As the lights dimmed for the fifth time – for me – of seeing Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s newest musical ‘Love Never Dies’, a certain atmosphere hung in the air. An electricity hit the crowd and flowed throughout the show; the likes of which I haven’t seen in a while..

Before the show

Meeting any performer from the West End stage is inspirational but Ramin Karimloo still reigns the top of my list with his graciousness and honest down-to-Earth personality. With a Tesco bag in hand, he diverted from the Stage Door of the Adelphi with a smile on his face and, planting the bag down squarely at his feet, meant to stay a while. A discussion soon commenced and, after deciding that Cold Mountain would make a great musical someday and that the orcs from Lord of the Rings: The Musical were frightening; whether the performer inside was enjoying it or not, the subject of Sheytoons cropped up in the conversation before, after glancing at his phone, Ramin took off to make-up.

The show itself

Every single show is different…

It was a heavily understudied show; what with Tim Walton (Raoul), Louise Madison (Fleck) and Simon Ray Harvey (Squelch) but they gave their all and gave me another perspective of those characters. Having Ramin and Sierra both performing kept the cemented centre of the show and gave the understudies an individuality to bounce back from. Ramin’s cheeky side shone through in Devil Take The Hindmost and I found myself knowing he was having fun with Tim; much like their characters do (rather more sadistically in show context though).

Emotions ran high once more as Til I Hear You Sing (with it’s wonderful new lyric changes) broke upon us. The level of intensity and standard is constantly being raised by Ramin and everytime, he succeeds in out-doing himself. With an expectation for a belting note, I found myself ever more astonished when a weaker and more vulnerable string of sounds spilled from this incredible man.

Everything about the connection between Christine and Erik (The Phantom/Mister Y) was fulfilled. There’s no denying that the chemistry between these two performers and the characters they play is electrifying and fills the theatre to bursting with honesty. Tim’s performance as Raoul was incredible. It gave another side to the character; one perhaps a little less bitter than Joseph Millson’s but he really stepped up to the plate and received a – well deserved – Standing Ovation.

A very special fifth show. 10/10

Katie x