Love Never Dies

Beyond the spectacular singing, beautiful costumes, and amazing set design, Love Never Dies was a great disappointment. The story is simply not good: plot holes, out-of-character actions, and an absurd ending. I found it difficult to sympathize or identify with the characters. The plot also lacks narrative cohesion, almost as if the entire story is a weak collection of character vignettes. The conflicts of the plot are too dispersed to create a strong narrative. The lyrics also leave something to be desired. The whole thing came off as a musical version of a mediocre fan fiction. This was a very poor follow-up to the incomparable Phantom of the Opera.

I loved it to all who were expecting it to like the first phantom it wasn't supposed to be it's a play all it's own And yes you cant really compare it the the phantom of the opera But it was dark, twisted, and riveting even more so than the first love the twists and turns of the whole story

very powerful, and moving had me in tears at the end the only thing i wish the same cast from the phantom of opera 25th anniversary would have been in it but that's OK the new cast did great

the new setting at coney island was intriguing the new songs were different but great loved the rock themes brought it right up to date with a new audience to appreciate musicals and this phantom story proves that love never dies

Very entertaining film of the musical. Camera work left a lot to be desired, however: too much movement around action shots. Lighting was very dark, and much of the set was constantly in the dark. Yes, of course, much of the set is supposed to be, I guess, in this vehicle, but the people were poorly light frequently, and the focus seemed to be blurry. I wondered if they were trying to shoot "Mame" with Lucille Ball. Really nice score. Clearly a Weber opera with leitmotifs from other shows and particularly "The Phantom". Nice touches throughout. Pretty duets and ballads. Singing was quite fine overall. Anne O'Byrne was quite good. The opening Phantom ballad however was a bit stagy. He was trying to sound too hard, I thought, like the original with the wobbly voice.

Ten years after from the fire in Paris which was thought to have destroyed him, the Phantom is running a Freak Circus on Coney Island. His Paris protegee Christine is lured to New York with the promise of a fee that will settle the gambling debts of her handsome but drippy husband Raoul; they bring their 10-year-old son with them. Raoul doesn't want her to sing for the Phantom.

That's about it as regards story: fairly thin. But if there's less plot in this sequel there are just as many - and better - songs. These alternate between arias for the principals (echoes of Franz Lehar and Ivor Novello, more operetta than opera) and production numbers in the circus which have the look of CHICAGO and the sound, here and there, of themes from STARLIGHT EXPRESS. The routine which presumably ends Act One in theatres, with the circus freaks inside mirrored obelisks, is simply dazzling; and the title song in Act Two and a duet/trio called 'Devil Take the Hindmost' are also outstanding.

The Coney Island set - with hotel settings lowered and revolved in as needed - is much less intricate than the opera house in PHANTOM but it's a visual feast; hard to believe this was built for a show on tour. Costumes also excellent.

Ben Lewis and Anna O'Byrne in the leading roles have very much the sound of Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman from the original, although Lewis has the lofty saturnine look of Christopher Lee's Dracula and Ms O'Byrne often reminded me of Vivien Leigh's Scarlett O'Hara!

The London stage production of LOVE NEVER DIES has not echoed PHANTOM's 25-years and still running: it didn't last even 25 months. The Australian production now on DVD deserves its rave reviews. Both visually and musically it is just as thrilling as the original PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

Saw it live in London in October 2010 and was mesmerized by it. The cast was very different sadly but the story is still the same. I was blessed to get pictures of the cast after the performance and it is one of my favorite musicals altogether. Am glad to see it on film, though the impact is a little weakened. Nevertheless, Christine and her Phantom live again at last, for all of us, we are blessed to have Sir Andrew's gifts carry on their lives. Was disappointed in the removal of it from London completely and if you want to see it live Melbourne is the only place that is showing it. I still have the score rolling through my mind and am touched at the way the new and the old meet paths. Worth a watch and a box of tissue.