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Title: The Phantom of the Opera

Director: Pamela Keryeko

Actors: Joy Geria, Gilbert Byamugisha, Emmanuel Atuhaire, Clarissa Nabulime, Becky Nantale

Producers: Karen Hasahya, Della Kalanzi

Executive Producers: Chris Ssegawa, Kabiito Karamagi, Nkinzi Kagwa

Reviewed by Kalungi Kabuye

Strictly speaking, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ is not an opera. An opera is all singing and no dialogue, so this is described as a musical. But for the life of me, I could not offhand remember any of the dialogue during the premiere at the Serena on Saturday night. It was all about the singing, and it was done spectacularly well in the centuries-old operatic style.

I must admit an apprehension as Saturday approached, will I understand what was going on? Will I like it? Have the people that brought us other spectacular productions in ‘The Merchant of Venice’ and ‘My Fair Lady’ this time bitten off more than they could chew?

I shouldn't have worried, even if opening night jitters and only one day to set up meant by the time the advertised opening hour rolled up the cast was still putting final touches in. What is rated as the largest and most extravagant production Kampala has seen in several decades needed a lot more than just a day and a half to set up, but that was what holding a production at the Serena Conference Centre meant. Given all those constraints, what the crew managed to come up with was simply amazing.

Based on the 19th-century book by French author Gaston Leroux, it was put to music by the British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Charles Hart. First performed in London’s West End in 1986, and on Broadway in 1988, it became the longest-running show in Broadway history, ending in April 2023 with its 13,981^st performance. It has grossed over $6bn worldwide, and has been seen by more than 150m people in 150 countries.

The Phantom (played on Saturday by Gilbert Byamugisha) is a musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opera House, hiding away from humanity because of a disfigured face, which he hides behind a mask. He has been remotely teaching a young chorus girl, Christine Daee (Joy Geria), to sing. She has never met him, only knows him as the ‘Angel of Music’.

Emmanuel Atuhaire as Raoul and Joy Geria as Christine in the musical The Phantom of the Opera that premiered at the Serena on Saturday. (Photo by Kalungi kabuye)

When the resident soprano, Carlotta (Gloria Nambozo) throws a diva fit and refuses to perform, Christine is brought in to replace her, and is an instant success. Raoul (Emmanuel Atuhaire), the opera's new patron, recognises her as a childhood friend, and the two eventually fall in love.

But the Phantom has always secretly been in love with Christine, and so a love triangle develops with some tragic consequences.

It is supposed to be a dark tale, and almost every review warns about the garrotting that takes place several times. But this was more of a celebration, and if you didn’t know the story, you probably missed the killings, or even understood what they were.

A scene from The Phantom of the Opera which premiered at the Serena on Saturday. (Photo by Kalungi Kabuye)

As one theatre critic wrote, you do not have to understand the songs to follow the story and enjoy the performances. And these were nothing short of spectacular, and the sell-out crowd obviously appreciated them. So much they forgave the few almost inevitable glitches.

But they really have to do something about the Serena waiters and waitresses who constantly move up and down taking and delivering orders, they became something of a nuisance. Maybe the audience should only buy drinks before the show starts and during intermission.

Special mention goes to the 20-piece orchestra and the very able conductor Kiggundu Musoke, Director of Kampala Music School. We never got a chance to have a close look at them, mostly in shadows as it were. But they did a very commendable job.

Kampala’s ‘elite’ are notorious for showing up for high-end events just to be seen, and then leave. A few did leave early on Saturday, but the great majority stayed throughout the 2-hour-plus show, through the ‘thank you speeches at the end, and even stayed behind to chat with the cast and crew. Quite a few were heard promising to go to the National Theatre and watch the show again.

Executive Producer Kabiito Karamagi gives a word of thanks at the premiere of The Phantom of the Opera at the Serena on Saturday. (Photo by Kalungi Kabuye)

After Saturday’s premiere, the show moves to the National Theatre for the rest of the month. I plan to go and watch one of the later shows, without a camera and not taking notes. And a word of advice for those going to watch it, read up on the story, and if possible listen to the songs. But mostly go for the singing, the dancing, and the spectacular show. For this one time, believe the hype.