The Phantom of the Opera

An absolutely incredible production all round. I was in awe from the first notes - you immediately forget that you're watching an ameteur group when any one of the cast starts singing. A West End worthy performance. I particularly loved how you could see the Phantom conducting the orchestra throughout the show (with seamless switches when he was needed onstage) which I have never seen before and want to see from every production of Phantom I see henceforth. It brought me to tears and there was not a single bad performer amongst the entire company. Gorgeous work.

I have seen Phantom of the Opera in the Westend several times but have rarely enjoyed it as much as I did this production. These performers were incredible given that often what they did was within a metre or two from the first row of the audience. How brilliant to see this large-scale show done in a confined space. How this space was used with the scaffolding with elevated orchestra, the moving panels and backlighting for the hanging scenes was hugely effective and a testament to the innovation and creativity of the director and choreographer. There is very little to criticize about this production. Consistently on show were vocal strength, impressive acting, well-timed comedy, compelling pathos, great costumes, and an energy and commitment to sharing their joy of performing from the whole cast that made this a truly remarkable evening. As a music teacher, I would want all my students to see the musical excellence and joy that this production demonstrated. The entire cast was very strong and the orchestra was brilliant in their support of those on stage. Although each character deserves a paragraph extolling their strengths in their roles, Colum Findlay as both Phantom and conductor (him being always visible was a creative masterstroke in itself) deserves a special tribute. Everyone involved in this show in any way deserves an Olympic gold. If these people do something in next year's Fringe, don't miss it!

This production of Phantom of the Opera was truly amazing. They were all great but in particular the singing by the main players was so unexpected for a local theatre group, so professional. Obviously with the size of the venue the props and set was scaled down but didn't detract in any way from the enjoyment of the show. I was moved to tears towards the end when Christine had to choose between Raoul and the Phantom, you could hear a pin drop, such was the reaction of the audience and i wonder if the intimacy of the venue contributed to that. Congratulations to all involved.

Such an amazing show and cast. I honestly felt like I was watching Phantom in the West End. The cast who played Phantom, Christine and Raoul should all be in the West End. I just can’t believe this is a local company. Best thing I saw at The Fringe!

WOW! Managed to catch the last show of this production and was completely blown away! Such a talented group where every one of them is a star! The singing and dance talent was breathtaking and none of them would be out of place on the West End or big touring productions!

This show was amazing. ALL the cast was wonderful, with amazing voices. I was blown away by the emotion put into this musical. The Phantom was perfect in every way, as well as all of the main cast. Had I not seen it on closing night, I would've gone to see it again. The set and production was simple but very efficient to work with the size of the stage and I was not expecting a performance of this caliber and it was breathtaking. I really don't have much more words to express how much I enjoyed this. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who contributed to this show for offering us this priceless performance!

This company just goes from strength to strength. Never fails to amaze me. Colum Findlay’s powerful performance was incredible. I think the fact that he performed, directed ( along with Fraser Hume), choreographed and conducted…..says it all about this multi talented performer. Lucy Whelan and Stephanie Strachan were perfectly cast with beautiful voices. The show held me spellbound throughout. Well done to everyone involved.

A thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable show. Christine and the Phantom’s voices are beautiful and the emotion conveyed in their singing brought on a few tears. Appreciated all the antics of the funty monkey and some wonderful ballet. The whole cast deserved the extended standing ovation and whoops from the audience. Well done.

"Brava, brava, bravissima"

This cast blew me away with dynamic, powerful singers and a tight orchestra bringing you a classic with a softer touch brought to you by a Phantom more Man than Monster. The Phantom brings a softer, human side to the character while Christine lures you into Soprano heaven. Perfectly accompanied by a talented array of supporting characters. Carlotta in particular stood out along with the Managers for their comedic timing and their gorgeous vocals.

Captivate theatre have done it again. I will always come back.

5 STARS! One of the best shows I have seen at the Fringe. Vocally comparable to the West End. Staging was simple but effective. The Phantom and Musical Director need an special mention as an immense talent. Dont Miss It!

This was absolutely magical!!! When I heard the first song I was confused at first because I thought that maybe it is a recording!!! The voices were so powerfull, I got goosebumps numerous times during the performance. Phantom is my favourite musical, I had seen it before in London as well, but somehow I enjoyed it so much more in here. As the space was smaller, it felt so much more intimate, like I was on the stage part of the performance. Thank you for this wonderful evening!!

I was completely spellbound by the relationship between Christina and the Phantom. I've never seen this musical before and I was blown away by this production. There were many wonderful performances but I have to highlight Lucy Whelan as Christina and Column Findlay as the Phantom - superb voices and acting - they should have a bright future in the West End. Thank you Captivate Theatre - it was an unforgettable evening.

Exceptional performance, music was just spot on, ballet dance was very pleasing and acting was full of engagement and emotion, you could feel that the performance gave 100% of themselves to this show. I cannot recommend this show highly enough. Would go back to watch it every day!

I’m mesmerized. I can’t believe what I’ve just seen. It was such an amazing cast and production. The show is in a small box but the performances are huge.
I’m a fan of Phantom of the Opera and know most of the songs and I get goosebumps so many times during the show. The actors and actresses are amazing . Christine , Phantom and Raoul the chemistry is just incredible.

I came all the way from Turkey for fringe and now Captivate Theatre has a new international fan . I will never forget what I’ve felt .Please keep doing what you’re doing because you are amazing !!!!!!

An absolutely stunning show. Thank you so much for the evening of astonishing entertainment. I am so impressed. WOW!

What a brilliant show! From the big chorus numbers to the intimate solos, I loved it all! But the clear audience favourites are the stars of the opera house! Soprano Carlotta’s diva tantrums are balanced brilliantly by Joshua Scott’s perfect portrayal of the endearing opera house tenor, Piangi! He was as lovable as he was hilarious!
A fantastic night, well worth a visit!

I have seen Phantom in London's West End and on Broadway, New York, and this production totally held its own against these productions despite its more modest origin. The quality of the voices from literally all of the cast members was unbelievable and each was perfectly matched to their role. This cast includes stars in the making for both the aforementioned venues! Totally blown away!

Damn. Hands down one of the best shows I've ever seen.

This is hands down one of the best productions I’ve seen the performances and storytelling were amazing and it was vocally unbelievable as a big fan of the show it was just phenomenal

I loved every minute of it! I’ve been waiting for this day to come I was gonna see it on my 23rd birthday but lockdown happened! I would go see that show again it’s one of my favourite musicals already since it’s one of my favourite movies and one of my favourite books!

Such an incredible show. Truly sensational and the singing gave me goosebumps.
Exactly as you would expect from the Captivate Theatre Group.
So many amazingly multi-talented individuals. A must see.
Congratulations to all involved!

Wonderful performance, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves

Going to a Captivate production means you can be rest assured that your show will be fantastic. Phantom is no different. The huge undertaking in brining this show to life is no mean feat. The cast outdo themselves with their passion and skills - whether that be in the camp wit of the managers, the wonderful musical composition and acting skills of the Phantom, the gorgeous singing from Carlotta, or the sublime dancing of the male ballet dancer. There are so many wonderful moving pieces of this show. A small aside - I really loved the portrayal of Joseph Buquet, they really shone in their role. 5/5

I have been to see this show on two occasions and I was completely amazed at the level of talent, the singing, musicianship, dancing, acting and staging all of which were outstanding. I have definitely witnessed future stars of the west end. Congratulations on a fabulous production.

One of the best stage productions I’ve ever seen. What the cast and crew were able to achieve with a relatively small space is unbelievable. I frequently whispered to my friend that the Phantom was so fine is was distracting lmao. What a glorious voice, aura, performance. They totally embodied the Phantom, and added a villainy yet also a sense of emotion and vulnerability I don’t think has ever been conveyed so well. The actor was made for that role, I really can’t wait to see what they do next. Christine had the voice of an angel (of music) I was so taken with her in every scene she was in.

The chemistry between all the actors was palpable, you can tell this cast truly love what they do and are masters of their craft. The character of Raoul can often be overshadowed by the romantic lead of the phantom but this Raoul did not let this happen, his voice and chemistry with Christine was amazing and he made a character I’m not normally too interested in one I was rooting for!

The managers, Meg, Carlotta, there was not one actor/actress who outshone another, all worked so well together and were all attention catchers in their scenes. They all played their parts incredibly well and the standard they all set was admirable.

The reveal of the Phantom of being the orchestrater was genius, and genuinely gave me chills. Instead of tango during ‘The Point of no Return’ there was a hand touching scene that puts Pride and Prejudice 2005 to shame.

I genuinely enjoyed this performance more than any west end or movie adaptation. This cast just gets it! Congratulations on an amazing show. I’ve already booked to see it again. Thank you for such a spectacular night.

The ending, we cried. Phantom if Christine won’t have you, I will.

(Note: meaning this in the most respectful/non creepy way possible! Just such an attractive cast, It had to be mentioned! Congratulations again on such a beautiful production)

An incredibly talented cast, completely blown away by Christine who could be in the West End production. Excellent direction, love that the Phantom also conducted a lot of the show. Congratulations to the cast and crew of Captivate on yet another amazing show at the Fringe.

I'm almost at a loss for words. This production was absolutely mesmerising, and had me spellbound for the entire show. As others have said, the entire crew is incredibly talented on all fronts - the orchestra are brilliant, the ballet dancers amazing, the singers divine, the acting phenomenonal. All around, I think this is one of the best productions I've ever seen at the Fringe. I cannot sing their praises enough! Thank you so much to the cast for singing, dancing and playing their absolute hearts out, and to all involved in putting this together. I'll forever remember this as a highlight of my Fringe experience!

Absolutely brilliant - the cast are incredibly talented! We were blown away by how good it was!

What a phenomenal performance and well worthy of the standing ovation they received tonight!! I can't wait to see these actors in the West End one day...a must see show...such a privilege

Caught this show Saturday night. What an outstanding performance from this Captivate Theatre cast, the voices of Phantom, Carolta and Christine were outstanding, the supportive members fitted in so well and special note to the opera managers for their comic timing. The ensemble was of a high standard and was wonderful to hear. Tickets booked again for another performance, a must see show.

Wow wow wow, what a beautiful and moving experience the show was this evening! The cast are so talented and the orchestra, lighting, sound were nothing short of phenomenal. I feel privileged to have been able to be part of the audience.

This was an incredible performance by the cast and orchestra. The singing was just amazing and the whole performance was excellent. The intimacy of the venue made the performance even more engaging and ‘captivating’ - I wept several times throughout and sat with sheer joy during the whole show. I saw Phantom in London in April and can honestly say that I enjoyed this every bit as much, no - even more, just because of the emotional connection. Thank you. You are all superstars!

Simply amazing! I went to see the show on 9th August and I can only join in with the highest praise of previous reviews - I was completely blown away by the superb performances of all the main characters, especially by Christine and Raoul, the Phantom and Carlotta. I enjoyed the vocals and the acting immensly, I had tears in my eyes several times and just had to constantly remind myself that there were supposedly "amateur" actors. Nothing amateur about it! The cast, the stage setting, the sound technology and the overall flow of the performance were outstanding. I was gripped throughout and the 2 hours flew by in no time. I saw Phantom once before at the West End and I can honestly say last night's show was absolutely on par with it. Well done to the whole cast, the fabulous orchestra and the director, an easy 5-star and a must-see at this year's Fringe.

I was blown away by the production I saw last night (9.8). The performances were at a West End standard in both singing and acting, especially by Raoul, Christine and the Phantom. The chemistry between the lead characters was electric! Carlotta was also especially impressive, her small gestures and looks made me laugh the whole way through.

I have found myself in the rare position of having to aim my review at all involved instead of giving specific praises, as frankly there's something I would want to say something about everyone!
Put simply: WOW. Everything, from the vocals and acting across the board, to the seamless transitions and ballet dancing, was flawless. It's been many years since I last saw Phantom, so if it's referenced in my life from now on this version will be the one I think of for a long, long time.
Every person was cast perfectly in their roles, principals and ensemble alike - they all had specific parts to play and they all played them to perfection. The huge musical score was taken and, in my opinion, lifted up by the whole cast, and played beautifully and faultlessly by the band (not always an easy feat with Andrew Lloyd-Webber it seems, but this lot made it look like child's play).
The voices on these actors are astonishingly good. I ended up having to remind myself that I was at a Fringe performance and not, in fact, the west end. To be honest I may as well have been, as that's where I expect to see many of them in the near future.
Fantastic lighting and sound gave this show an aura of, at times, uneasy tension, and at other times grace and beauty - it served the plot amazingly well and deserves high praise.
The show was nothing short of a triumph, and I would urge anyone to see it if they can. (I'll be looking to attend again myself!) An easy 5 stars *****.

Every year Captivate Theatre delivers such high quality shows and this year's Phantom of the Opera is another triumph!
Slick, compelling and witty delivery by the cast, excellent orchestra, with fabulous soloists and chorus.
Carlotta, Christine and Phantom (who was also musical director) were particularly outstanding in their performances! Superb casting as usual.
Well done to everyone involved in the performance.

Tonight I watched the Phantom of the Opera and what an amazing show! Two of my family came earlier in the week and loved it so we all came back tonight together. Absolutely loved every moment. The singing and acting was unbelievable, particularly the Phantom, Christine and Carlotta. Their voices were ridiculously good and worthy of the biggest stages. I have seen many West End shows in London and I think this was incredible. The Phantom had such a rich voice, also conducting the orchestra and doing the choreography is an amazing talent. Thanks for such a great show!

A superb production from start to finish. The vocal and acting performances of Carlotta, Christine and the Phantom were sublime.

Phantom has been around as long as I can remember, and although I have been lucky enough to see it several times in various forms, and I can safely say this production didn’t disappoint, right down to the chandelier. Still made me jump!! All the cast did a fabulous job of bringing this classic to life, and they should all be so proud of their achievements. From the fabulous vocals to the wonderful musicians, from the ballet interludes to a smattering of humour throughout, we totally enjoyed the time we spent in the company of all involved. If you are a tried and tested Phantom veteran or are looking to see it for the very first time this rendition from the Captivate team is well
worth the entrance fee. Well done to all involved!!!

A masterful performance of a classic, with a perfect meta-touch which elevates it. Not a single note missed, sheer pleasure from beginning to end.

Absolutely brilliant production with a interesting and intriguing addition that adds an extra element to the Phantom as the mastermind.

Another exceptional production by Captivate with a phenomenally talented cast and enormously accomplished musicians. Performances are selling out for a reason. This is unmissable

I cried alot during this, it was truly singular in its raw magnificence and vulnerability. If you love Phantom, I promise you this will be the most memorable version of the show you have seen. I’ve seen it twice on Broadway, but this will be the performance I think of from now on. Don’t be shy, sit in the front and just be in awe.

Maybe this is an American thing, but coming in knowing this was an “amateur” production of Phantom, I guess I had low expectations? The moment “Carlotta” opened her mouth, however, we knew our expectations were far too low because what we experienced tonight was, with out a doubt, soon to be Broadway stars. I truly am at a loss for words for the level of vocal talent … Christine… Phantom … genuinely, WOW … I consider myself a Phantom nerd and have never been as blown away by two leads for this as I was you guys. Christine, your execution was near flawless tonight but what I loved most was how earnestly you sing. We could feel your every emotion, thank you. Phantom, you were born for this role. You embodied his growl and his groaning beautifully - one of the most breathtaking tenor voices we’ve ever heard. (Can I request y’all record an album of Phantom so we can all listen to you all again and again!?) And that’s just the beginning. The clever use of budget for props was fun to watch (hats off to that team), the orchestra, the dancers, the entire cast (I’d name each of you if I could - “Meg”, Olivia, Raoul, the Monsieurs… truly, your work was noticed and felt. This was above anything I anticipated, I would absolutely see and support you guys again and again. Massive congrats and excited to see where this journey takes each of you. Xo, the girl w her jaw on the floor in the front row ;)

oh my goodness!! Incredibly talented cast. Blown away by the voices, emotion, acting, orchestra and heart in this production. When I think of Phantom from here on out, this will be my go-to version. You MUST see this one at Fringe. Bravo!!!

Phenomenal performances. Terrific show. superb leads, spine-tingling moments, great comic acting , and wonderful music from all singers and instrumentalists. If you can, get tickets - we loved it!

Fantastic! Voices and performances are simply phenomenal! Would give any professional company a run for their money. Just WOW!
Definitely need to see this again!

What an amazing show! Really well set up, great cast, and all singers were so good. Absolutely a favourite

Just been to see this and it was amazing! We thoroughly enjoyed all of the performers and the singing was superb!
My 16 year old daughter was tearing up at the end along with the Phantom. Mesmerising!

Absolutely amazing. All of them were so so talented! Loved it. I have recommended it to all my friends.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Phantom by Captivate Theatre is the performance Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2024 will be remembered for.

Outstanding vocals, dance and staging. A show just quietly blowing the roof off at Edinburgh Academy.

A must see. WOW

What a show from start to finish, absolutely brilliant. The singing, acting, story telling and a live orchestra was the icing on the cake!
I have seen Phantom at the Playhouse and your production was equally as good.
I would come back a few times to see your show.
Well done cast and crew AMAZING.

The show is what is, for better and for worse, but it's well performed here. Take some earplugs because of the amplification of some of the cast who clearly don't need it, plus a fan and plenty of liquid - it gets very hot.

Wow…! I’d heard Captivate were good, but I hadn’t realised this good!? From the very opening it is simply, very cleverly and elegantly staged but the stand-out is the singing talent on display. I literally could not believe what I was hearing when Carlotta came on! The leads are all superb but the entire ensemble is tightly oiled and sound phenomenal and the venue sound is technically great too, so it’s a winning combo. What a slick production, was totally Captivate’d :-)

A coloratura soprano with some serious main character energy, Stephanie Strachan’s portrayal of the opera house diva “Carlotta” could out sparkle a thousand chandeliers! A jewel in the tiara of yet another top tier production from Captivate Theatre.

Myself and my wife came to see this. We often see Captivate performances as they always hit the mark but this was on another level. The vocals were phenomenal, the performances a perfect mix of humour,drama and heartache. The Phantom was of west end standard...honestly.
Go see it!

I brought my 15 year old daughter to see Phantom of The Opera. She’s a huge fan of musicals. She absolutely loved Christine, The Diva and of course The Phantom. Their voice control was incredible. It was truly a fantastic performance and I’d highly recommend this.

Congratulations on a great performance.

Thoroughly enjoyed it. From the diva antics of Carlotta, to the campness of the managers, and blown away by the voice of the Phantom who was also the musical director. The roles of Christine and Raoul. Great supporting cast and dancers, and of course the musicians.
Superb. Thoroughly recommend.