The Phantom of the Opera1986

Firmin:
[sings] Mystery! After Gala night, it says mystery, of soprano's flight. Mystified, all the papers say, we are mystified, we suspect foul play, Bad news on soprano scene - First Carlotta, now Christine! Still, at least the seats get sold: Gossip's worth its weight in gold ...What a way to run a business. Spare me these unending trials. Half your cast disappears, but the crowd still cheers. Opera! To hell with Gluck and Handel, have a scandal and you're sure to have a hit!

Andre:
[bursts into the opera, sings] Damnable! Will they all walk out? This is damnable!

Firmin:
Andre, please don't shout... It's publicity! And the take is vast! Free publicity!

Andre:
But we have no cast!

Firmin:
André, have you seen the queue? [Spots letter in Andre's hand] Oh, it seems you've got one too...

Andre:
[singing the Phantom's note to him] Dear Andre, what a charming gala, Christine was in a word sublime. We were hardly bereft when Carlotta left; on that note, the diva's a disaster, must you cast her when she's seasons past her prime?

Firmin:
[singing the Phantom's note to him] Dear Firmin, just a brief reminder. My salary has not been paid. Send it care of the Ghost by return of post, P.T.O! No one likes a debtor so it's better if my orders are obeyed!

Firmin and Andre:
Who would have the gall to send this? Someone with a puerile brain.

Firmin:
These are both signed O.G.

Andre:
Who the Hell is he?

Both:
Opera Ghost!

Firmin:
It's nothing short of shocking!

Andre:
He's mocking our position!

Firmin:
In addition, he wants money-

Andre:
What a funny apparition-

Firmin and Andre:
to expect a large retainer, nothing plainer, he is clearly quiet insane!

Raoul:
[busts in] Where is she?!

Firmin:
You mean Carlotta?

Raoul:
I mean Miss Daaé, where is she?

Andre:
Well, how should we know?

Raoul:
I want an answer! I take it that you sent me this note.

Andre:
What's all this nonsense?

Firmin:
Of course not!

Andre:
Don't look at us!

Raoul:
She's not with you, then?

Firmin:
Of course not!

Andre:
We're in the dark-

Raoul:
Monsieur, don't argue. Isn't this the letter you wrote?

Firmin:
And what is it we are meant to have wrote?

[spoken, correcting himself]

Firmin:
Written.

Andre:
[reading note from the Phantom] "Do not fear for Miss Daaé. The Angel of Music has her under his wing. Make no attempt to see her again."

Raoul:
If you didn't write it, who did?

Carlotta:
[busts in, singing] Where is he?

Andre:
Ah, welcome back-

Carlotta:
Your precious patron, where is he?

Raoul:
What is it now?

Carlotta:
I have your letter - a letter which I rather resent

Firmin:
And did you send it?

Raoul:
Of course not!

Andre:
As if he would!

Carlotta:
You didn't send it?

Raoul:
Of course not!

Andre:
What's going on?

Carlotta:
You dare to tell me that this is not the letter you sent?

Raoul:
And what is it that I'm meant to have sent?

[Carlotta holds out letter; Raoul takes it and begins to read it]

Raoul:
[spoken] Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered. Christine Daaé will be singing on your behalf tonight-

Carlotta:
[hisses] Christine Daaé!

Raoul:
[ignores her] be prepared for a great misfortune should you attempt to take her place.

Firmin and Andre:
[sings] Far too many notes for my taste, and most of them about Christine, all we've heard since we've came is Miss Daaé's name-

Madame Giry:
[walks up] Miss Daaé has returned.

Firmin:
I hope no worse for wear so far as we're concerned?

Andre:
Where precisely is she now?

Madame Giry:
I thought it best she was alone.

Meg Giry:
She needed rest.

Raoul:
May I see her?

Madame Giry:
No, Monsieur, she will see no one.

Firmin, Andre and Carlotta:
Will she sing, will she sing?

Madame Giry:
Here, I have a note.

Firmin, Andre, Raoul and Carlotta:
Let me see it!

Firmin:
...Please. [reads] Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature, detailing how my theater is to be run! You have not followed my instructions...

[fades into the Phantom's voice]

The Phantom:
... I shall give you one last chance. [sung] Christine Daaé has returned to you, and I am anxious her career should progress. In the new production of "Il Muto", you will therefore cast Carlotta... as the Pageboy, and put Miss Daaé in the role of Countess. The role which Miss Daaé plays calls for charm and appeal. The role of the Pageboy is silent, which makes my casting in a word, ideal. [spoken] I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in Box Five, which will be kept empty for me. Should these commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imaginations will occur. I remain, gentlemen, you obedient servant. O. G.

Carlotta:
[sings] Christine!!

Firmin and Andre:
[sings] Whatever next?

Firmin, Andre and Carlotta:
It's all a ploy to help Christine!

Firmin:
This is all insane!

Carlotta:
I know who sent this - The Vicomte - her lover!

Raoul:
Indeed! Can you believe this?

Firmin:
Signora!

Carlotta:
The Vicomte!

Firmin:
Signora!

Andre:
You are our star!

Firmin:
And always will be!

Andre:
Signora!

Firmin:
The man is mad!

Andre:
We don't take orders!

Firmin:
Miss Daaé will be playing the pageboy! The silent role.

Firmin and Andre:
Carlotta will be playing the lead!

Carlotta:
It's useless trying to appease me!

Piangi:
Appease her!

Carlotta:
You're only saying this to please me!

Piangi:
To please her!

[Piangi and Carlotta sing in incomprehensible Italian]

Giry:
To scorn his word, beware to those. The Angel sees, the Angel knows.

Andre and Firmin:
Signora, pardon us!

Carlotta:
You have replaced me!

Andre and Firmin:
Please, Signora, we beseech you!

Raoul:
I must see her.

Carlotta:
[more incomprehensible Italian]

Andre and Firmin:
Signora, sing for us! Don't be a martyr! What new surprises are in store? [company opens main opera doors to a crowd of people who rush towards Carlotta. A man holds out a rose.]

Man:
Could you please give this to Miss Daae? [doors begin to close] Miss Daae?

Andre:
[trying to convince Carlotta to come back and sing] Your public needs you!

Firmin:
We need you, too!

Carlotta:
Would you not rather have your precious little ingénue?

Andre and Firmin:
Signora, no! The world wants you! Prima donna, first lady of the stage! Your devotees are on their knees to implore you!

Andre:
Can you bow out when they're shouting your name?

Firmin:
Think of how they all adore you!

Andre, Firmin:
Prima Donna, enchant us once again!

Andre:
Think of your muse...

Firmin:
And of the queues round the theatre!

Andre, Firmin:
Can you deny us the triumph in store? Sing, Prima Donna, once more!