unruhka Review of Love Never Dies

Love Never Dies (II) (2012)

A few plot additions for clarity would improve the story.

[7/10 · 8 February 2018]

I must first say that I wasn't thrilled with LND when I first saw it. I was comparing it to another show and it suffered for my bias. But I couldn't forget about it and checked it out a second time from the library. Seeing it long after I'd seen the other show, my eyes and ears were more open to this production, and I love it! Just a few plot points could improve it, though. Why would the Phantom wait ten years? Why would he have used an opportunity created by Hammerstein rather than creating his own? At one point he tells her to take the boy and go. Be free. But then he immediately goes to Raoul and places a bet with him. I believe this js because, instead of walking away, she promises to sing before she leaves and they both sing of their souls being whole and alive once more, and he decides that, while he's giving her freedom, he's still wants her to choose him and will do just about anything to give himself more of an edge. This could be clarified. Otherwise it looks like he told her to go and be free and then changes his mind. I would rather the ending have not been his fault, indirectly. He is a genius but he mentions Christine while trying to talk Meg down. And then pulls the gun towards everyone when trying to get it away from Meg, which results in Christine's death. I think my biggest issue is that she dies. I hate sad endings and they waited so long to be whole again. I just love Ben Lewis' portrayal of the Phantom but did think a little extra time could have served to explain things better.