John Owen-Johns' final performance! Let us not speak of the price (my bank account and I are still not on speaking terms), but let us toast the best Phantom there ever was! I am of course extrrrrremely biased, what with *pervy voice* him being my first Phantom and all. But that voice! Must now follow his career wherever he goes; not in a stalkerish way, of course.

The show started with a hitch - Asti and I had been chatting to a lovely Phantom fan beside us about technical mishaps, and so perhaps jinxed the show. The pre-recorded overture cut out, and so the chandelier was left to rise in silence, soon followed by claps and cheers. The lights brightened, and a voice announced something to do with tecnhnical difficulties. Pause, and then the voice said everything was sorted (though this statement was followed by a suspicious-sounding bang...). The overture resumed, as well as the cheering.

Well, what's to say of the performers? JOJ received a gigantic applause after 'Music of the Night' - an excuse to be relieved of excited screams! Really nice hand movements, almost hypnotic, like a snake charmer, or ur, something. Like how he stooped a little near Christine, not just because he's so tall, but perhaps to seem less threatening. Great being close enough to see all his expressions, as opposed to squinting through non-focusing theatre binoculars. Very sad in the final lair scene; don't let her go! He's still very scary though, those screams are haunting (gawd knows what he's like having a tantrum!). "It's over now, the music of the night!" received much applause, and he really did seem upset, as he turned and took in the stage one last time. Now sadly, my mum is more used to Gerard Butler's film interpretation (even though her first Phantom was JOJ!), so she was comparing all night long. "Much more aggressive," she rightly said. "Quite a powerful voice," she understated. "I still like Gerard..." she added, followed by a death glare from me. Ohh she's just being all patriotic 'cos they're both Scots. Were he an axe-murderer, she'd still love him.

Rachel Burell is an amazing Christine, what a voice. Though I kinda wish she wouldn't act so suspicious towards the Phantom. She always seems repulsed by him, and there's no doubt as to whether she'd stay with him (the luggage with Raoul's name stamped on it can almost be seen in the background). BUT I still like her Christine, she's not of the weak variety, nice and gutsy. Still not sure about Oliver Thornton's Raoul - he certainly looks the part, though he was rather aggressive to Christine - snarling at bits, flinging her around semi-violently. JOJ's high-tempered Phantom seems to have rubbed off on them....During the bows when Mr Thornton stepped foward, chest exposed, my mum leaned over and said, "No hair," which made me grin. :D Ahem, as if I'd have thought anything like that. Still love the managers to bits, think they get the cleverest lines. Has Andre (Sam Hiller) had a change of wig? I could have sworn it used to be semi-grey, but now it's a deep brown colour. The grey was the appeal! (I don't think my eyesight's what it used to be). Would be fun to have different coloured wigs though, don't you think? "Hmm, I'm in a bit of a orange mood. Edwina! Fetch me the ginger wig!"

Lot's of cheering and screaming and cheering throughout the bows, and of course a standing ovation :) JOJ wished to make a speech (I was thrilled!) and asked everyone to sit down, aww. He said, "Let me just get a little more comfortable," pulled off the mask, wig, and peeled off half the latex face (threw a bit into the audience, wow and eww). He looked semi-normal, though I was suddenly reminded of Silence of the Lambs...Spoke with that lovely Welsh accent, thanking people - "The orchestra, who are in tune - most of the time!" Then he got a little choked up near the end, was so sad and sweet. Gawd, this man's been in Phantom nearly 4 years, that's longer than some shows run! Was wonderful to hear him speak though; I'm sure there were many dopey-smiling faces in the audience, myself included ;)

Sooo he's off to play Valjean in Les Miserables in a few months time. To hear him sing 'Who Am I' and 'Bring Him Home' live will be.....great!! Totally skint now, hope I can blag a student ticket still by then - this would be my final year! Anyway, fantastic night, cheers John Owen-Jones, have a well-deserved break!