The Phantom of the Opera an intricate and delicate web. Photo by Gina Robb
THE MAGICALLY CAPTIVATING WEB THAT IS THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

By Suzi Broom


The story of The Phantom of the Opera can be described as something not unlike a spider’s web. With Intricate details and moments so delicate your breath itself could destroy the mere concept. A Web brought together with a passion and a love like no other. In the middle of it all, a beautifully misunderstood creature whose strength as well as vulnerability captures not only your heart but every thought of love that may have ever dared to venture across your conscious mind.

The musical master piece written by Andrew Lloyd Webber has once again spun its magically captivating web on the South African stage, this time at Montecasino’s Teatro, with a one hundred percent South African cast. In the title role of The Phantom is Jonathan Roxmouth and with the most recent accreditation to his name including an award winning performance of Judas in another of Andrew Lloyd Webbers Productions, Jesus Christ Super Star, he’s certain not to disappoint.

Originally cast as Raoul and the alternative Phantom to perform on Sundays, Roxmouth was bumped up to play the role of The Phantom full time when Andrè Schwartz took his final bow in this season of The Phantom of the Opera due to health reasons. Jonathan has taken the role he describes as a dream role, and turned it into a performance that will mirror The Phantoms love for Christine and never be forgotten.

G.E.M had the opportunity to interview Jonathan and take a closer look at how “The Man in the mask” has made his “bucket list” role a reality.


G.E.M Lifestyle reporter Suzi Broom with Jonathan Roxmouth. Photo by Gina Robb

While the role of The Phantom has been a goal for the young actor since high school he describes it as a double edged sword. “On the one hand you’re dealing with the biggest goal being realised, and on the other, because it’s come so early you have to wonder what do I do afterward, if anything reconsidering another 5 year plan and new goals.” Yet nothing could keep

      The Phantom of the Opera is now on stage at the Teatro, Montecasino. Photo by Gina Robb

Jonathan from auditioning for the role, his simple answer to how he found the confidence to audition, so early on in his career was that The Phantom is in fact his dream role and there was no question about it, “The fact that it was coming a second time meant it would be open to a whole new audience, it would be a premier, an event.” However despite the fact there was no question about auditioning, he says “the parrot of self-doubt” was incredibly loud.

Jonathan Roxmouth is currently performing as The Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.

Nonetheless it’s no secret that when realising any dream, with great power comes great responsibility and The Phantom of the Opera is by no means short on expectations. As pointed out by Jonathan himself, every audience member has a connection with the production. In my opinion if you don’t have one when you go in, you’ll most definitely have a strong attachment to The Phantom by the time you leave. Along with adjusting to the responsibility of expectations, Jonathan highlighted the adjustment to playing The Phantom full time rather than just twice a week was something that had to be taken into consideration.

In a show with such a wide and personal reputation Jonathan has an amazingly ground view on the criticism which is at this point in time almost nonexistent , mentioning that “the reality is, we have statues to Nelson Mandela, we have statues to F.W De Klerk, there’s not one statue to a critic”. But apart from the occasional critic, Jonathan says “You have to acknowledge where you have been to appreciate where you are going.” And this can be understood as more than appropriate. While Jonathan’s career may have begun with opportunities such as barnyard theatre performances, the path to success begins with one simple step, a leap of faith that will set you apart from the rest.
After recently winning one of South Africa’s most prestigious theatre awards for Best Actor in a Musical for his role as The Phantom, at the end of the day the man behind The Phantom is just like you and me, reaching for a dream.