THE West End has been brought to Workington as a local amateur dramatic society puts on a dazzling display with smash hit musical Phantom of the Opera.
Workington Amateur Operatic Society (WAOS) have this week put on a spectacular production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical.
From start to finish the show was a delight. It follows the journey of a young soprano who becomes the obsession of a disfigured and murderous musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opéra House.
Taking the male lead as 'The Phantom', Tony Mcgee play the part with a wicked vulnerability, perfectly embodying the Phantom.
As female lead, Christine Daaé Holly Harkness wowed the audience with stunning performances of many of the musical's most recognisable songs.
Speaking in the programme for Phantom of the Opera, WAOS president Norman Brayton said: “When WAOS was one of the first societies in the country to be awards the licence to perform this beautiful and spectacular show, you can imagine the society and its members were both honoured and delighted to have the opportunity to showcase Andrew Lloyd Webber’s timeless masterpiece and to bring the adult premier of this most successful of musicals to the stage at the Carnegie Theatre.”
And this was clear to see. The whole cast put their hearts and souls into the stunning performance of the musical masterpiece, they were truly outstanding.
This is not forgetting the huge behind-the-scenes stage crew who had most obviously worked tirelessly to make the show such a success.
A personal highlight of mine was the part in the musical where the organ keys moved seamlessly by themselves while the opera cast where rehearsing their performances, depicting the Phantom taking control over the opera house.
This was not forgetting the iconic boat scenes in which the Phantom captured Christine and of course the iconic chandelier, which the cast managed to bring to Workington.
The show was a delight. Just like many the society have put on before it since its inception in 1906, the group have managed to seamlessly bring the smash hit musical to West Cumbria and I wish them much luck in the future.
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