EntErtainmEnt
19
Theatre
Marlborough
more you’re drawn into the more
engrossed you become, it just draws
you in.
“Duncan is an amazing director, with
an amazing vision and that is what
people will see,” he says.
For director Duncan Whiting, the
show’s enduring popularity is down
to the relatability of its cast.
“You ask yourself, why has it been
running for so long in London, in
New York and is still running today?
“I think it’s because the audience
becomes involved with the
characters; with Christine and the
Phantom, it’s as simple as that.
“They are people who will fall head
over heels in love with the Phantom,
especially in the early stages. Then
they will have pity for him.
“They’ll be totally wrapped up in
the story of the characters. It will
appeal to the majority, not only to
the ordinary theatre going public
but to those who haven’t been for a
long time.
“That’s why we become so involved,
it’s not just the costumes and the
production and the set, it’s that we
can relate to what we see on stage,”
Duncan says.
Backstage, dust sheets cover some
of the set. The gun-metal grey of a
gondolier peeks outs next to a gilded
seat and a hairbrush lays discarded
on an ornate dressing table.
Samantha Baxter, who plays
Carlotta, walks regally around
backstage, her huge hopped skirt,
swinging slowly like a bell as she
paces, listening to the music that
spills across the building.
The soft sound of ballet shoed feet
landing tenderly on the scuffed
floor out front can just be heard as
choreographer Jeannie Mark puts
the ballet troupe through their
paces.
“Arabesque, stop, step,” she
instructs as legs encased in black
tights whir in unison.
Duncan walks through the bustle, a
notebook and pen in hand.
This show, he says, has a special
feeling to it.
The phantom’s reign of terror
sees him fall madly in love with an
impressionable young soprano and,
obsessed, he devotes himself to
making her a star.
Spencer Kingi plays the Phantom,
alongside Aria Bakker as Christine.
The pair provide a “touch of magic”
to the performance,” Duncan says.
“Phantom is one of the most
interesting characters I’ve had the
pleasure to deal with over the years.
“He’s a multi-faceted character,
going from the greatest lover to a
maniacal nightmare.
“Fortunately, we have such an actor
in Spencer that he can give the role
the real justice that the phantom
deserves.
“Spencer could play Phantom
anywhere in the world and Aria is
the ideal Christine,” he says.
Standing in wardrobe, surrounded
by rack upon rack of satin and
tulle, Aria, stands patiently as she
prepares to get into character.
For the Canadian-born actress, the
production marks her first role with
Blenheim Musical Theatre.
“It is a role,” she says, “I am grateful
to get.”
“They took a chance on me and it’s
been a lot of work, but oh, it’s been
so much fun, and everyone has
been lovely.
“There are some days where I really
do feel like Christine. She’s kind of
spacey to be honest, a bit lost.
“There’s an innocence about her, a
naivety but that changes when she
realises she’s been taken advantage
of.
“It’s such a well written, dramatic
show and Spencer’s really awesome,
he’s so even-keeled. But when he’s
in his mask and cloak, it’s easy to
believe he’s the phantom,” she says.
Think Of Me, Angel Of The Music,
Music Of The Night, All I Ask Of
You, Masquerade and the title
song About The Phantom Of The
Opera are just some of the major
numbers.
The winner of seven 1988 Tony
Awards, including best musical, the
production continues to enthral
audiences all over the world.
The production will run for just
ten shows at the ASB Theatre and
Duncan is quietly confident tickets
will sell out.
To book tickets visit the box office at
the ASB Theatre Marlborough, call
0800 842 538 or visit ticketek.co.nz