The Irish News
October 2nd 2000
Ghoulish delights
metroead
With West End favourite, Phantom of the Opera set to open for
a Dublin run Tim Brannigan talks to its star about the
thrill and demands of playing a role already enshrined in theatre
folklore
Cloak and dagger... ‘I always like to dress
theatrically’
"After a long hard struggle I’ve finally got to the
position of playing the lead role in the Phantom of the Opera and
it’s great because it’s been one of my goals.".
Scott Davies is the Phantom for the production of the world
famous musical which appears for the first time at Dublin’s
Point Theatre next Wednesday. The actor first appeared, in true
theatrical tradition, in the chorus line of the show but
progressed through a variety of roles and a couple of other shows
to arrive at his present leading role.
"I didn’t plan to do the role originally and when I
started in the chorus I thought ‘Oh my God I could never do
that’ and then as the years go by I thought I could do it.
If you ask anyone in musical theatre which role they would like
to play then they would love to play the Phantom. I feel very
privileged to play it because this is a great part."
Scott is incredibly enthusiastic about his role and is
particular looking forward to playing in Ireland.
"We were over a few months ago for publicity stuff and on
the way back to the airport which was only a five mile trip
the driver kept stopping off at pubs and by the time I got to the
airport I’m telling you I was legless," he laughs.
"But there’ll be none of that when the show kicks off
next week."
Phantom of the Opera was written by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber
when he was just plain Andrew, in collaboration with Cameron
Mackintosh. They watched Lon Chaney’s silent version and the
later Claude Raines version of the film but though they found
them very enjoyable neither made them shout "Eureka"
until they actually read the original Leroux novel. After some
discussion it was decided to work with this version and Lloyd
Webber decided to write a score for the show himself with Richard
Stilgoe helping with the lyrics. The original version opened in
London on October 9 1986 with Michael Crawford in the lead role
and the rest is theatrical folklore.
But still the success continues. The show is lined up to tour
for the next three years and its Dublin run is expected to be a
near sellout for the three months in the capital.
"It’s popularity centres on the fact that it’s
a love triangle between three people: the Phantom, Christine and
Raoul. Raoul hasn’t seen Christine for a few years and
eventually they meet up and fall in love, but the Phantom also
loves Christine and he wants her too. We then have to see what
Christine does about this dilemma."
The London show has been running for 12 years and this
production is booked to play for three years but Scott rejects
the notion that the actors might get stale playing the same role
night after night for such a long period.
"No, I don’t think so. I must admit I think
it’s a wonderful show and I’m not just saying that,
I’ve seen lots of shows and been in a lot of them and this
is by far the best. It’s a far superior show than any that
are around just now this is the best show I’ve ever
done."
So just which type of people come along to see Phantom
Japanese tourists and pensioners from Wigan?
"Well the London show would probably get the Japanese
tourists and we get the Wigan pensioners," laughs
Scott."No seriously we would attract a family audience on
the whole, young kids come along and they’re mesmerised by
it all. When you see the set, hopefully it’s going to look
good in the Point (Theatre). You know it’s such a huge
place, hopefully it will work."
The show is very demanding physically and Scott goes training
about three days a week and has his own personal trainer. The
heavy prosthetic makeup takes a long time to apply and on matinee
days he has to wear it for about 10 hours.
"It’s a great show for keeping down my weight,"
he jokes. "It is important though not to do too much because
then you get tired and once your body’s tired your voice
gets tired so I’ve really got to watch it."
Another gruelling run begins in Dublin next week as the
Phantom of the Opera begins at the Point on Wednesday October 7
for 10 weeks. Tickets cost £12.50 to £32.50 according to
seating.