OK, so I finally got to listen to Love Never Dies. I notice there have been some reviews about it in the newspapers too, and generally not very favourable comments, especially about the storyline. I kind of agree actually, but the music is still good, so all things concidered, I do like the album.

So, what's happened to the storyline? Typical fanfiction if you ask me. A wishful second ending that the original author doesn't intend but is inevitable if you concider the huge following that Phantom has. I don't think it's Webber's fault though, I think the storyline was written by someone else(there are many spin offs, sequels and prequels of Gaston Leroux's novel out there btw). The idea was supposed to be axed but somehow got produced in the end. Maybe *ahem* money *ahem* had something to do with it. Phantom is after all the longest running Broadway show.

But if your's still interested to know what it's about, continue reading.

Spoiler alert.

OK, so the phantom is still alive, saved from the mob by mother and Meg Giry. They relocate to Coney Island and the phantom starts a lavish freak show, assuming the identity of a mysterious Mr Y. However, the phantom still pines for Christine and invites her to sing at his show. By now, Christine is living in poverty as Raoul has become a drunkard and gambled all his fortunes away. They also have a son called Gustave, whom Raoul doesn't seem to care about.

Meanwhile, Meg Giry works at the show as a cheap showgirl, and works hard to try to win the phantom's attention. She is forced to prostitute herself to earn money and favours from powerful members of the public, to help run the show. Soon, they find out that Christine has been invited to perform,taking Meg's lead role .They get jealous that their loyalty is not repaid, but the betrayer Christine has become source of new inspiration to the phantom.

When Christine and her family reach Coney Island, Gustave is intrigued by the freakshow. Ignored by Raoul, Gustave enjoys wandering around the building.The phantom soon meets him and notices how much he and the boy are able to identify with each other's love for music. The phantom questions Christine and finds out that Gustave is really their son together.They plan to run off together after Christine's performance at the show.

The phantom then confronts Raoul and challenges his belief that Gustav is his son. They bet that if Christine sings for the phantom, then Raoul must leave them, but if she doesn't, then the phantom would pay off all their debts.On the night of the performance, Christine sings, while Gustave once again wanders off. After the performance, Gustave is missing and Raoul is suspected of kidnap. However, it is found out that he has kept his promise to leave alone. Later, Gustave is found at the pier where a distraught Meg Giry tries to drown him. In the scuffle the ensues, Gustave is released, but Christine is accidentally shot by Meg. As Christine dies, Gustave finally accepts the phantom as his real father.

~~~~~~~

You'd notice that the storyline is in direct conflict with the original story. First of all, the narrator in the novel says that he has found the dead body of the phantom. Secondly, although it might be possible that Christine loved the phantom, I don't think that she loved him is such a way. At least to me, their absolute chastity and the phantom's suicide were what made the story as strong as it was.

End of spoiler.

Story aside, lets talk about the music. The music style is a little bit more American and contemporary than Phantom, I guess.But it is still as moving as it's predecessor. One thing I liked was the contrast of the prologue's cold and depressing feel(after the freak house was burned down) and the careless joyfulness of it's former glory in the intro.As for the cast, I didn't feel much of an impact for Christine's role. For the phantom, I get the feeling that Ramin Karimloo switches from tense anger to tender love too suddenly, but maybe that's just me.I did like Raoul's role though. In Phantom, he was a bit of a male bimbo(perhaps intentionally too) but in LND he becomes a more fleshed out ,quick tempered man but with many regrets, especially as to how he feels he cannot be a good enough man for his wife.

Meg Giry's role was a bit of a shock. In phantom, she was an innocent side character, but in LND her life has been so drastically transformed, it's like waking up to the horror of what real life must have been for showgirls. Her thick American accent was a bit weird, but more than made up for by a strong performance. On the other end of the spectrum, mother Giry's thick and fake sounding French accent was somewhat amusing in an unintended way, but eitherway, she's a memorable character.As for Gustave, I'm not sure who sang for the CD version, but whoever he is, he does sing with the typical choirboy innocent charm which is so endearing.

~~~~~~~

Overall, I'd say LND is worth your time. It's actually a pretty good story if it weren't connected to phantom, but just was a standalone musical. Like someone mentioned, they should just have changed a few names and it would have been perfect.