There are some musicals that never get old, no matter how many times you watch them. The Phantom of the Opera is one of them. I first saw it 26 years ago in London’s West End, mesmerised by the swelling overture, dramatic chandeliers, and that hauntingly beautiful score. Fast forward to today, and I’ve just watched it for the fourth time—this round at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore—and I can safely say that the magic still lingers, albeit with a few bumps along the way.
This latest production, currently playing at the Sands Theatre until 22 June 2025, brings with it a mixture of delight and disappointment. While some aspects have been sharpened to near perfection, others, unfortunately, hit a few sour notes—quite literally.
Let’s begin with the star of the show: the Phantom himself. In what I had earlier found out was a fairly last-minute casting switch, Ben Forster stepped into the titular role. It might have been a quick replacement, but you’d never have guessed. From the moment he emerged from the shadows, Forster fully embodied the tortured genius, infusing the character with just the right balance of menace and melancholy. His voice was rich, commanding, and carried a timbre that immediately reminded me of the original West End recordings. There was power in his low registers and a plaintive cry in his falsetto, and in numbers like “Music of the Night,” he completely held the audience in thrall. If anyone was nervous about the last-minute change, Forster laid those fears to rest.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Christine Daaé. Portrayed by Grace Roberts in this production, Christine looked every bit the ingénue—wide-eyed and graceful—but her vocal performance left much to be desired. There was an overuse of vibrato in nearly every phrase, which made her lines sound laboured rather than lyrical. During her duet with the Phantom in the iconic “The Phantom of the Opera,” the crescendo that should have soared fell flat. Her final high notes were swallowed by the orchestral swell, and instead of delivering a spine-tingling climax, it fizzled into background noise. Whether it was a matter of nerves or an imbalance in sound engineering, the result was underwhelming.
It’s a pity, because everything else about this production is designed to impress. The sets are as spectacular as ever. The descent into the Phantom’s underground lair remains one of the most memorable theatrical sequences, with flickering candles and mist rolling across the stage. The masquerade ball dazzles with vibrant costumes and choreographed revelry, while the falling chandelier continues to be a show-stopping moment—even if we all know it’s coming.
The music, of course, is evergreen. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score continues to enchant, and the live orchestra deserves a special mention for its tight, emotive performance. From the thundering organ notes of the overture to the delicate strains of “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” the music remains the emotional heartbeat of the show.
But a musical like Phantom relies heavily on chemistry between its leads, and that, sadly, was lacking here. The emotional tension between the Phantom and Christine never quite hit its peak, and without that electricity, the story loses some of its edge. Raoul, played with competence though not particular flair, also felt like more of a plot device than a fully fleshed-out romantic lead.
Still, it’s hard not to be moved by The Phantom of the Opera, no matter how many times you’ve seen it. There’s something timeless about its tale of beauty, obsession, and unrequited love. Despite some vocal shortcomings in this iteration, it remains a visually and musically arresting experience.
If you’ve never seen Phantom before, this production is still worth catching for the sheer spectacle of it all—especially Ben Forster’s standout turn as the Phantom. And if, like me, you’ve seen it multiple times already, chances are you’ll still find yourself humming “All I Ask of You” on the way home. Because even with its imperfections, The Phantom of the Opera continues to cast its spell.
The Phantom of the Opera runs at Marina Bay Sands’ Sands Theatre until 22 June 2025.
