I've just remembered why I never see matinee performances - kid alert! Went with my sister and friend to see, and had the closest seats yet (row G, stalls). Ok, I highly recommend that if you're gonna see, splash out and get seats around this area, as you'll full appreciate the show! Have always seen the chandelier from up at the top or too far back, so at the end of the first act when it drops, I nearly threw my hands over my head! Heh, and now I FINALLY know what the Phantom looks like! Have always sat too far back, and simply thought, "What? Ok, so he wears a wig, not THAT scary is he, Christine?" Lovely make up ;) And omigawd, that 'dummy' which pops out of the mirror is a real person! On 3 occasions I've belived that to be fake, But after seeing 'it' get up and push the mirror offstage, I was finally convinced....

John Owen-Jones wasn't on, which I can't say I wasn't disappointed over. But his standby, Earl Carpenter had no problems reaching the notes, though perhaps didn't hold them on as long as that brilliant Welsh fellow. But mmm, he really is quite a sexy Phantom (did I just type that??). He looked rather innocent, and didn't scream as much, so I wasn't as scared of him. An odd remark, but his eyebrow isn't drawn on as 'harsh', so he didn't look quite as evil! Sung wonderfully in the final lair scene; honestly didn't think Christine was going to leave for a second. (I still say they should have a matinee once a month where the story ends differently, and the Phantom ends up with Christine!) Ha, at the end of the first act, whilst fuming in that kitsch gold angel-thingy, his hat fell off! I really wish I'd caught it!! Not that I'd have kept it........for too long....as forever is a big step......but anyways! Rest of the cast were absolutely fantastic, great properly being able to see the facial expressions (Raoul is wet after swimming, who'd have thought it??). Last time I'll have seen Ramin Karimloo as Raoul - he leaves in September for Les Miserables (FANTASTIC! Another excuse to visit the show). Katie Knight Adams sang her best yet, hit all those incredibly high (and painful) notes, big clap for her :D Understudy on for Carlotta, shall have to find out who, but she was so funny!

Had rows and rows of kids surrounding us, and all were well behaved EXPECT for those next to my sister and a few on front. All kept fiddling with each other, y'know, whilst the musical is being performed. David got so angry he ended up hitting the guy on front's chair, then flying back, making Asti look like the culprit, ha! The girl next to my sister said, "Dunno what this is about. Summat about masks or summat."