*Very* interesting new comment and analysis on "Love Never Dies" as part of the massive Phantom Reviewing Project (an attempt to review all the versions of "The Phantom of the Opera" in existence!): The Phantom Project: Reviews & Research / Love Never Dies by Andrew Lloyd Webber (2010)
Though I would say that, naturally -- since the writer happens to echo most of my own prejudices and reactions, including a general preference for the original soundtrack over the amended one :-p I was going to quote bits, but really there's so much that I agree with, especially the entire analysis of Christine and Raoul's relationship and how the musical's heavy-handed attempts at manipulation completely backfire in this respect :-D
[Edit: having read a few more of these reviews, I'm wondering if the result of being exposed to bad fanfic is always to end up with sympathy for Raoul!]
I'll try to select just a handful of ( quotes: )
Though I would say that, naturally -- since the writer happens to echo most of my own prejudices and reactions, including a general preference for the original soundtrack over the amended one :-p I was going to quote bits, but really there's so much that I agree with, especially the entire analysis of Christine and Raoul's relationship and how the musical's heavy-handed attempts at manipulation completely backfire in this respect :-D
[Edit: having read a few more of these reviews, I'm wondering if the result of being exposed to bad fanfic is always to end up with sympathy for Raoul!]
I'll try to select just a handful of ( quotes: )