POTO notes

[tangofiction]

Continued as promised. This is basically straight from my notes, so I'm going to stick to point form in chronological order as far as possible.

Comments

[tangofiction]

What did you think of Mme. Giry in the stage production? She's really different from Giry in the movie.
I thought she was amusing, in a somewhat stereotypical (do people like that really exist?) Like something out of "Rebecca"... But then, it's a comic treatment really, even if it isn't overt -- you can pretty much imagine the German accent and the entire Mel Brooks-style film that could go with this character. Although I really liked one Leroux-ish moment when one of the managers touches her (or something) and she looks scandalised. Reminded me of Giry getting a kick out of the managers' office in the book.

And I found the treatment of stage!Christine to not be so exalted. Her father was the "Swedish violinist," not "*famous* Swedish violinist." Her dancing wasn't so hot ("her head is in the clouds.")
I don't think we had the 'head in the clouds' line... Or if we did, I missed it. But Giry does say "a promsing dancer" rather than "a promising talent", which is rather generous given Christine's efforts on pointe.

As far as Piangi goes, I'm not sure it's because we don't get to know him
No no, I mean it's because we don't even get to *see* it except for a blink-and-you-missed-it moment. Even in the film it's a bit quick, but there we get the benefit of seeing Carlotta mourn him, which immediately adds an elment of human empathy that is missing in the show.

I understand why Schumacher changed the sequence of events for the movie; however, emotionally the way it played out on stage made more sense.
Hmm... I can go either way. Actually I really like the chandelier drop as the climax of the film's action, partly because it's dramatically strong, and partly because it explains the commotion and the fire adds all sorts of nice visual and symbolic and practical levels to it. Also I don't mind the Phantom planning the chandelier drop and perhaps even Piangi's murder -- but then, I do think he is guilty in the film, and I also think that's why it makes him more redeemable. Because if it's not his fault in the first place, what can you do? C'est la vie.

[tangofiction]

Hm, I don't think they did change it -- I can't remember it clearly enough, as you can imagine. :D

This is fun; if you want to return to it post-soup, please do.