I caught Phantom of the Opera (The stage version) for something like the 7th time on Saturday.
I saw it first when it came to Singapore in the 90s, then again when I was studying my A's in cambridge, twice on holidays to London, the uni years, and now twice in space of 5 days (I'm going again on Tuesday). Pretty intense stuff. My family is going again on the last night, but I said no more!
To tell you the truth though, I don't really mind. It is by far my favourite musical.
The composition of the lyrics is just insane. The plot, characters, themes involved more complex than any other contemporary musical out there.
There is of course the classic duet, "All I ask of you" which is the quintessential example of love embodied in lyrics.
The track that is stuck in my head this moment though is "The point of no return".
I've uploaded the stage version onto my imeem profile for your benefit. Read the lyrics while you listen to it. It is incredible.
Hehe, and check out the phantom souvenirs I got. Yes, I got the mask! Hehe, might come in handy at my next halloween party mah or the planned masquerade party!
Phantom Of The Opera - The Point Of No Return Lyrics
(Phantom) Past the point of no return - no backward glances: the games we played till now are at an end . . .
Past all thought of "if" or "when" - no use resisting: abandon thought, and let the dream descend . . .
What raging fireshall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us . . .? Past the point of no return, the final threshold, what warm, unspoken secrets will we learn? Beyond the point of no return . . .
AMINTA (CHRISTINE) You have brought me to that moment where words run dry, to that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence . . .
I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why . . . In my mind, I've already imagined our bodies entwining defenceless and silent - and now I am here with you: no second thoughts, I've decided, decided . . .
Past the point of no return no going back now: our passion-play has now, at last, begun . . .
Past all thought of right or wrong - one final question: how long should we two wait, before we're one . . .?
When will the blood begin to race the sleeping bud burst into bloom? When will the flames, at last, consume us . . .?
BOTH Past the point of no return the final threshold, the bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn . . .
We've passed the point of no return . . . (By now the audience and the POLICE have realized that SIGNOR PIANGI is dead behind the curtain, and it is the PHANTOM who sings in his place. CHRISTINE knows it too. As final confirmation, the PHANTOM sings):
PHANTOM Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime . . . Lead me, save me from my solitude . . . (He takes from his finger a ring and holds it out to her. Slowly she takes it and puts it on her finger.) Say you want me with you, here beside you . . . Anywhere you go let me go too, Christine that's all I ask of . . .
