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Love Never DiesOpening Date: May 28, 2011
Closing Date: Dec 18, 2011 Air date: Feb 21, 2012 Medium: DVD, cinema Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Video, BroadwayHD, DVD |
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Stage Production Notes
In October 2009, composer and producer Andrew Lloyd Webber announced his next project would be a sequel to his smash-hit global phenomenon The Phantom of the Opera. Initially announced to open in London, New York, and Sydney in quick succession, Love Never Dies was scaled back due to Lloyd Webber’s ill health .
Love Never Dies premiered in London on March 9, 2010, at the Adelphi Theatre starring Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess. Directed by Jack O’Brien, the production received mixed though mostly negative reviews. The show’s opening night garnered more attention for its celebrity audience than for the show itself.
Even so-called “Phans,” fans of Phantom of the Opera, attempted to sabotage Love Never Dies by protesting the sequel, posting negative reviews, and calling for a boycott.
The London production closed briefly and was re-written, but closed after “just” a year on the West End.
When the Australian company of Love Never Dies was announced, it was revealed that the production would receive a new staging under the direction of Simon Phillips. The revamped production, starring Ben Lewis and Anna O’Byrne.
The revised Australian production of Love Never Dies opened on May 28, 2011 at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne. Lloyd Webber stated it was “one of the finest productions I’ve ever seen of my work, anywhere.”
Jason Blake, writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, gave the show a lukewarm review. While praising the talents of the cast, Blake stated that the “star of the show is Gabriela Tylesova's design.” Although the production was “inspired [and] often ravishing,” Blake felt the musical was not strong.
Despite the critics’ opinions, the Australian production of Love Never Dies was received enthusiastically by audiences.
The production received 10 Helpmann Award nominations, including Best Musical. It won 3, with Gabriela Tylesova taking home Best Scenic Design and Best Costume Design, and Nich Schlieper winning for Best Lighting Design.
Love Never Dies toured around Australia, and also in Germany and Japan. A separate production was also performed in Denmark.
A North American tour of the production has been announced for the 2017-18 season.
Filmed Production Notes
The Australian production was filmed at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne on September 15, 2011.
According to interviews with Erin James and Paul Tabone, some aspects of Love Never Dies were altered for the filmed version. Actors were asked to “pull back,” and some blocking was adjusted to accommodate the cameras.
In a review of the film for Indy Week, Zach Smith noted “It is the closest I’ve ever seen to a live performance translated into a cinematic experience,” and claimed the most “intriguing” aspect of Love Never Dies was “what it could represent for the future of musicals in the age of new media.”
The DVD was released internationally in 2012, and reached number 4 on the UK DVD charts.
The film was also released in cinemas through Fathom Events in 2012.
Love Never Dies is available on DVD and to stream on Apple TV, Amazon Video, and BroadwayHD.
During the COVID-19 shutdown in April 2020, Love Never Dies will be streamed for free on Andrew Lloyd Webber's new YouTube channel The Shows Must Go On. The stream took place on April 24th, 8pm GMT, and was available for 48 hours.
The film is also available on Apple TV as part of the Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Musicals Collection which includes Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, and Jesus Christ Superstar.
In October 2009, composer and producer Andrew Lloyd Webber announced his next project would be a sequel to his smash-hit global phenomenon The Phantom of the Opera. Initially announced to open in London, New York, and Sydney in quick succession, Love Never Dies was scaled back due to Lloyd Webber’s ill health .
Love Never Dies premiered in London on March 9, 2010, at the Adelphi Theatre starring Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess. Directed by Jack O’Brien, the production received mixed though mostly negative reviews. The show’s opening night garnered more attention for its celebrity audience than for the show itself.
Even so-called “Phans,” fans of Phantom of the Opera, attempted to sabotage Love Never Dies by protesting the sequel, posting negative reviews, and calling for a boycott.
The London production closed briefly and was re-written, but closed after “just” a year on the West End.
When the Australian company of Love Never Dies was announced, it was revealed that the production would receive a new staging under the direction of Simon Phillips. The revamped production, starring Ben Lewis and Anna O’Byrne.
The revised Australian production of Love Never Dies opened on May 28, 2011 at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne. Lloyd Webber stated it was “one of the finest productions I’ve ever seen of my work, anywhere.”
Jason Blake, writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, gave the show a lukewarm review. While praising the talents of the cast, Blake stated that the “star of the show is Gabriela Tylesova's design.” Although the production was “inspired [and] often ravishing,” Blake felt the musical was not strong.
Despite the critics’ opinions, the Australian production of Love Never Dies was received enthusiastically by audiences.
The production received 10 Helpmann Award nominations, including Best Musical. It won 3, with Gabriela Tylesova taking home Best Scenic Design and Best Costume Design, and Nich Schlieper winning for Best Lighting Design.
Love Never Dies toured around Australia, and also in Germany and Japan. A separate production was also performed in Denmark.
A North American tour of the production has been announced for the 2017-18 season.
Filmed Production Notes
The Australian production was filmed at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne on September 15, 2011.
According to interviews with Erin James and Paul Tabone, some aspects of Love Never Dies were altered for the filmed version. Actors were asked to “pull back,” and some blocking was adjusted to accommodate the cameras.
In a review of the film for Indy Week, Zach Smith noted “It is the closest I’ve ever seen to a live performance translated into a cinematic experience,” and claimed the most “intriguing” aspect of Love Never Dies was “what it could represent for the future of musicals in the age of new media.”
The DVD was released internationally in 2012, and reached number 4 on the UK DVD charts.
The film was also released in cinemas through Fathom Events in 2012.
Love Never Dies is available on DVD and to stream on Apple TV, Amazon Video, and BroadwayHD.
During the COVID-19 shutdown in April 2020, Love Never Dies will be streamed for free on Andrew Lloyd Webber's new YouTube channel The Shows Must Go On. The stream took place on April 24th, 8pm GMT, and was available for 48 hours.
The film is also available on Apple TV as part of the Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Musicals Collection which includes Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Theatre: Regent Theatre, Melbourne
Producer: Really Useful Group, Universal Pictures
Book: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ben Elton, Glenn Slater, Frederick Forsyth
Lyrics: Glenn Slater, Charles Hart
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Director: Simon Phillips (stage), Brett Sullivan (film)
Musical Director: Guy Simpson
Orchestrations: David Cullen, Andrew Lloyd Webber
Choreography: Graeme Murphy
Scenic Design: Gabriela Tylesova
Costume Design: Gabriela Tylesova
Lighting Design: Nick Schlieper
Sound Design: Mick Potter
Stage Manager: Sandie Bekavac
Cast:
Ben Lewis (Phantom), Anna O’Byrne (Christine), Simon Gleeson (Raoul), Sharon Millerchip (Meg), Maria Mercedes (Madame Giry), Emma J. Hawkins (Fleck), Paul Tabone (Squelch), Dean Vince (Gangle), Jack Lyall (Gustave)
Ensemble: Andrew Broadbent, Renee Burleigh, George Cartwright Bush, Colin Dean, Andrew Dunne, Giordano Gangl, Stephanie Grigg, Erin Hasan, Trent Heath, Matt Holly, Ben Hudson, Erin James, Adele Johnston, Lachlan Kelly, Claire Lyon, Kristy Mackenzie, Jessica Mechielsen, Matthew McFarlane, Meredith O'Reilly, Kurtis Papadinis, Adam Rennie, Lisa Reynolds, Pharic Scott, Kathryn Sgroi, Ellen Simpson, Tod Strike, Brendan Yeates
Children: Christian Ambesi, Eloise Anthony, Liam Ayres, Xavier Bruggeman, Alexandra Cashmere, Ryan Chave, Luke Christpoulos, Benjamin Crundwell, Harry Dixon, Kate Dyer, Jaida Galgano, Jessica Goss, Erika Johnson, Tobi Johnson, Adam Joseph, Lisa Rassias, Alessandro Rosini, Julia Scollo, Artan Walker, Samantha Warlond
Producer: Really Useful Group, Universal Pictures
Book: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ben Elton, Glenn Slater, Frederick Forsyth
Lyrics: Glenn Slater, Charles Hart
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Director: Simon Phillips (stage), Brett Sullivan (film)
Musical Director: Guy Simpson
Orchestrations: David Cullen, Andrew Lloyd Webber
Choreography: Graeme Murphy
Scenic Design: Gabriela Tylesova
Costume Design: Gabriela Tylesova
Lighting Design: Nick Schlieper
Sound Design: Mick Potter
Stage Manager: Sandie Bekavac
Cast:
Ben Lewis (Phantom), Anna O’Byrne (Christine), Simon Gleeson (Raoul), Sharon Millerchip (Meg), Maria Mercedes (Madame Giry), Emma J. Hawkins (Fleck), Paul Tabone (Squelch), Dean Vince (Gangle), Jack Lyall (Gustave)
Ensemble: Andrew Broadbent, Renee Burleigh, George Cartwright Bush, Colin Dean, Andrew Dunne, Giordano Gangl, Stephanie Grigg, Erin Hasan, Trent Heath, Matt Holly, Ben Hudson, Erin James, Adele Johnston, Lachlan Kelly, Claire Lyon, Kristy Mackenzie, Jessica Mechielsen, Matthew McFarlane, Meredith O'Reilly, Kurtis Papadinis, Adam Rennie, Lisa Reynolds, Pharic Scott, Kathryn Sgroi, Ellen Simpson, Tod Strike, Brendan Yeates
Children: Christian Ambesi, Eloise Anthony, Liam Ayres, Xavier Bruggeman, Alexandra Cashmere, Ryan Chave, Luke Christpoulos, Benjamin Crundwell, Harry Dixon, Kate Dyer, Jaida Galgano, Jessica Goss, Erika Johnson, Tobi Johnson, Adam Joseph, Lisa Rassias, Alessandro Rosini, Julia Scollo, Artan Walker, Samantha Warlond
Sources
- Jason Blake, “Ravishing sequel brings more anguish for the Phantom,” Sydney Morning Herald (May 30, 2011)
- Adam Hetrick, “Cast Complete for Revamped Love Never Dies in Australia; Performances Begin May 21,” Playbill (May 4, 2011)
- Adam Hetrick, “Lloyd Webber's Reworked Phantom Sequel, Love Never Dies, Sets 2017 American Premiere,” Playbill (Sept 22, 2015)
- Erin James, “Sydney Bids Farewell to Australia’s latest success story – Love Never Dies to close this week,” AussieTheatre.com (March 29, 2012)
- Edward Malnick, “Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies draws its last breath,” The Telegraph (June 18, 2011)
- Zack Smith, “Love never dies, but many terrible musicals have: Sitting through Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom sequel,” Indy Week (June 6, 2012)
- Ben Todd and Katie Glass, “Standing ovation shows love for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom will never die... even if critics want to retitle sequel 'Paint Never Dries,’” Daily Mail (March 10, 2010)
- Broadway.com Staff, “Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom Sequel Love Never Dies Will Tour U.S.,” Broadway.com (May 19, 2015)
- Really Useful Group, “Love Never Dies Australia Nominations,” (July 5, 2011) Accessed via: http://www.reallyuseful.com/news/love-never-dies-australia-nominations/
- Stage Whispers, “Brand New Australian Production for Love Never Dies,” Accessed via: http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/brand-new-australian-production-love-never-dies
- The Telegraph, “Andrew Lloyd Webber and Love Never Dies stars given standing ovation,” The Telegraph (March 10, 2010)
Written by Luisa Lyons (February, 2017; updated March and April 2020)