Whangarei musical theatre star Luke Bird has been getting rave reviews for the role he plays in Wellington Musical Theatre's production of The Phantom of the Opera. The whole production, in fact, has been thrilling audiences and impressing reviewers since it opened at the city's lovely St James Theatre aweek ago.
Highlights included Bird's characterisation of Andre and Craig Beardsworth's Firmin - "a perfectly timed and fantastically sung comic duo. Their diction in particular is faultless," said one reviewer.
Another: "All the serious love triangle stuff was balanced out by lighter moments too. Monsieur Firmin (Craig Beardsworth) and Monsieur Andre (Luke Bird) performed their 'basso buffo' to the audience's delight! Indeed, Bird is like our very own Graham Norton and, since his commitment has extended to travelling from Whangarei to be involved in this production, he deserves a special thanks because his performance was a treat."
The director, designer and choreographer have done a capital job bringing the only New Zealand production of the Phantom to the stage.
And performer Chris Crowe, in the lead role of the Phantom, has been lauded for his emotion, range and vocal power, and ability to manipulate the audience's senses.
