sworn that the San Francisco production switches to live singing once the Phantom and Christine are on stage, but I've no idea whether that's correct.-----

Wow. I didn't realize this.