Went to the live screening of Phantom of The Opera last night at the cinema. It was a special 25th Anniversary performance of the show and to say it was spectacular is an understatement.

I saw the show a couple of years ago on Broadway and thoroughly enjoyed it. This was despite the constant, loud snoring of a man beside me and seats that were so high up binoculars (if provided) would have been very welcome.

Whilst I’d love to have been in the audience at the Royal Albert, the cinema experience was actually a better way to experience this show. Being able to see the action on stage and getting close ups of the actors faces added immensely to the enjoyment. Only thing missing was the electric atmosphere and buzz of being in a hall with 5,000 people. That, and clapping. Myself, mrslecraic and two other people beside us were the only ones who made an effort at a bit of a clap.

This staging of Phantom has Cameron Mackintosh as producer, and it will start touring in March 2012 and it looks like The Grand Canal Theatre will host it some time after that (guessing May or June). Nothing on GCT website as yet, but keep an eye out as I’m sure tickets will sell out fast.