Music Review: The Three Phantoms - Theatre Royal, Glasgow ✭✭✭✭

Review by Siobhan Brennan

A line up of three West End leading men, all of whom at one point played the titular role in Phantom of the Opera, promised to be a night of powerhouse voices and first class entertainment. What I didn't expect was the personal touch that came from each Phantom sharing memories and anecdotes about his time with the world-famous musical. From mishaps during debut performances to nerves at prestigious award events, the stories had the full audience engaged and laughing along.

The songs were another surprise. I had expected plenty of classic musical numbers and I wasn't disappointed, but alongside these were a number of comedic songs. The show opened with 'Invocation and Instructions to the Audience' from Stephen Sondheim's The Frogs which set the tone for the evening – light-hearted, cheerful and even a little irreverent. From there we were taken on a musical journey passing through songs from Spamalot, Ghost and West Side Story before being blown away by a dazzling medley of songs from Les Miserables. The a cappella 'I Dreamed a Dream' was nothing short of breathtaking.

The Phantoms were accompanied by additional male and female vocalists including the sensational Rebecca Caine, who originated the role of Cosette in Les Mis. This, coupled with a single cellist and pianist provided a real depth to the performances and created a really intimate atmosphere. The evening ended with a special treat from the show we were all expecting, which really pulled the night together and left the audience delighted. The Three Phantoms really is a class act and a must see for musical theatre fans.