When I watched it, I really think of it as a stand alone opera and not as a sequel to POTO, although even if I think of it as a sequel I would still enjoyed it. From my understanding, After the final scene of the POTO, Christine was having second thoughts about marrying Raoul right on the day before the wedding (maybe she got cold feet or maybe she realised that all along she has always been in love with phantom) so she seek Phantom at his hiding place and they made love. At night time when Phantom met Christine, they thought that they might be able to work it out somehow, but comes morning Phantom knew that it won’t work out, first, he’s still ashamed of his disfigured face, and second, there is the fact that he’s a wanted man in Paris. So he left Christine, and fled from Paris with the help of Madame Giry and Meg.

As for the change in Raoul, well My theory is that, after the last scene in POTO he probably also noticed that Christine loves Phantom probably as much as she loves him or if not more, when she kissed Phantom the last time, that plus the lack of virginity on their wedding night, makes him feel insecure about Christine’s feelings, this insecurity caused him to start drinking and gambling to chase away those feelings. Also, in the Australian production, Raoul didn’t know that Gustave is Phantom’s son, it’s shown during his confrontation with Phantom at the bar, he was in shocked and denied it.

Then people saying that Phantom has become soft and social, well he’s in Coney Island where the freaks lived, so he’s pretty much feels more at ease there than in Paris, plus he knew then that Christine had loved him, so that could soften him up. And also, in POTO, it was shown that people only shows him disgust and contempt over his disfigurement which in turn caused him to be a bitter man, whereas in Coney island, people are more accepting so it makes some of his bitterness fade away. Another thing as well is that he was actually still quite mean/cruel in the beginning (in Australian Production, not sure with UK one) in terms that he actually threaten Christine that if she’s not singing in Phantasma, she would never be able to see Gustave again. It was the revelation that Gustave is his son, that changed his mind (as in his song, he said that Gustave is his saviour light)

And in the Australian production, they did show Phantom’s anguish over Christine’s death, he was going to jump from the pier, but the presence of Gustave again changed his mind.

I personally also love the story line, I think it’s nice, and simple. Most of the music are good too, costume, and settings are fabulous I love it. especially Christine’s costume when she sings Love Never Ends. Settings are amazing when Phantom and Gustave were singing Beauty Underneath ( which was one of my fav song in LND. Others are Beautiful, Love Never Dies, and Till I Hear You Sing)

Anyway, that’s just my personal opinion. Like any kind books/music/movies some will like it, some will hate it, and some will love it. With me, I simply loves it.

People should judge by themselves and not by what others said about it.

Dancing/choregraphy brilliant. Very very catchy, singalong, join in type of show.

My older son (10) perhaps didn’t enjoy it as much as the younger kids, but he is quite a shy child anyway.

I did think that the plot was a bit complicated for younger children, my youngest was 6, but I’m not sure how well a 3 yr old would have followed it.

Lots of jokes that made the children laugh, but made the parents laugh too, which I thought was a nice touch.

Actors very good at audience participation and waiting to sign autographs and pose for photos was much appreciated, and made my children feel like they really know these people.

If you want to take your children into the West End, I can’t think of a better place. Real, quality kids entertainment – with very reasonable prices.