This was to be the original production with direction by Hal Prince or the recent anniversary revival that has been touring the states recently?
Either way, I'm sorry to hear such misfortune has occurred so close to opening. If this was to be ta replica of the original production designs, then the floor they are referring to is the stage deck that is a part of the Phantom set. I know the U.S. original touring productions always used their own stage deck as most theatres obviously don't come equipped with tiny trap doors for all those candles. In fact, it is standard for touring productions and sit-downs alike to use their own stage deck. I recall seeing the 3rd national tour of Phantom at L.A.'s Pantages and being disappointed that my front row seats were the worst in the house; the tour's stage deck added about two feet of height to the existing Pantages stage floor which means I couldn't see anything below the knee of the actors onstage. lol.
So I'm guessing the stage deck that comes with the elaborate Phantom set design is what got damaged and the theatre's original floor is intact. I'm sure we're talking hundreds of thousnds of dollars to replace that stage deck, unless they can get one that has been retired from the many former national tours.
Good luck to them. I'm glad nobody was killed. Hope that brave fireman makes a quick and full recovery.
Recreation of original John Cameron orchestration to "On My Own" by yours truly. Click player below to hear.
sad to see what has happened. Im sure they will get it up and running as soon as they can. going by photos the deck seemed to be of wood and not steel like a more permanent one. Perhaps they can somehow use parts of the Oberhausen or Moscow set now that those have closed and both of them, like what they were using before the fire, had the large candelabra sliding onstage rather than coming up from the ground.
Pics of the load in looked particularly nice, seeing how they reconfigure the proscenium to fit that space and the exposed chandelier mechanism in the roof. I rather expect that they dont plan for a run much longer than a year which is what most of the recent shows in Paris have made. Either way I wish them all the best
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre
This is a replica production rather than the new touring one that has been going round as of late.
I do hope that things get up and running soon. I am glad that everyone's safe and that no one was harmed. However, (now I don't know if the setup is different than on Broadway) I am glad that it didn't do more damage. When I first saw the article, my concern was with the fact that there are many technical elements that are used in the show, that, if caught fire, could be catastrophic. The first one that comes to mind is the dry ice used during the title song for example. I don't know if that were something that would have been set up differently. Maybe someone with better knowledge of the show can help me out on this one.
its a large section of the deck plus the edge of some of those large candelabra
also in the photo those velvet rope things they use for the rehearsal scene are also gone, not sure what else, there seemed to be a lot of melted stuff to the side and most of the scenery/props would have been stored there.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre
" When I first saw the article, my concern was with the fact that there are many technical elements that are used in the show, that, if caught fire, could be catastrophic. The first one that comes to mind is the dry ice used during the title song for example. "
Islander_fan, could you please elaborate on this point? My understanding is that dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide, which cannot catch on fire since carbon dioxide is already fully oxidized. But are you perhaps referring to the machines used to distribute the dry ice, or a risky effect caused by cooling something else that makes it more susceptible to catching on fire (if so, how?)? I'm not trying to be difficult; just genuinely curious what you are referring to. Thanks!
I wonder if the theatre could possibly reopen in the spring.
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