Quick Disclaimer, most of this is comparing the book Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux to the Broadway musical adaption by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
I was first introduced to Phantom through the Broadway musical, and it quickly became one of my favorites. It had been a childhood favorite of my mothers which only spurred my interest further. Typically, I try and read the book before any adaptations, but I genuinely enjoyed the contrast between the musical and the book, as I was able to analyze what Webber had to do to condense a wide spread and well known book into a two hour stage adaption. The book is very different, the characters aren’t the same and have much more personality, and the motives and true reasoning behind most of their actions are clear after reading. Webber’s lyrics took on a whole new meaning and I was interested in Webber’s version of the Phantom. Gaston Leroux was a well known journalist during the 1920’s. He traveled the world for stories, chasing whatever leads he wanted. When he wrote this book, it became very popular very fast and has remained one that can be considered classic literature. I thoroughly enjoyed the time that this was written and the technologies and possibilities for the characters, though I think that the main reason why I love the whole concept and adaptations of Leroux’s book is due to the way that each man interprets it. Movie after movie has been made since the release of the book, the longest running Broadway show and a literary classic all tell the story of the same character, Eric, or the Phantom of the Opera, but no two phantoms are alike. His motives may change, his meanings may differ, while each choice may be identical and the outcome the same, there is an infinite number of ways that the phantom can be played and shown due to the information given or taken to his character. Each actor that portrays him creates a new Eric and I love it. Each reader has their own idea of who the phantom is and why he would do the things that he did. Many people pity him, dismissing his crimes as the work of a hopeless romantic who has no idea how to properly address the emotions that he’s feeling. Others hate him, making him into a cruel monster who has no respect for the emotions of others and purely acts on what he is feeling and what he wants. I like to think that my perspective lies between the two, though I do pity his upbringing and the circumstances he was placed in. Overall, I love the adaptions, the show, and the book. I like the way that it looks into human behaviour and why people act on somethings. If you haven’t read it or listened to the musical, I was highly suggest it.
Also: Raoul is a bean and I will defend him to my grave. Happy Reading!
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