The Phantom of the Opera leaves Stuttgart

(musical-cocktail – Heft 51 – Juni-Juli 2004)

18 months and 23 days the famous Phantom kept the artists and the directors of the Paris opera imprisoned in its spell. For 642 times Raoul tried to release his loved Christine from the mysterious empire in the underground. Nearly 900,000 spectators in Stuttgart have been enchanted by the most famous love story around the disfigured phantom, the young ballet girl Christine and her youth friend Raoul.

The dernière of a musical is not really a reason to celebrate, the 1,800 spectators of the last show of “Phantom der Oper” actually nevertheless did it. For twenty minutes standing ovations for the artists and co-workers of the theatre. Never ending applause for the entire ensemble, the orchestra and all co-workers behind the stage, which had made this last show to a very special.

A sea of roses and red hearts rained on stage. Fans discharged the Phantom with the signature “Es gibt ein Wiedersehen!” – We will meet again (to translate difficulty)

When the curtain had its finale call, many spectators left the theatre with tears in their eyes. Only the many flowers between the seat rows betrayed that “real” men cried tears and some women were close to a faint a few minutes before.

A bitter pill of special kind caused the absence of Ian Jon Bourg - because of an illness he unfortunately could not play the dernière himself.

Thomas Schulze (Phantom alternate) took over the role. In his words of thanks to the public he wished Ian Jon Bourg that he will get well soon and appreciated the work of the co-workers of the theatre, who, invisible for the public, made the “Phantom der Oper” possible.

Ian Jon Bourg (First cast Phantom) the day before by phone:

“I am proud of having played the “Phantom der Oper” here in Stuttgart. Phantom is and will remain an absolute classical under the musicals. In the last 18 months the whole ensemble brought a fantastic achievement with always highest employment on stage.

The largest and most important for us was always to offer a three hour first class entertainment to our

audience, in which they could forget their every day life and could dive into our world of musical.”

Maike Switzer (First cast Christine):

“All co-workers were so fantastic. It was an honour for me to have played Christine. I love this role most of all.”

During the audience left the theatre, the stage technicians prepared the development of the impressive scenery and the large accessories.

In only eight weeks, exactly on 18. July 2004, the theatre curtain will be lift again and will give free the stage for MAMMA MIA, the musicals with the hits of ABBA.

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