by Doris Lee
The Classic English musical Phantom of the Opera performed for the fourth time in Taiwan despite the pandemic and the closing of its birthplace, the West End. Live performance lovers around the world had gone through a dark age during the covid-19 pandemic. Theaters were closed due to the social distancing regulations, and shows were canceled as well. Only a few places around the globe could still hold events like concerts and musical performances. According to a local Taiwanese newspaper, Min Sheng newspaper, Taiwan was the only place that still had broadway shows going in November 2020.
Musical Phantom of the Opera, photograph by Doris Lee
The Phantom of the Opera performed 22 shows from the 19th of November to the 6th of December in Taipei Arena; The Crew members from the U.K. arrived in Taiwan 2 weeks ahead to be quarantined before the show. Last year in Taipei, the Phantom of the Opera attracted over 5000 people per night. One of the audience, Libby, said that being able to see a live performance during a pandemic is almost like a miracle. "I was amazed that they were able to bring the whole set of props to another country, including the iconic chandelier!" As a massive fan of live performance, Libby is very grateful for the company that invited them to perform here in Taiwan, despite all the trouble they need to go through. To put on a show in Taipei Arena, the team had put up a lot of effort. They brought the original set overseas, including customs, props... etc. Moreover, the production team had to redesign the whole audio setting for Taipei Arena, since the original sound design was not for a stadium of this size.
Moreover, to successfully perform the show in Taipei, all crew members were quarantined for two weeks. Some of the actors and actresses practice, catching up on Netflix, and some even voluntarily started online classes to pass the time. Later on, the vice marketing president of Khan Arts, Ya-shin Wang, told Min Sheng newspaper that the actors did not only went through the government's required two weeks quarantine. They even did a second Covid-19 test so that the audience can enjoy the show safely.
After witnessing the successful performance, the musical composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber even posted on Twitter, "Thank you for all you have done to counteract the Covid virus. The pioneering work you have done has been extraordinary in keeping theatres open." Compared to its original birthplace, the West End, Taipei's success is evident. Since March 2020, the West End had announced they would be closing for a period of time due to the pandemic. And after several months, the officials of West End Theatre announced the phantom of the opera, one of the longest-running musicals, will not return until the reopening of the theater.
Moreover, to successfully perform the show in Taipei, all crew members were quarantined for two weeks. Some of the actors and actresses practice, catching up on Netflix, and some even voluntarily started online classes to pass the time. Later on, the vice marketing president of Khan Arts, Ya-shin Wang, told Min Sheng newspaper that the actors did not only went through the government's required two weeks quarantine. They even did a second Covid-19 test so that the audience can enjoy the show safely.
After witnessing the successful performance, the musical composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber even posted on Twitter, "Thank you for all you have done to counteract the Covid virus. The pioneering work you have done has been extraordinary in keeping theatres open." Compared to its original birthplace, the West End, Taipei's success is evident. Since March 2020, the West End had announced they would be closing for a period of time due to the pandemic. And after several months, the officials of West End Theatre announced the phantom of the opera, one of the longest-running musicals, will not return until the reopening of the theater.
Musical Phantom of the Opera, photograph by Doris Lee
The pandemic is still going on, leaving many financial journalists worried about the long history of running the theater. According to Yahoo Finance, the West End Theatre of London had lost 97% of its economic output. Many worry that the West End might not reopen after a severe financial strike during the pandemic.
Luckily, with the vaccination in the U.K. started earlier than the public expected, the theater had announced its date of return. It is comforting for fans to know that though the West End had some financial loss during the closing, after a little over a year, they could finally return to business with a smaller crew.
However, to make up for the loss last year, the theater had no choice but to lay off some members. The West End’s classical music players were cut down from 27 members to 14. Indeed, the action left lots of the musicians unhappy, Some of the musicians were on leave for nearly a year, and after the theater announced its return, the West End informed them of being unemployed. One of the percussionists of the Opera, Matt Dickson, told Classicfm "I sacrificed so much, willingly, to be a part of this wonderful show and yet I will leave with nothing more than the shirt on my back. "
The pandemic had caused irreversible damage to show business, and the situation may not be the brightest; however, the phantom of the opera is scheduled to return in July at her majesty theater. Despite losing some of the members, The Phantom of the Opera will carry on just like the old saying, " The show must go on!"
Luckily, with the vaccination in the U.K. started earlier than the public expected, the theater had announced its date of return. It is comforting for fans to know that though the West End had some financial loss during the closing, after a little over a year, they could finally return to business with a smaller crew.
However, to make up for the loss last year, the theater had no choice but to lay off some members. The West End’s classical music players were cut down from 27 members to 14. Indeed, the action left lots of the musicians unhappy, Some of the musicians were on leave for nearly a year, and after the theater announced its return, the West End informed them of being unemployed. One of the percussionists of the Opera, Matt Dickson, told Classicfm "I sacrificed so much, willingly, to be a part of this wonderful show and yet I will leave with nothing more than the shirt on my back. "
The pandemic had caused irreversible damage to show business, and the situation may not be the brightest; however, the phantom of the opera is scheduled to return in July at her majesty theater. Despite losing some of the members, The Phantom of the Opera will carry on just like the old saying, " The show must go on!"