SCENES 1 THRU 5

SCENE ONE

THE STAIRCASE OF THE OPERA HOUSE

(A gauze half conceals the tableau of guests at the opera ball. The guests (whom we cannot yet see clearly) are in fancy dress - a peacock, a lion, a dragon, Mephistopheles, a highwayman, a clown, knights, ladies, an executioner. M. ANDRE enters. He is dressed as a skeleton, in an opera cape. almost immediately M. FIRMIN arrives. he is also dressed as a skeleton in an opera cape. the two skeletons see each other and approach nervously)

ANDRE

M'sieur Firmin?

FIRMIN

M'sieur Andre?

(Each raises his mask to the other. They recognize each other)

FIRMIN

Dear Andre, what a splendid party!

ANDRE

The prologue to a bright new year!

FIRMIN

Quite a night! I'm impressed!

ANDRE

Well, one does one's best...

ANDRE/FIRMIN (raising their glasses)

Here's to us!

FIRMIN

I must say all the same, that it's a shame that 'Phantom' fellow isn't here!

(The gauze lifts fully to reveal the staircase of the opera house. The opera ball begins. Among the GUESTS are four carrying strange percussion instruments: a monkey with cymbals, a toy soldier with a drum, a triangle, bells. Together they play wierdly throughout)

CHORUS

Masquerade! Paper faces on parade...Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you!

Masquerade! Every face a different shade...Masquerade! Look around-there's another mask behind you!

Flash of mauve...Splash of puce...Fool and king...Ghoul and goose...Green and black...Queen and priest...Trace of rouge...Face of beast...

Faces...Take you turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round...in an inhuman race...

Eye of gold...Thigh of blue...True is false...Who is who...?Curl of lip...Swirl of gown...Ace of hearts...Face of clown...

RAOUL/CHRISTINE

But who can name the face...?

ALL

Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds...Masquerade! Take your fill-let the spectacle astound you!

Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads...Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you!

Masquerade! Seething shadows, breathing lies...Masquerade! You can fool any friend who ever knew you!

Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes...Masquerade! Run and hide-but a face will still pursue you!

(The ENSEMBLE activity becomes background, as ANDRE, FIRMIN, MEG, GIRY, PIANGI and CARLOTTA come to the fore, glasses in hand)

GIRY

What a night!

MEG

What a crowd!

ANDRE

Makes you glad!

FIRMIN

Makes you proud! All the creme de la creme!

CARLOTTA

Watching us watching them!

MEG/GIRY

And all our fears are in the past!

ANDRE

Six months...

PIANGI

Of relief!

CARLOTTA

Of delight!

ANDRE/FIRMIIN

Of Elysian peace!

MEG/GIRY

And we can breathe at last!

CARLOTTA

No more notes!

PIANGI

No more ghost!

GIRY

Here's a health!

ANDRE

Here's a toast: to a prosperous year!

FIRMIN

To the new chandelier!

PIANGI/CARLOTTA

And may its splendour never fade!

FIRMIN

Six months!

GIRY

What a joy!

MEG

What a change!

FIRMIN/ANDRE

What a blessed release!

ANDRE

And what a masquerade!

(They clink glasses and move off. RAOUL and CHRISTINE emerge. She is admiring a new acquistion: an engagement ring from RAOUL, which she has attached to a gold chain around her neck)

CHRISTINE

Think of it! A secret engagement! Look-your future bride! Just think of it!

RAOUL

But why is it secret? What have we to hide?

CHRISTINE

Please, let's not fight...

RAOUL

Christine, you're free!

CHRISTINE

Wait till the time is right...

RAOUL

When will that be? It's an engagement, not a crime! Christine, What are you afraid of?

CHRISTINE

Let's not argue...

RAOUL

Let's not argue...

CHRISTINE

Please pretend..

RAOUL

I can only hope I'll...

CHRISTINE

You will...

BOTH

...understand in time...

(Dance section, in which CHRISTINE, almost coquettish, almost jittery, goes from man to man. But too many of her partners, seem to be replicas of the PHANTOM, and each spins her with increasing force. Eventually RAOUL rescues her and holds her tightly. He whirls her back into the dance, as the music heads toward its climax)

ALL

Masquerade! Paper faces on parade! Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you!

(At the height of the activity a grotesque figure suddenly appears at the top of the staircase. Dressed all in crimson, with a death's head visible inside the hood of his robe, the PHANTOM has come to the party. With dreadfull wooden steps he descends the stairs and takes the centre of the stage)

PHANTOM

Why so silent, good messieurs? Did you think that I had left you for good? Have you missed me, good messieures? I have written you an opera!

(He takes from under his robe an enormous bound manuscript)

Here I bring the finished score-'Don Juan Triumphant'!

(He throws it to ANDRE)

I advise you to comply-my instructions should be clear-Remember, there are worse things than a shattered chandelier...

(CHRISTINE, mesmerized, approaches as the PHANTOM beckons her. He reaches out, grasps the chain that holds the secret engagement ring, and rips it from her throat)

Your chains are still mine-you will sing for me!

(ALL cower in suspense as the music crescendos, until, suddenly, his figure evaporates)

SCENE 2

BACKSTAGE

(GIRY is hurrying across. RAOUL appears and calls after HER)

RAOUL

Madame Giry. Madame Giry...

GIRY

Monsieur, don't ask me-I know no more than anyone else.

(She moves off again. He stops her)

RAOUL

That's not true. You've seen something, haven't you?

GIRY (uneasily)

I don't know what I've seen...Please don't ask me, monsieur...

RAOUL (desperately)

Madame, for all our sakes...

GIRY

(she has glanced nervously about her and, suddenly deciding to trust him, cuts in):

Very well. It was years ago. There was a travelling fair in the city. Tumblers, conjurors, human oddities...

RAOUL

Go on...

GIRY (trance-like as she retraces the past)

And there was...I shall never forget him: a man...locked in a cage...

RAOUL

In a cage...?

GIRY

A prodigy, monsieur! Scholar, architect, musician...

RAOUL (piecing together the jigsaw)

RAOUL

A composer...

GIRY

And an inventor, too, monsieur. They boasted he had once built for the Shah of Persia, a maze of mirrors...

RAOUL (mystified and impatient, cuts in)

Who was this man...?

GIRY (with a shudder)

A freak of nature...more monster than man...

RAOUL (a murmur)

Deformed...?

GIRY

From birth, it seemed...

RAOUL

My God...

GIRY

And then...he went missing. he escaped.

RAOUL

Go on.

GIRY

They never found him-it was said he had died...

RAOUL (darkly)

But he didn't die, did he?

GIRY

The world forgot him, but I never can...For in this darkness I have seen him again...

RAOUL

And so our Phantom's this man...

GIRY (starts from her daze and turns to go)

I have said too much, monsieur.

(She moves off into the surrounding blackness)

And there have been too many accidents...

RAOUL (ironical)

Accidents?!

GIRY

Too many...

(And before he can question her further, she has disappeared)

RAOUL (running after her)

Madame Giry...!

SCENE 3

THE MANAGERS' OFFICE

(The PHANTOM'S score lies open on the desk. ANDRE is impatiently flicking through it)

ANDRE

Ludicrous! Have you seen the score?

FIRMIN (entering)

Simply ludicrous!

ANDRE

It's the final straw!

FIRMIN

This is lunacy! Well, you know my views...

ANDRE

Utter lunacy!

FIRMIN

But we daren't refuse...

ANDRE (groans)

Not another chandelier...

FIRMIN

Look, my friend what we have here...

(He has two notes from the PHANTOM, one of which he hands to ANDRE, who opens it and reads):

ANDRE

'Dear Andre, Re my orchestrations: We need another first bassoon. get a player with tone-and that third trombone has to go! The man could not be deafer, so please preferably one who plays in tune!'

FIRMIN (reading his letter)

'Dear Firmin, vis a vis my opera: some chorus-members must be sacked. If you could, find out which has a sense of pitch-wisely, though, I've managed to assign a rather minor role to those who cannot act!'

(They are interrupted by the arrival of CARLOTTA and PIANGI, both furiously brandishing similar notes)

CARLOTTA

Outrage!

FIRMIN

What is it now?

CARLOTTA

This whole affair is an outrage!

FIRMIN

Signora, please...

ANDRE

Now what's the matter?

CARLOTTA

Have you seen the size of my part?

ANDRE

Signora, listen...

PIANGI

It's an insult!

FIRMIN

Not you as well!

PIANGI

Just look at this-it's an insult!

FIRMIN

Please, understand...

ANDRE

Signor! Signora!

CARLOTTA

The things I have to do for my art!

PIANGI (stabbing a finger at the open score)

If you can call this gibberish 'art'?

(RAOUL and CHRISTINE enter, CARLOTTA bristles)

CARLOTTA (dryly)

Ah! Here's our little flower!

FIRMIN

Ah, Miss Daae, quite the lady of the hour!

ANDRE (explaining)

You have secured the largest role in this 'Don Juan'.

CARLOTTA (half to herself)

Christine Daae? She doesn't have the voice!

FIRMIN (hearing this, to CARLOTTA)

Signora, please!

RAOUL (to the MANAGERS)

Then I take it you're agreeing.

CARLOTTA (aside)

She's behind this...

ANDRE

It appears we have no choice.

CARLOTTA (unable to contain herself any longer, points accusingly)

She's the one behind this! Christine Daae!

CHRISTINE (who has been silent till now, incensed at this)

How dare you!

CARLOTTA

I'm not a fool!

CHRISTINE

You evil woman! How dare you!

CARLOTTA

You think I'm blind?

CHRISTINE

This isn't my fault! I don't want any part in this plot!

FIRMAN

Miss Daae, surely...

ANDRE

But why not?

PIANGI (baffled, to CARLOTTA)

What does she say?

FIRMIN (reasonably)

It's your decision-

(Suddenly rounding on her)

But why not?

CARLOTTA (to PIANGI)

She's backing out!

ANDRE

You have a duty!

CHRISTINE

I cannot sing it, duty or not!

RAOUL (comforting)

Christine...Christine...You don't have to...they can't make you...

(MEG and GIRY arrive, the latter bearing another note from the PHANTOM)

GIRY

Please, monsieur: another note.

(The MANAGERS gesture:'read it'. As she reads. ALL react variously, as they are singled out)

GIRY

'Fondest greetings to you all! A few instructions, just before rehearsal starts: Carlotta must be taught to act...,'

(The PHANTOM'S voice gradually takes over from her)

...not her normal trick of strutting round the stage. Our Don Juan must lose some weight-it's not healthy in a man of Piangi's age. And my managers must learn that their place is in an office, not the arts.

As for Miss Christine Daae...No doubt she'll do her best-its's true her voice is good. She knows, though, should she wish to excel, she has much still to learn, if pride will let her return to me, her teacher, her teacher...Your obedient friend...

(The PHANTOM'S voice fades out and GIRY takes over)

GIRY

...and Angel...

(Attention now focuses on RAOUL, whose eyes are suddenly bright with a new thought)

RAOUL

We have all been blind-and yet the answer is staring us in the face...This could be the chance to ensnare our clever friend...

ANDRE

We're listening...

FIRMIN

Go on...

RAOUL

We shall play his game-perform his work-but remember we hold the ace..For, if Miss Daae sings, he is certain to attend...

ANDRE (carried along by the idea)

We make certain the doors are barred...

FIRMIN (likewise)

We make certain our men are there...

RAOUL

We make certain they're armed...

RAOUL/ANDRE/FIRMIN (savouring their victory)

The curtain falls-his reign will end!

(ALL have been listening intently: GIRY is the first to express a reaction. CHRISTINE remains silent and withdrawn)

GIRY

Madness!

ANDRE

I'm not so sure...

FIRMIN

Not if it works...

GIRY

This is madness!

ANDRE

The tide will turn!

GIRY

Monsieur, believe me-there is no way of turning the tide!

FIRMIN (to GIRY)

You stick to ballet!

RAOUL (rounding on GIRY)

Then help us!

GIRY

Monsieur, I can't...

RAOUL

Instead of warning us...

RAOUL/ANDRE/FIRMIN

Help us!

GIRY

I wish I could...

RAOUL/ANDRE/FIRMIN

Don't make excuses!

RAOUL

Or could it be that you're on his side?

GIRY (to RAOUL)

Monsieur, believe me, I intend no ill...

(to ANDRE and FIRMIN)

But messieurs, be careful-we have seen him kill...

ANDRE/FIRMIN (to GIRY)

We say he'll fall, and fall he will!

CARLOTTA

She's the one behind this! Christine! This is all her doing!

PIANGI

This is the truth! Christine Daae!

RAOUL

This is his undoing!

ANDRE/FIRMIN (to RAOUL)

If you succeed, you free us all-this so-called 'angel' has to fall!

RAOUL

Angel of music, fear my fury- Here is where you fall!

GIRY (to RAOUL)

Hear my warning! Fear his fury!

CARLOTTA

What glory can she hope to gain? It's clear to all the girl's insane!

ANDRE (to FIRMIN)

If Christine sings we'll get our man...

PIANGI

She is crazy! She is raving!

FIRMIN (to ANDRE)

If Christine helps us in this plan...

RAOUL

Say your prayers, black angel of death!

CHRISTINE (vainly pleading amidst the tumult)

Please don't...

ANDRE (to FIRMIN)

If Christine won't, then no one can...

GIRY (to RAOUL)

Monsieur, I beg you, do not do this...

PIANGI/CARLOTTA

Gran Dio! Che imbroglio!

ANDRE/FIRMIN

This will seal his fate!

CHRISTINE (bursting through the hubbub with a great cry)

If you don't stop, I'll go mad!!!

(to RAOUL, pleading)

Raoul, I'm frightened-don't make me do this...Raoul, it scares me-don't put me through this ordeal by fire...he'll take me, I know... we'll be parted for ever..he won't let me go...

What I once used to dream I now dread...if he finds me, it won't ever end...and he'll always be there, singing songs in my head... He'll always be there, singing songs in my head...

(ALL stare at her)

CARLOTTA

She's mad...

RAOUL (to CHRISTINE)

You said yourself he was nothing but a man...yet while he lives, he will haunt us till we're dead...

(CHRISTINE turns away, unhappily)

CHRISTINE

Twisted every way, what answer can I give? Am I to risk my life, to win the chance to live? Can I betray the man, who once inspired my voice? Do I become his prey? Do I have any choice?

He kills without a thought, he murders all that's good...I know I can't refuse, and yet, I wish I could...Oh God-if I agree, what horrors wait for me in this, the Phantom's opera...?

RAOUL (to CHRISTINE, very tenderly)

Christine, Christine, don't think that I don't care-but every hope and every prayer rests on you now...

(CHRISTINE, overcome by her conflicting emotions, turns away and hurries out. RAOUL strides forward and addresses an imaginary PHANTOM)

RAOUL

So, it is to be war between us! But this time, clever friend, the disaster will be yours!

(As lights fade, ATTENDANTS stretch a red, velvet rope across the downstage area. OTHERS bring on gilt chairs. CARLOTTA, PIANGI and GIRY move downstage to take their places for the next scene)

SCENE 4

A REHEARSAL FOR 'DON JUAN TRIUMPHANT'

(REYER supervises the learning of the new piece from the piano. Present are PIANGI, CHRISTINE, CARLOTTA, GIRY and CHORUS)

CHORUS

Hide your sword now, wounded knight! Your vainglorious gasconnade brought you to your final fight - for your pride, high price you've paid!

CHRISTINE

Silken couch and hay-filled barn - both have been his battlefield.

PIANGI (wrong)

Those who tangle with Don Juan....

REYER (stopping him)

No, no, no! Chorus - rest please.

Don Juan, Signor Piangi - here is the phrase.

(He demonstrates it)

'Those who tangle with Don Juan...'

If you please?

PIANGI (still wrong)

Those who tangle with Don Juan...

REYER

No,no. Nearly - but no.

'Those who tan,tan,tan...'

PIANGI (still wrong)

Those who tangle with Don Juan...

CARLOTTA (to the OTHERS)

His way is better. At least he makes it sound like music!

GIRY (to CARLOTTA)

Signora - would you speak that way in the presence of the composer?

CARLOTTA (deaf to the implications of this remark)

The composer is not here. And if he were here, I would...

GIRY (cutting in, ominous)

Are you certain of that, Signora...?

REYER

So, once again - after seven.

(He gives the note and counts in)

Five, six, seven....

PIANGI (wrong again)

Those who tangle with Don Juan...

(Gradually EVERYONE starts either to talk or to practise the phrase simultaneously)

CARLOTTA

Ah, piu non posso! What does it matter what notes we sing?

GIRY

Have patience, Signora.

CARLOTTA

No one will know if it is right, or if it is wrong. No one will care if it is right, or if it is wrong.

CARLOTTA (mocking)

Those who tangle with Don Juan!

PIANGI (trying again)

Those who tan...tan...

(to CHRISTINE)

Is right?

CHRISTINE (to PIANGI)

Not quite, Signor:

Those who tan..tan...

REYER (attempting to restore order)

Ladies...Signor Piangi....if you please...

(REYER thumps the piano keys, then leaves the piano, and attempts to attract attention using signals. At the height of the mayhem, the piano suddenly begins to demonstrate the music unaided. It plays with great force and rhythm. ALL fall silent and freeze, then suddenly start to sing the piece robotically and accurately. As they continue to sing, CHRISTINE moves away from the group)

ALL EXCEPT CHRISTNE

Poor young maiden! For the thrill on your tongue of stolen sweets you will have to pay the bill - tangled in the winding sheets!

(As the ENSEMBLE becomes background, CHRISTINE, transfixed, sings independently):

CHRISTINE

In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came...That voice which calls to me and speaks my name...

(The scene begins to change. Trance-like, CHRISTINE moves slowly upstage. We hear the distant sound of bells)

Little Lotte thought of everything and nothing...Her father promised her that he would send her the Angel of Music... Her father promised her...Her father promised her...

SCENE 5

A GRAVEYARD

(A mausoleum with hanging moss. In the centre a pyramid of skulls in front of a cross)

CHRISTINE

You were once my one companion...you were all that mattered...

You were once a friend and father - then my world was shattered...

Wishing you were somehow here again...wishing you were somehow near...

Sometimes it seemed, if I just dreamed, somehow you would be here...

Wishing I could hear your voice again...knowing that I never would...

Dreaming of you won't help me to do all that you dreamed I could...

Passing bells and sculpted angels, cold and monumental, seem, for you, the wrong companions - you were warm and gentle...

Too many years fighting back tears..Why can't the past just die...?

Wishing you were somehow here again...knowing we must say goodbye...

Try to forgive...teach me to live...give me the strength to try...

No more memories, no more silent tears...Nor more gazing across the wasted years...

Help me say goodbye.

(The PHANTOM emerges from behind the cross)

PHANTOM (very soft and enticing)

Wandering child...so lost...so helpless..yearning for my guidance...

(Bewildered, CHRISTINE looks up, and murmurs breathlessly):

CHRISTINE

Angel...or father..friend...or Phantom...?

Who is it there, staring...?

PHANTOM (more and more hypnotic)

Have you forgotten your Angel...?

CHRISTINE

Angel...oh, speak...What endless longings echo in this whisper...!

(RAOUL appears in the shadows and watches for a moment, transfixed)

PHANTOM (now drawing CHRISTINE towards him)

Too long you've wandered in winter...

RAOUL ( to himself, a murmur)

Once again she is his...

PHANTOM

Far from my far-reaching gaze...

RAOUL

Once again she returns...

CHRISTINE (increasingly mesmerized)

Wildly my mind beats against you...

PHANTOM

You resist...

PHANTOM/CHRISTINE

Yet your/the soul obeys...

RAOUL

...to the arms of her angel...angel or demon...still he calls her..

luring her back, from the grave..angel or dark seducer...? Who are you, strange angel...?

PHANTOM

Angel of Music! You denied me, turning from true beauty...

Angel of Music! Do not shun me...Come to your strange Angel...

CHRISTINE

Angel of Music! I denied you, turning from true beauty...

Angel of Music! My protector...Come to me, strange Angel...

(CHRISTINE moves towards the figure of the PHANTOM)

PHANTOM (beckoning her)

I am your Angel of Music...Come to me: Angel of Music...

RAOUL (suddenly calling out)

Angel of darkness! Cease this torment!

(Inexorably, the PHANTOM continues to beckon CHRISTINE)

PHANTOM

I am your Angel of Music...Come to me: Angel of Music...

RAOUL (in desperation)

Christine! Christine, listen to me! Whatever you may believe, this man...this thing.. is not your father!

(to the PHANTOM)

Let her go! For God's sake, let her go! Christine!

(Coming out of her trance, CHRISTINE turns and mouths the word):

CHRISTINE

Raoul, no....

(She runs to RAOUL, who embraces her protectively. The PHANTOM freezes for a moment and then suddenly seizes a pike, upon which is impaled a skull. At a movement from him, a flash of fire streaks from the gaping mouth of the skull, and lands at RAOUL's feet)

PHANTOM

Bravo, monsieur! Such spirited words!

(Another fireball)

RAOUL

More tricks, monsieur?

PHANTOM

Let's see, monsieur, how far you dare go!

(Another fireball)

RAOUL

More deception? More violence?

CHRISTINE (to RAOUL)

Raoul, no....

(RAOUL has begun to walk, slowly and resolutely, towards the PHANTOM, the fireballs always landing just ahead of him)

PHANTOM

That's right, that's right, monsieur - keep walking this way!

(Two more fireballs)

RAOUL

You can't win her love by making her your prisoner.

CHRISTINE

Raoul, don't...

RAOUL (to CHRISTINE)

Stay back!

PHANTOM

I'm here, I'm here, monsieur: the angel of death! Come on, come on, monsieur,

Don't stop, don't stop!

(Three more fireballs. Raoul is almost at the PHANTOM's feet. A confrontation is imminent, when CHRISTINE suddenly rushes across to RAOUL)

CHRISTINE

Raoul! Come back...

(She pulls him away)

PHANTOM

Don't go!

(As they are exiting, the Phantom declaims in fury):

So be it! Now let it be war upon you both!

(At a gesture from the PHANTOM, there is a flash of lighting and the stage erupts into flame)

END OF PART ONE OF ACT II

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SCENES 6 THRU 9

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