The Phantom of the Opera has been around for so long, you'd think it would be hard to change it up in such a way that people who've seen it before will have a new experience.
But in a world-first, the production is being held outdoors at Mrs Macquaries Point with the idyllic backdrop that is Sydney Harbour. Sounds great – until you factor in the type of weather Sydney is currently experiencing.
Maree Johnson is taking a break from playing Madame Giry in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera, to play that same role in the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production of the show.
Johnson has a long history with the musical – she was in the original production in Melbourne in 1990 as the alternate Christine – the female protagonist.
She then took over the role of Christine in Sydney, before moving to the United States and assuming the role of Madame Giry in 2017.
"So, time flies by," Johnson said.
"You get a little older, get a little wiser, and then you age into Madame Giry, 25-something years later."
Johnson's Broadway-run was interrupted by the pandemic in 2020.
"It was the most iconic shutdown," she said
"We shut down in May 2020.
"I got COVID in May 2020 a few days after the shutdown."
Johnson said the cast and crew thought they may be shut down for two to three weeks. Eighteen months later, New York City opened again and the show continued in October 2021.
She said it was the first time The Phantom of the Opera had shut down like that in its history.
"Phantom has been running for so long on Broadway.
"They're about to celebrate their 35th year on January 26, 2023.
"The show had never shut down."
In Sydney, the show must go on
Back in her hometown of Sydney, the show has continued despite the torrential rain.
"We don't have a roof, so we are totally exposed," Johnson said.
"So, there's an elevated sense of energy to this.
"There's an elevated commitment to it too, because it's so much bigger, and you're outside with nature, the wind, you're out there with the rain.
"Amazingly, we've only had one show where we had to stop.
"And that was towards the end of Act Two."
Johnson said there are a lot of effects in the theatrical staging of the show.
"You've got fire, you've got pyro, you've got trucks coming in revolving, you've got cranes flying in pieces of the set.
If you want to go and see the show, be prepared for the rain
It isn't just the cast who have to contend with the weather; the audience sits in an area that is uncovered.
Simon Phillips is the director who was especially chosen by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to create this new version of the renowned musical.
It's his job to re-imagine all the classic moments of The Phantom of the Opera in the spirit of Sydney Harbour.
He said working outdoors has certainly brought its challenges.
"A world of pain, really," he said.
"I don't need to tell you what the weather's been like in Sydney for the last two months.
"It's just been horrendous.
"We had about 28 tonnes of mud that had to be removed from the site.
"We lost a lot of tech during the weather.
"We had nights where the whole orchestra pit, which is underneath the harbour stage, just flooded with water, while electrical storms raged upstairs and no one was allowed to perform for safety reasons."
It's worth it if you hang in there
He said lightening is the only reason the production has to stop. But the performance and rehearsals can continue in torrential rain.
When the weather isn't a problem – like on opening night – the experience, he said, is extraordinary for everyone involved and there's a real buzz in the crowd.
"There's such a thrill in the air about being outside on the harbour, the famous view in the background and a work as known and unashamedly popular as The Phantom of the Opera is, with the storytelling and the murder and the mayhem.
"It just felt like a great show to be doing in that setting."
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour's The Phantom of the Opera will run until April 24.
