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October 10th 2003 - before the show.

I was once invited BACKSTAGE! That was before the performance. Do I have to tell that it is one of the best moments of my life? I don't know exactly why, but I've fallen completely in love with the Danish production. I think it's a mixture of the beautiful theatre (sooo Phantom-ish) combined with an excellent cast and orchestra. I was more impressed by the Danish than both London and Hamburg - but that's me....

Anyway, I saw the extremely talented Viktoria Krantz playing "Christine" back in 2002, and I remember I thought she was stunning. So I sent her an email telling that. When I read that "Phantom" was re-opened autumn 2003, I immediately bought a ticket for a special event; Copenhagen Cultural Night, where they have a backstage event after the performance. I hoped Viktoria was performing, and sent her an email asking that. But she wrote back she wouldn't recieve any scedule until (probably) August. I forgot about the whole thing, but I happened to sign her guestbook at her official web site, along with a link to my costume site. She actually visited the site, and took a look at every costume I've made (including a few Phantom outfits). And a few days later, I received an email where she asked whether I would be interested in joining her backstage some hours before the show, so I could see the costumes and meet some of the performers. !!!!!!!!!! :D

Friday at 17:00 I met her outside the theatre, and she was just the sweetest person ever! She told me everything about the theatre, how it worked for the actors, where the different doors went etc. She kept on talking, and I just tried to follow her around. Suddenly - oh, this was one of the most beautiful moments of my life - she had led me to an all-dark place, and I didn't realize where we were. She stopped. I looked to the left, and saw the chandelier, which was freakin' taller than me (and I'm 1,80 m)!!! I was about to look to the right, or to ask her where we were, as my mind was dazed. But then they started playing a pre-recorded title duet, and the lights and the smoke started to come throught the floor (she placed me in a safe spot where I wouldn't be pierced or fall through). THEY REHEARSED THE LAIR SCENE!!! I can't possible tell you how beautiful it was. I almost started crying. A big candelabra came up right beside me, and I was even more amazed. "There were candles all around, and in the lake there was a boat...." YUP - the boat came. But the guy sitting in it, were one of the technicians in jeans and t-shirt, pretending to row the boat like it was a heavy viking ship (they just had a run-through to see if the boat behaved as it should). It looked hilarious, and of course everyone started laughing. It added a fun touch to my experience.

Next to the stage were a room for quick changes, and they had placed the costumes for today's performance there. I got to see two different "Elyssa" skirts, as well as some Carlotta outfits. Further up were the wardrobes, where I got to see the rest of the costumes. Viktoria told me everything I wanted to know and more; how they were to use in the different numbers, how heavy they were, how they were closed in the back due to quick costume changes, how the head dresses was in use etc. She shared wardrobe with Eva Malmgren ("Carlotta"), and I got to see and talk about a few costumes there as well. She also took me to see the Phantom's wardrobe and mask (which was very beautiful. I remember a discussion in a forum talking about how white/painted it is/was - well, this one was greyish white, with highlighted pink areas - like the cheek, chin and eyebrow). And finally, I got to see the costume storage, where there were like three version of every costume, in different sizes. They were so different in normal lightening! But still gorgeous.

Anyway, she had to warm up her voice and do some make up, so she escorted me out. I asked her to sign my programme, and she said "Do you need it during the show?". I said I didn't. Then she said she would try to get hold of the whole cast, and get them to sign it. Like I said - she was the sweetest (and kindest) person ever. And she asked me to meet her outside the stage entrance after the show. And so I did. She got 17 persons of the cast to sign my programme!!! And... I got to meet the guy playing Phantom and Piangi as well. The Piangi guy was new, and he wasn't too happy about his role (he thought the range too high for him). But he was wonderful in the role! I heard his voice cracked once at a high note, but stupid me thought he did that on purpose, as it suited the story and the situation very well...

And now to the Phantom.... O-H M-Y G-O-D. He was just awesome. Peter Jorde is just... *gasp* He was sooo perfected, and hit every note as I wanted him to do. We is a tall, slender guy, almost like a panther, and I think that suited the role very well. And his little hand movements... Those hands.... I really can't describe it. Of course, when I met him after the show (like 15 minutes after the Lair scene), I couldn't speak a word. What to say? I mean, he is just a normal, regular guy offstage, but after having seen him in such scenes as I did, I felt just stupid. Not the moment of his life to meet me, I guess... I gave him a CD, though, a double CD (ya' know those nice...uhm... shoes... lying around the web...) with the Danish cast. He's singing the Phantom on it. As nothing is to be released from the Danish production, he appeared to be very happy to receive it. He did give me a strange look, though ( ), and asked me where in the world I had found it. Uhm... You don't lie to a Phantom... I had though about whether to give it to him or not, and I came to the conclution that he probably wouldn't punjab lasso me... And as a side note: it wasn't ME who recorded it!

Viktoria Krantz did one last wonderful thing - she took me in the stage entrance, so that I didn't have to wait outside in 30 minutes to enter the backstage tour. It was a HUGE bunch of people wanting to experience that event, so I didn't mind skipping the queue... :D The backstage tour was exciting, and we got to see under the stage, the wings, the ballet room, and the attic and stuff, and they showed us some basic scene changes. But they prohibited people from entering the stage, and I just couldn't get my beautiful moment there out of my head...

Anyway, I got to thank Viktoria for her good heart and her time. I have no clue why she bothered to even meet me at all, but she did. And I cherish her soo much for that. She must have a heart of gold. And she delivered one h#ll of a show...


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