Vivek High students perform ‘The Phantom of the Opera’

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, November 4

The senior wing of Vivek High School, Sector 38, Chandigarh, presented a play, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, as a part of their 22nd Founder’s Week celebrations. 

Directed by Zubin Mehta, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, is one of the Broadway’s popular musicals based on Gaston Leroux’s novel set in the 19th century.

The play revolves around a young soprano, Christine, who becomes the obsession of a disfigured musical genius — Phantom — popularity known as the ‘Opera Ghost’. The play takes a sharp turn when Christine falls for the charms of handsome noble Viscount Raoul De Chagny, her childhood friend, not realising that the Phantom in love with her. 

The play beautifully tackles the love triangle of an insane jealousy, obsession and possessiveness of ‘The Phantom’, sacrifice of Christine to marry the disfigured musician to save life of her beloved Raoul and the brave attempt of Raoul who is prepared to go to any length to get her love of life back.

The lead character of ‘The Phantom’ is played flawlessly by Pratham Kalra, Christine Daaé by Shobhika Bali and Roul by Arjoon Arora.

Music added to the flow of narrative, while the choreography took everyone back to a time in the past, with sets and stage design that hark back to a time of refinement, poetry in manners, and dance styles of yesteryears.

The 100-plus strong student cast worked on dialogue delivery, posture, and subtle nuances to recreate the magic, showcasing a gamut of newly-acquired skills.

The choir, of amateur school singers, is exceptional in the presentation of the operatic style of singing; often considered the most formal and restrictive of all genres of vocal music.

The musical was adjudged by the Trinity College of London represented by George Logan. The production, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, has been entered for ‘Plays in Production’ – Grade 5. This is the fourth year where the Vivek High School production will be adjudged by the Trinity College of London. Last three years, the school productions received a “Distinction in Plays in Production”.