Francesca Ellis and Ellie Young play alongside one another as mother and daughter, Madame and Meg Giry, in the hugely successful West End production of The Phantom of The Opera.
Following the closure of theatres due to the pandemic, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera has returned to its home, Her Majesty’s Theatre and is now celebrating its 35th anniversary in London’s West End.
The West End’s most haunting love story, stars double Olivier Award nominee Killian Donnelly as The Phantom, Lucy St. Louis as Christine Daaé and Rhys Whitfield as Raoul.
The Phantom of the Opera has played to over 145 million people in 41 countries and 183 cities in 17 languages. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s romantic, haunting and soaring score includes Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, Masquerade and the iconic title song.
For anyone who hasn’t seen The Phantom of the Opera, how would you describe the show?
Francesca: I would describe the show as a gothic melodrama about a disfigured genius who falls in love with his protégé
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Ellie: A dark and twisted love tale with embellishments of glitter, extravagance and some humour laced through from beginning to end.
Tell us a little about your roles, Madame and Meg Giry?
Francesca: Madame Giry is the ballet mistress of the Opera Populaire, mother to Meg and accomplice to the Phantom. Having first encountered the Phantom locked in a cage at a freak show in a travelling fair, she becomes a protective figure in his life.
Ellie: Meg is young and headstrong. Best friend to Christine, she crops up throughout the show, often somewhere she’s not meant to be.
What is your favourite thing about your character?
Francesca: There are many things I love about Madame Giry, but if I had to choose one….it’s her power. Her ability to silence a room with one bang of her cane. That’s really quite special.
Ellie: I really can relate to Meg Giry. She also has so much versatility within the show. Meg is always jumping from one scene to another and stays relevant to the story throughout.
You play mother and daughter on stage, what do you admire most about each other’s performances?
Francesca: I admire Ellie’s incredible dance ability, it’s so beautiful to watch, but her energy and sense of fun as Meg really makes for an interesting contrast to Madame Giry. She literally sparkles.
Ellie: Fran is so incredibly professional, she has an awful lot of experience and it shows! We have a great off stage relationship too and although she’s not old enough to be my real mother, she has really taken me under her wing. Which as a young performer is greatly appreciated! I think she is fantastic in the role and our relationship as mother and daughter on stage allows me a lot of time to watch her.
How does it feel being part of such a well-loved and enduring production?
Francesca: Initially it felt daunting given its huge following and the responsibility to do justice to such an incredible piece. But now I feel so lucky and very proud to be a part of its history and greatness. I still get goosebumps when I hear the overture…honest truth!!!
Ellie: It has been a real blessing coming to work on a show of this calibre after the pandemic. Seeing the reactions to it reminds us of how important this show is to the public and I believe we all feel a sense of duty to keep it at an exceptional standard.
What’s your favourite memory from your time at Phantom so far?
Francesca: It has to be the first preview we did. It was absolutely electric…the audience were incredible and the curtain call was one of those pinch me moments where you feel like you’re dreaming. There were tears.
Ellie: Some of my favourite memories are from rehearsals. Times when we get to work with the people who worked with those who invented the show. It is essential that we stay true to the original vision whilst exploring the potential to bring our own influences to our performance. Our creatives are fantastic and they bring both fun and innovation to the show.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking tickets to see The Phantom of the Opera?
Francesca: Expect a sumptuous feast of drama, decadence and darkness with a stunning score, beautiful storytelling and some giggles amongst a breath-taking set and costumes to die for!!!……Too much? Ha!
Ellie: You might be pleasantly surprised. I can’t tell you how many people have told me that they weren’t expecting it to be their new favourite west end show!
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