Phantom of the Opera

JAG, (the social group at work) has been really busy so far this year organising lots of events, the latest that we attended being The Phantom of the Opera at The Fox Theatre. Cheryl has always wanted to see this show, so when the opportunity of getting discounted tickets through JAG arose, I really needed my arm twisted - not!

The Fox Theatre opened in 1929 as one of the crown jewels in William Fox's motion picture empire. It cost of six million dollars, & with a seating capacity of 5060, the Fox was second in size only to New York's Roxy Theatre. It was billed as "St. Louis' largest and most magnificent temple of amusement", & Fox's wife filled it with paintings, sculptures & furnishings gathered from her travels around the world. From the dome in the auditorium hangs a 2,000-pound chandelier, 12 feet in diameter with 2,264 pieces of jeweled glass. A giant four-manual Wurlitzer organ, one of only five of its type ever built, filled the hall with music from its 36 ranks and 2,700 pipes.

In 1981, the Fox was privately purchased & restored. The 4,500 seats were completely re-upholstered and restored (although they skillfully managed to retain the authentic comfort level from the 1920's - i.e. not much!), 7,300 yards of carpet were woven in the original elephant pattern, & even the 106 foot hight ceiling was meticulously vacuumed. The chandelier was restored to its original brilliance, & the majestic Wurlitzer organ rebuilt.

We were on the upper level of the theatre & had a good view of the stage, although as the seating area doesn't seem to extend that far back we were sort of looking down on it. The show was good, but as I wasn't really that fussed about seeing the show I think that Cheryl & Beth probably enjoyed it more than I did. The special effects at the beginning of the show weren't really up to much & I was a bit dissapointed as I was expecting more from what is undoubtable the biggest theatrical show. However, I think that I was being lulled into a false sense of security as when the phantom went to his lair he was on a boat that he pushed along with a pole. The lighting, smoke, & automation of the boat were superb & this scene was seriously impressive.

The Fox has lots of coming attractions including Monty Python's Spamalot, Cats, Mama Mia, & Edward Scissorhands to name a few, so no doubt we will be back there some time whilst we are in St Louis.