LONDON

Michael Crawford's cloak caught on fire during the title song. The boat had failed to operate, so he and Christine (Sarah Brightman) had to walk across the stage. He happened to be standing over a candle trapdoor when it opened ... He also suffered from a hernia as a result of performing Phantom. He left the hospital (against doctor's orders) only two weeks after an operation so he could perform while an understudy was prepared for him (This is a rather long story). Among other things, he was so heavily drugged to ward off the pain that, while waiting up in the Angel sculpture, he fell alseep and missed his cue. He left the stage after the performance coughing up blood. (Stephanie - aka Toryn)

Another time when Sarah Brightman was performing in London, all the trap doors on the stage opened at once, she stood as still as possible until she could get safely off stage. (submitted by PhanGrrrl)

This is from a Michael Crawford interview, one night in London he kissed Sarah very passionately and the latex lips came of and stuck to her! He "puled her back for seconds" and pressed them back on but they were slightly akimbo, ooops. (submitted by PhanGrrrl)

Once, during the Wishing scene, Dave Willets was hiding inside the big graveyard cross when the whole thing tipped and fell off the back of the set onto the stage! I imagine the man was feeling some pain for a while thereafter. (T. Tran)

Steve Barton, whilst understudying the Phantom, busted his knees open on the trapdoor during Masquerade. This is what began Michael Crawford's long story of leaving the hospital before it was time. (Stephanie - aka Toryn)

In his 1,000 or so performances of the Phantom, Karrie says that he has encountered countless hilarious if embarrassing moments. "They are part and parcel of live theatres," he says. "There was a scene which requires me to sit next to Christine on a bench but on this particular day, Christine had sat nearer to the edge than she should have." Half-blinded by his mask and hood, he groped for the edge of the seat but ended up on the floor.
"The audience thought it was very funny while Christine went completely hysterical."
Embarrassing moments don't even have to happen on stage. "Once while taking a break between performances, I forgot that I had my make-up on and popped my head out of the window. The next thing I knew was that people in the street started screaming and scattering in all directions."
He chuckles. "You get so used to having all the latex and horrible bits on your face that they literally become part of it and you tend to forget that you have them on." (www.peterkarrie.com)

Once, in London, he was climbing to the top of the theatre, (Peter) Karrie recalled.
"I do a bit of the daredevil stuff and I swing around so people can see all of me. To get up there you have to separate your legs to a great degree. It was a particularly hot night and as I stood up I heard the trousers go RIIIIIIP from one side to the other. And there was nothing I could do.
"The Phantom has to say: You will curse the day you did not do all the Phantom asked of you,' and of course I'm standing there revealing everything to everyone. I'll never wear white undershorts again."
On another occasion - and with more than three years of a highly technical set, there are bound to be mishaps, Karrie said, laughing at less printable memories - he threw his cape up in the air at the end of the Masquerade scene, and was supposed to disappear through a trapdoor.
"The Phantom is very dignified, very much his own man. I remember this one performance: the audience was mesmerised and you could feel the tension. I sang the bit: You will sing for me', put the chain around Christine's neck, and threw my cape in the air - and the trap didn't open. I even stamped on the door and nothing happened."
But the pyrochemicals went off, and Karrie was covered by a two-metre-long black cape, unable to see.
"It ended up with the two stage managers laughing like drains and leading me off into the wings. Total pantomime," said Karrie. (www.peterkarrie.com)

One night, the strangest thing happened with the portcullis. It was malfunctioning BIG TIME. During MOTN, when the Phantom is supposed to lower it, it went down about half-way and then stopped, and the Phantom (can't recall who--I'll find out) stepped back from it and acted like "If I act casual, they'll think it was MEANT to happen!" Then, during the final lair scene, when it was supposed to rise, it only went halfway again, so, in the best act of improv I have ever seen, the Phantom ducked, grabbed Raoul by the collar and pulled him into the lair, and hung him up by force. It was amazing! Really made him seem more insane! (RedDeath - Cody)

The best was when I caught Sarah Ryan's (Christine) hair on fire with the fire stick (during Wandering Child) and I've hit Mike Sterling (Raoul) in the eye. I have very good aim - I was going for the throat but I missed... The last night in the final scene the rope wouldn't work round his neck, it was too small and all of a sudden Mike was sucked back to the portcullis by the human anatomy magnet and we had to continue the entire scene with him there. (from an interview with Mark McKerracher)

Friday, March 10, 2000. Very beginning of the show. They�re auctioning off the monkey box, and the auctioneer is taking bids. Fifteen francs. Twenty� Suddenly, a man in the audience yells out, �Forty!� I could have died. He outbid Raoul! (Kathryn)

During Scott Davies' turn as the Phantom in London (Scott Davies and Rose Wynn)

-When it came to the final lair. Scott was unpleasantly shocked to see no set at all as he led Christine onto the stage.

-During Music Of The Night, the candles kept going up and down throughout the scene.

-The Angel stopped working and Scott had to climb down via a ladder during the interval.

-Christine's wig got pulled off as she got it caught on Scott's button during the Kiss Scene.

-The journey to the lair. The boat stopped moving, so Scott climbed out and when he turned around to lift Christine out. He saw the boat moving off with Christine still inside of it.

-In Masquerade/Why So Silent. When Scott goes down the trap door, he only dropped 4ft and he couldn't move 1 ince during, Madame Giry & Raoul's scene.

In the London current and last cast productions (Submitted by Cookie)

- The lightbulb in Christine's dressing room exploded once with a faint 'pop'..scaring the old woman in it.. she whirled around, almost screamed.. (that happened in the time the dressing room isn't yet lit up, when the managers walk past it with Raoul and the champagne bottle)

- The throne didn't worked and in fact when John Owen-Jones tried to maneuver the lever to "disappear", he fell back with a loud noise that was heard despite the music (he told me afterward he hurt himself in the process)

- After lifting Christine up in the Masquerade scene, Raoul got her dress stuck in the buttons of his soldier's costume... funny to see Christine trying to actually unstuck herself.. they had a tough job not to laugh.

- On one of the last show of the last cast, in the second boat scene (the one where Christine has her back to the public), JOJ told me that the role of Christine was played by the manager, that was wearing her wig and making faces at John, who barely resisted his laughter. On the same performance, some of the ballet girls were in fact... guys! Wearing tutus and stuff... Even i noticed it!

After a show, John ran on stage as he do usually, only this time he slipped on something on the scene and fell on his side. Several weeks later, he was still going to a chiropractor to have treatment for his shoulder who was really hurt in the fell. That happened on a matinee show, and he performed anyhow on the evening show. *ouch*

John Owen-Jones: "What is my best memory of the show? Hmm...You mean like something funny has happened? Well for example in the very final scene, I was sitting in the throne, and my flies were down....and I have a white shirt on....so you can imagine, my flies were down, my shirt was showing... But I didn't actually know, until some audience member, who wanted to meet me at the end of the show, told me...that was quite embarrassing, but funny. That's a pretty good memory." from an interview at JohnOwenJones.com (submitted by Nathalie H.)

UK, John Owen-Jones: At the end of Point of No Return, when the Phantom's mask and wig is torn off, John Owen-Jones screams "Noooo! No! F**k! God****it! You lying� B***H!" Click here to LISTEN! (story submitted by S. Bamforth, clip created by Julie Z, quote clarified by renaleria)

I happened to see the darling Ana Marina as understudy perform Christine one night. She had the most horrible night for costume/prop issues... As Raoul leaves at the end of the dressing room scene, her dressing gown got caught on her seat. She was literally stuck as it was so hooked on it would have dragged the seat with her! Then for the Masquerade scene.. when they are on the stair case.... her costume.. slipped.... down. She's rather more buxom than the other Christines so I think it was just not deep enough over the bust for her. Finally for the finale the comb in the veil got stuck in her wig. It must have had a broken tooth or something. It threw her rather badly, especially as she was porbably worried about it being needed for Scot Davies to hold once she left. She missed a few lines. I really wanted to offer some sort of condolance, but she was huddled away by fellow cast after the show. I think it might have not come across so well as a total stranger to say bad nights happen ;) (Michaela de Bruce)

Earl's first night - 'Insolent boy, this slave of fashion, basking in your glory! Ignorant fool, this slave of fashion, basking in my triumph!' (pointofnoreturn2004)

Earl again, the performance began 20 minutes late, Earl was called in as emergency cover as JOJ couldn't perform on short notice. In the title track, the boat broke down about half way down, Earl climbed out, but Nicky Adams stepped on a rising candleabra, and visibly looked pained, Earl tripped on same candleabra, and nearly fell flat on his face, but luckily regained balance in time for the switch to live track. The boat remained half way down the lake, stuck, until it finally started moving again, and disappeared offstage, with Christine left to sleep on the floor, and act 'I remember..' from the floor, downstage centre. Very amusing (pointofnoreturn2004)

One performance, the overture failed to start twice, the chandalier started rising about two feet above the stage, when on the third try, the (very obviously) recorded track started, after two very embarrassing splutters, and an embarrassed ackknowledgement from the conductor to his orchestra. Had a great view from B12! (pointofnoreturn2004)

Another occasion, at the end of Masquerade, John Owen-Jones disappeared through the trap-door, but instead of a double in a Red Death costume appearing at the top, for some reason the tall male ballet dancer/ensemble member Luke Jackson ran straight down the stairs, and into the wings!!! - AND he was only wearing black trousers, and a red t-shirt type thing - no mask, but he covered his face as he ran!!! I think somebody missed their cue, forgot to put on their costume, and probably got sacked after that one! (pointofnoreturn2004)

A small one, another time after WYWSHA, Katie span around for the big 'Wishing you were somehow here again, knowing we must say good-bye', finale and her scarf got caught around her neck, and went over her face. It's especially memorable and funny, because she finishes down right, as I was sat in B1, we made eye contact and she very nearly giggled. Gotta love the girl - chatted about it afterwards.. (pointofnoreturn2004)

Few other small things, like Passarino's mic has failed, only one of the three harmonies for 'the trumpets of carthage resound, hear romans now and tremble' etc worked of the three males singing, sounded a bit naff. Another time 'Are the doors secure?' one of the doors didn't work - (and therefore surely, wasn't secure) - lol (pointofnoreturn2004)

The lasso in Final Lair has failed to 'pop' about 9 of the times I have seen the show, of the 30-odd in 2004 I have seen it. The first time, Ramin looked visibly confused, but carried on regardless (pointofnoreturn2004)

Tomos Griffiths, u/s I saw on one occasion was very good, but phlubbed a LOT of his lines, as he was singing everything live, including Seal my Fate, Notes, and all recorded parts, INCLUDING Red Death.
'Slowly gently night unfurls its... *pause* *thinks* splendour *hurries* grasp it, sense it tremulous and..der'
'Seal my fate tonight I hate to have to cut this all short but the joke's wearing thin let the audience in let the opera begin'
'I gave you my music, and now your song takes wing, and how, how you've repaid me, denied me and repaid me, he was bound to love you, when we heard you sing'
'The role which Ms Daae plays calls for charm and ideal' (pointofnoreturn2004)

Probably the funniest is recently, (Sept 04) when Masquerade *broke*. Something happened, something really bad happened. The music all went out of sync, and EVERYONE stopped singing. It was at the final 'Masquerade, paper faces on parade', with everyone on the stairs, and all of a sudden just EVERYONE stopped singing. The music seemed to speed up, then stop, but they kept going regardless. Katie and Ramin at the front just seemed to look at each other, and Katie let out this huge smile, which was a bit like 'if I smile, everyone will think that was meant to happen!' - And she has such a winning smile.. (pointofnoreturn2004)

Someone actually recorded this show, it was in London, Earl Carpenter was the Phantom and he could not get into the Mandarin robes on time (just after 'Music of the Night') he made a quick, clever improvisation by removing his jacket, undoing his tie, and unbuttoning his collar, it actually gave off a great affect, except when he is crawling across the stage during 'Stranger Than You Dreamt It' you could see his microphone box attached to the back of his pants! (renaleria)

I�ve seen Phantom on many an occasion but I have to admit the London production is a favourite. This show is less technically driven than later incarnations of the productions I�ve seen, seemingly generating a greater propensity for error. Making it all the more interesting as a returning audience member. (Jboy)

My first time at Her Maj, October 2001 had John Owen Jones in the leading role. Deborah Dutcher was off that night and an understudy whose name I can�t recall played Christine, although I believe she was Welsh.

As JOJ and Welsh Christine ventured out on the boat it appeared to conk out just as they were to round the bend into centre stage. JOJ was trying hard to get the boat to move with his pole digging into the stage, but no luck. So he simply stepped out, ditched his pole, helped Welsh Christine to her feet as she joined him hand in hand walking through the lake to pick up where they would usually dock the boat.

Also that evening during the scene change before Prima Donna, where the Phantom and Christine return from the lair, the Phantom �double� slips and falls onto �double� Christine who gingerly limps off stage aided by the Phantom.

I saw the show, a few weeks later, with DD back in the role of Christine. This time the rooftop duet was marred by audible mutterings of the stage management crew filling the auditorium.
But the performance that beats all I�ve seen was in late December 2006 , where I experienced a particularly eventful 20 minutes or so with Earl Carpenter and Katie Knight-Adams in the leading roles.
Earl first failed to appear in the mirror in Angel of Music as the light to illuminate him, well�. didn�t, so poor KKA was stuck singing to her own reflection, to her credit she didn�t flinch and Earl finally appeared (better late than never) beckoning her to join him as the glass drew back.

Not to be outdone, during the following scene change the dressing room set stuck in the middle of the stage with the aforementioned mirror wobbling and bouncing light into the audience. All the while the Christine and Phantom doubles traverse the moving bridges above. In what I can only believe was an effort to disguise this technical hitch, the dry ice went into overdrive and more closely resembled pea soup fog that ventured out into the auditorium rendering those in the first few rows of the stalls (myself included) blinded.

The dressing room set was nosily shunted off stage. As the fog dissipated the candles made a late showing just in time to reveal Earl and KKA on board the boat.

But it wasn�t over yet� Alighting the boat, KKA begins her trance like trill, and just as Earl ditches his hat and cape the music cuts out (just for a second) leaving poor KKA�s mouth agape and deathly silence. You had to feel for her. After little more than a heartbeat the title song picked up where it stopped and she didn�t bat an eyelid. She must have been feeling pretty unlucky that night, however Earl�s turn was yet to come� As he began singing Music of the Night the auditorium filled with the distracting high pitched squeal of interference. Both performers appeared oblivious to the noise however several members of the audience (myself included) shifted in our seats distracted by the teeth clenching, ear piercing shrill sound. Earl didn�t get the usual uproarious response at the conclusion of this song and probably wondered why. (Jboy)

Everything had gone absolutly amazingly and perfectly right until the final scene. The Phantom (David Shannon) raised his arms to open the portcullis to allow Raoul (Simon Bailey) into his lair. The portcullis slowly opened then stopped abruptly. There was a short pause where someone at the back chuckled. After David and Simon exchanged glances, Simon quickly ducked under the portcullis. Paused. And continued the scene. (bethytee)

25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL

Originally, American soprano Keira Duffy had been cast to play Carlotta for the 25th Anniversary Celebration. Unfortunately, she developed a severe throat infection and the decision was made, only a couple days before the first performance, that she would have to withdraw from the production. Fortunately, Wendy Ferguson, the Carlotta at the West End production, was able to step in and went on to perform the role for all three performances with great success. But what a disappointment for Ms. Duffy! However, you can still see her costumed photo and biography in the official 25th Anniversary souvenir program since there was no time to change the program before the show. Attendees of the performances received a special insert with Wendy's photo and information. (T. Tran)

During the last performance, the Phantom, played by Ramin Karimloo, got his arm tangled up in the invisible wire that holds up the Punjab Lasso when he went to 'burn' through it to release Raoul, played by Hadley Fraser. As a result, Ramin had to remove his tailcoat, set it aside, and performed the remainder of the scene without it in shirtsleeves. For people who hadn't seen the show before, I don't think that it stood out but for those familiar with the show it looked as if the Phantom was randomly stripping off the tailcoat. Either way, Ramin did a great job of not letting that mishap interrupt his performance and acted as if nothing at all was wrong, finishing the show in good form. This particular flub can be seen on the official DVD release of the 25th Anniversary Celebration. (T. Tran)

TOURING PRODUCTION

There was a time when some royalty was watching the UK tour and her secret service had their walky talkies and they interfered with the boat signals so the boat kept coming on stage at random times. (Submitted by Steve)

During the UK with Willets during Stranger Than You Dreamt It... the mask flew off the stage and into the orchestra pit. Instead of replacing his mask, Willets apparently took Christine's hand in a very touching moment. (Submitted by Steve)

Once when Dave Willets threw the Don Juan score during Masqurade it hit Alan Rice (a manager) in the face! (Submitted by Steve)

One time the boat wasn't working so Mark McKerracher had to sling Niki Adams over his shoulder and carry her across the lake as he sang 'Down once more . . .' before the Final Lair scene. (Submitted by Steve)

A guy playing the Phantom (UK tour in Edinburgh or something)? He told about a few mishaps he had experienced himself. The most funny thing was once when the magical lasso was too tight, and he didn't get it around Raoul's neck. The very creative Raoul was trapped by the super-magnetic portocullis (sp?) instead - it worked as a human magnet! If I had been the Phantom of Christine, I would have ruined the show by laughing really loud and for a long time.... Can you picture it? Raoul trapped by the human magnet!!! (Submitted by Janne Arnesen)

Another time, he hit Christine by mistake with the fire balls in "Wandering Child", and her wig was set on fire!!! Luckilly, it is made of real human hair (and that doesn't burn/melt as easy as synthetic), so she got to run off stage as planned and extinguish it.... I don't know how much the audience noticed of it, but apparently, HE saw it... It must have been hilarious! I bet he didn't really mean it when he yelled "Come back!"... :D (Submitted by Janne Arnesen)

On the last day on the 99 UK Tour. When Christine takes off the Phantom's mask, all Scott Davies saw was a pantomime horse heading from the wings into his direction. (Scott Davies and Rose Wynn)