the phantom of the opera - recursos educativos

The Phantom of the Opera1º & 2º E.S.O.

Didactic Project

STUDENT’S GUIDE

INDEX

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BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE...

SESSION 1: SYNOPSIS AND CHARACTERS 3 ACTIVITY 1: SYNOPSIS 3 ACTIVITY 2: THE CHARACTERS 4 ACTIVITY 3: MUSICALS 6

SESSION 2: UNDERSTANDING THE PLAY 8 ACTIVITY 1: FILL THE GAP 8 ACTIVITY 2: LISTENING 9 ACTIVITY 3: YOUR OPINION 10

SESSION 3: THE ENDING 12 ACTIVITY 1: PREPOSITION 12 ACTIVITY 2: MISSING WORDS 13 ACTIVITY 3: WHAT HAPPEN NEXT ? 14

AFTER THE PERFORMANCE…

SESSION 4: EXPRESS YOURSELF 15 ACTIVITY 1: WHAT DO YOU THINK ? 15 ACTIVITY 2: WRITE A REVIEW 16 ACTIVITY 3: YOUR TURN 17

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2The Phantom of the Opera

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SESSION 1: SYNOPSIS AND CHARACTERS

Activity 1: Synopsis

. Read the synopsis of the musical The Phantom of the Opera to help you get a general understanding of the storyline. Here is a glossary of words to help you…

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GLOSSARY:

bitterfreak act beaten(to) terroriseto stageperformancesold out

amargado / resentido monstruo / fenómenogolpeadoaterrorizar aponer en escena / representarrepresentaciónagotado

requestmusestar deceasedhigh societygentlemanredeemed

solicitud / peticiónmusaestrellamuertoalta sociedadcaballeroredimido

Deformed since birth, a bitter man known only as the Phantom lives in the ruins of an old Opera House. As a baby, his mother abandoned him, leaving him with a circus as their “freak act”. He was treated very badly and beaten, so eventually he escaped and found refuge, hiding in an old Opera House. He is a musical genius and writes beautiful music that he would love the world to hear one day. However, his disfigurement and solitary existence have made him amoral and dangerous.When the Opera House is bought and renovated by two business men, Mr Armand and Mr Richard, the Phantom terrorises the theatre, making people believe that there is a ghost living there. Eventually, the Phantom decides to negotiate with the owners – he will stop terrorising the theatre if they agree to stage a performance using his music.The owners agree, and the new show is a huge success, the performance is sold out every night. The public are attracted by the chance of seeing the famous theatre ghost as well as by the amazing music. The Phantom also has another request, he wants a new star for his show. During an audition, he finds Christine who replaces Prima Donna, the Opera House´s famous diva. Christine becomes the Phantom´s muse and he falls in love with her. Christine believes that the Phantom is her “Angel of Music” who has been sent by her deceased father to guide her musical talent.The Phantom is not Christine´s only admirer, however. Raoul, a high society man also falls in love with Christine after watching her perform.Who will Christine choose, the disfigured Phantom, or the gentleman, Raoul? What will the Phantom´s destiny be? Will he finally find love and be redeemed?


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Activity 2: The Characters

. Below are extracts of dialogue spoken by each character in the play. There are also pairs of adjectives to describe each of the characters. Match the correct adjectives to each character based on the extract.

. Write the correct adjectives next to character’s name.

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The Phantom:

“This show is a success because of MY music! You should be thanking me! All that money you are making is because of my music! The public loves it! … Take that Prima Donna out of the show, or someone will suffer the consequences!”

Christine -

“Well, I can´t see things so clearly right now... I need to... If my father were here he would guide me... I’m going to the cemetery to visit his grave, plea-se tell Mr. Armand I’ll be here by the time of the show.”

Mr. Armand -

“Since that incident with the chandelier everybody in the city is talking about the Phantom of the Opera! And now that we are playing his music in the show, we are sold out of tickets every night! People come because they want to have the chance to see the Phantom... so they keep buying tickets, which means, we are becoming rich! I love doing business with a phantom!”

greedy and excited shocked and vain intrigued and curious

conceited and threatening fed up and defiant confused and lost


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Mr. Richard -

“No! I always follow your decisions, but you know what? You have been made the wrong ones all this time! Money has been always your priority! You didn’t care about Prima Donna, you don’t care about Christine, you don’t care about me! You are on your own from now on, Mr. Armand! Good luck making business with a Phantom, or should I say, good luck doing busi-ness with a psychopath killer!”

Prima Donna -

“Calm down? Are you really asking me to calm down after telling me that I’m being thrown out? You are permanently replacing ME with an unknown, untalented girl and you expect me to take it with a smile on my face? I am a star! I have sung all across the continent! I have sung for presidents and emperors!”

Raoul -

“You are very special, Christine... So, may I ask... now that your father isn’t with you... is there anybody in your life? For I must say, the voice is just one part of your beauty. You looked great on stage, but now that I see you from a shorter distance, I do have to tell you what a gorgeous woman you are...”


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Activity 3: Musicals

. Let’s talk about musicals!

• What is a musical?

• Can you think of any other famous musicals besides The Phantom of the Opera?

• Have you ever been to a theatre to watch a musical?

• What are the world famous theatre districts in London and New York called?

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. Here are some fun facts about the musical The Phantom of the Opera…

Did you know…?

1. The Phantom of the Opera debuted in London’s West End in 1986. That means the musical has been running for 30 years!

2. It is the most lucrative musical in history. In the last 30 years, the musical has ear-ned over 6 billion US Dollars and has been seen by over 140 million people around the world!

3. Some of musical theatre’s most famous songs come from The Phantom of the Ope-ra. Some of the most famous songs are, The Phantom of the Opera, All I ask of You and The Music of the Night. These songs were written by a very famous composer called Andrew Lloyd Webber.

• If you have access to the internet, have a look at this website for the original production of The Phantom of the Opera in London. Watch the video on the homepage and see if you can find out any more fun facts about the musical.

http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/london

. Discuss what you see and find with your classmates.

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Activity 1: Fill the gap

. Read the extract from the opening scene of the play (Tracks 1 to 3) in which the Phantom introduces himself to the audience.Fill in the gaps using the words below.

** Tip – for each gap, first decide what type of word you need, e.g. verb, noun, adjective, conjunction, etc.

SESSION 2: UNDERSTANDING THE PLAYBBefore

laughed since animal Music

when was abandoned home

“From my birth I was hated by all. When my mother saw the deformity in my face, she

__________________________ me; she left me in a circus, where I was the freak

attraction. They treated me like an_________________ ; I was beaten all the time. I ma-

naged to escape, and ______________ then I have hidden in this theatre. I ______born

like this... a monster. In my loneliness I write music... it’s my only pleasure in this world.

________________is the only friend I have ever had. After many years, I have become

a genius! And I want the world to hear my creation! I want to hear my music played

here, at the Opera House, the place that has become my ____________________,

my kingdom! But I don’t want to be seen ever again, so I wrote a letter to the owners

of the Theatre, telling them that I am... a ghost, a phantom, the spirit of a great compo-

ser... I told them that my music deserves to be played here, at the Opera House...but

___________ Mr. Armand and Mr. Richards read the letter, they_______________ at

me, they didn’t believe me... they thought I was a joke. I had to do something about it..”


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Activity 2: Listening

. Listen to these extracts from Scene 2 (Tracks 4 to 6) of the play and choose the correct answer to the following questions.


1. What are Mr Armand and Mr Richard celebrating? a birthday the success of the theatre a good review of their show

2. Why has the opera theatre become so popular? because people want to see the Phantom because people want to see the singers because of great marketing

3. How many people has the Phantom killed? 1 person 2 people 3 people

4. How did he kill the people? with a chair with a table with a chandelier **chandelier – a large, decorative hanging light

5. What does the Phantom want? he wants Prima Donna out of the show he wants to be the star of the show he wants to make more money

6. Why is Mr Richard worried? he thinks he is in danger he thinks Mr Armand is in danger he thinks Prima Donna is in danger


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Activity 3: Your Opinion

. Read the following extract from Scene 7 (Track 12) with the rest of your class and then discuss the questions…


PHANTOM: CHRISTINE: PHANTOM:CHRISTINE: PHANTOM:

CHRISTINE: PHANTOM: CHRISTINE: PHANTOM:

CHRISTINE:

PHANTOM:

CHRISTINE:

PHANTOM: CHRISTINE:PHANTOM:

CHRISTINE:PHANTOM: CHRISTINE: PHANTOM:

(Still hiding.) You were fantastic tonight.Who are you? I’m a friend, your mentor. I could make you a star. A friend shows himself. And I cannot see you. You don’t need to see me yet. You need to listen to my advice. With my guide you will be the greatest singer ever, and with you my music will become immortal.Did you write the music? Yes, and now that I have heard you singing it I know that I wrote it for you. (Scared.) If you are the composer, then you must be the Phantom of...It doesn’t matter who I am for the rest of the world... for you, I can be your Angel of Music(Confused and surprised.) Angel of Music... my father told me... were you listening to me singing tonight? I felt like...You felt me, Christine... because my music is in you... You will complete my work, you will be my Muse forever, and I will teach you all I know... you’ll be the greatest singer ever.I promise you, I will be the best student in the world... Show yourself. Let me see you.You would be... disappointed. I wish to see the face of my teacher. My face you shall not see. But as you insist on seeing me... go to the mi-rror on the wall. (CHRISTINE goes to the mirror.) Look (Slowly, the figure of the Phantom becomes discernible.)You live here? At the Opera House? Yes, in the cellars. How did you come to live in this place? Let us talk of something else.


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CHRISTINE: PHANTOM: CHRISTINE: PHANTOM:

CHRISTINE: PHANTOM:

Do you have a name? … (Almost shy.) ErikWhy are you afraid of being seen? Is it something to do with the mask you wear? Yes, it is. And you won’t ever see the terror behind the mask. When I was born my mother said I was the devil’s child because of the deformity in my face. Since then I hide from everyone. But I needed to know you. No one had that much interest in me. Ever...Well, maybe because no one saw your music as the reflection of your soul. Your music is so deep; it has so much history and suffering inside... Just like your voice. In your singing I hear the pain of losing your father, but I also hear strength of spirit and love.

. Discuss the following questions with your classmates and give your opinion where necessary.

1. What is the significance of the Phantom for Christine? __________________________________________________________________

2. What is the significance of Christine for the Phantom?__________________________________________________________________

3. Why doesn’t the Phantom want to show Christine his face?__________________________________________________________________

4. Why is Christine interested in knowing about the Phantom?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Why is Christine’s voice so special for the Phantom?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

6. Do you think it is possible for such an amoral and dangerous person like the Phan-tom to change? Do you think Christine could help him to change, and why?__________________________________________________________________


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Suspect 3

SESSION 3: THE ENDING

Activity 1: Preposition

. Read the extract from Scene 9 (Track 16) in which Mr Richard enters Prima Donna’s dressing room to find that she has been murdered by the Phantom.

. Place these prepositions in the correct spaces to complete the dialogue.

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for (x2)about (x4)

MR. RICHARD:

(MR. ARMAND enters.)

MR. ARMAND:

MR. RICHARD:

MR. ARMAND:MR. RICHARD:

Oh my God, my dear Shooshoo! (Checks her pulse.) Nooo, he killed you! Nooo!

(Finds a note left by the Phantom, reads it out loud.) “When will you learn?” That psychopath! That man needs to be stopped! He is turning this theatre (1) __________ hell! Oh... this will be bad (2) ________ business...

(Furious, starts pushing him, they end up at the office.) Bad (3) _______ business? Is that all you can think (4) _____________? You are a mons-ter! Just like him! Mr. Richard, please calm down!No! I always follow your decisions, but you know what? You have taken the wrong ones all this time! Money has been always your priority! You didn’t care (5) ____________ her, you don’t care (6) ___________ Christine, you don’t care (7) _____________ me! You are (8) on your own from now (9) __________, Mr. Armand! Good luck making busi-ness (10) ______________ a Phantom, or should I say, good luck ma-king business (11) _______________ a psychopath killer!

into (x1)with (x2)on (x2)


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Suspect 3


Activity 2: Missing Words

. Listen carefully to the extract from the end of the play from Scene 11 (Track 18) and fill in the missing words as you go. You have been given the first letter of each word to help you.

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CHRISTINE:

PHANTOM: CHRISTINE:

PHANTOM: CHRISTINE: PHANTOM:

(RAOUL arrives.)RAOUL:

PHANTOM:

RAOUL:

PHANTOM:

(There is a struggle between the two, the Phantom wins and it’s about to kill RAOUL.)

CHRISTINE: PHANTOM: CHRISTINE:RAOUL:

Oh my dear father, I wish you could be here to guide me. I really need your (1) a____________.(Hidden.) You need to listen to your (2) a_________, he is my voice now. I’m so (3) c_____________! I have been guided by... well, I thought he was an Angel you sent to me... just like you told me... but terrible things are happening at the (4) t__________, and maybe I shouldn’t trust him anymore... (Appearing.) He only wants the best for you, darling... But I don’t want the best for me if it involves others (5) s____________...You only need to commit to being the best artist you can be... that’s what you were born for... your (6) f_________ knew it, didn’t he? That’s why he taught you to sing when you were a child, that’s why he wanted you to have an (7) A____________ to guide you once he wasn’t there any more... that’s why I will eliminate any circumstantial obstacle in your way of turning into the (8) s________ you were born to be...

Get away from her! Don’t listen to him, Christine, he is (9) e________! Is that what you call it? Was Prima Donna a “circumstantial obstacle” and therefore you (10) k____________her? How can you play God like that? Stay away from me, and more important, stay away from Christine... you are nothing but a distraction to her (11) g___________! She doesn’t need you, you wicked killer! Everybody in this (12) c__________ knows what an incredible performer she is! Christine shines with her own light; she doesn’t need your malice around her! Enough! I won’t tolerate this anymore!

No! Stop! I choose you!That’s his only chance to survive, Christine. I know. Don’t kill him. I’ll go with you. No! Christine... (Faints because of the physical injuries.)


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Activity 3: What Happens Next?

. Think about the extract you heard in the previous activity. The last line of dialogue was:

CHRISTINE: No! Stop! I choose…

• Who do you think Christine chooses, Raoul or the Phantom?

• Why do you think she makes this choice?

• If you were Christine, who would you choose?

• How do you think the play ends?

. Discuss these questions as a class. Here are some structures to help you…

I think / in my opinion… If I were Christine, I would choose_________ because…

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SESSION 4 : EXPRESS YOURSELF

Activity 1: What did you think?

Now you have seen The Phantom of the Opera! Was it how you imagined it to be? Com-pare the actual performance with what you imagined the play to be.

Look back at Activity 3 in Session 3 when you acted out scenes from the musical in groups. Which version did you prefer - your interpretation or the actors´ interpretation?

I prefer my version / the original version / my interpretation of the characters / the actor’s interpretation because………

…it was…

• funny• exciting• boring• entertaining• clever• enjoyable• interesting • silly

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….more (+)…

….less (-)…


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Activity 2: Write your own review!

. Imagine you are a journalist for your local newspaper. You have to write a review of the play giving your opinion about the following …

. Below is the opening paragraph of the review. Continue with your own thoughts and ideas.

• The plot

• The actors

• The script

• The costumes

• The scenery

• The music

Last night was the long-awaited premier of Phantom of the Opera in Madrid. Finally we had the chance to see this famous musical come to life before our own eyes…

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Activity 3: Your turn!

. Choose one of the following scenes from the play and in groups, act it out for your classmates.

OPTION 1 - SCENE 11 [CEMETERY] – TRACK 18

CHRISTINE: Oh my dear father, I wish you could be here to guide me. I really need your advice.PHANTOM: (Hidden.) You need to listen to your angel, he is my voice now. CHRISTINE: I’m so confused! I have been guided by... well, I thought he was an Angel you sent to me... just like you told me... but terrible things are happening at the theatre, and maybe I shouldn’t trust him anymore... PHANTOM: (Appearing.) He only wants the best for you, darling... Christine: But I don’t want the best for me if it involves others suffering...PHANTOM: You only need to commit to being the best artist you can be... that’s what you were born for... your father knew it, didn’t he? That’s why he taught you to sing when you were a child, that’s why he wanted you to have an Angel of Music to guide you once he wasn’t there any more... that’s why I will eliminate any circumstantial obstacle in your way of turning into the star you were born to be...

(RAOUL arrives.)

RAOUL: Get away from her! Don’t listen to him, Christine, he is evil! Is that what you call it? Was Prima Donna a “circumstantial obstacle” and therefore you killed her? How can you play God like that? PHANTOM: Stay away from me, and more important, stay away from Christine... you are nothing but a distraction to her goals! RAOUL: She doesn’t need you, you wicked killer! Everybody in this city knows what an incredible performer she is! Christine shines with her own light; she doesn’t need your malice around her! PHANTOM: Enough! I won’t tolerate this anymore!

(There is a struggle between the two, the Phantom wins and it’s about to kill RAOUL.)

CHRISTINE: No! Stop! I choose you!PHANTOM: That’s his only chance to survive, Christine. CHRISTINE: I know. Don’t kill him. I’ll go with you. RAOUL: No! Christine... (Faints because of the physical injuries.)

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OPTION 2 – SCENE 8 [THEATRE’S OFFICE] - TRACK 14

(PRIMA DONNA is chasing MR. ARMAND and furiously trying to hit him with her bag.)

MR. ARMAND:Please, Prima Donna, calm down, let’s sit down and talk this like adults!

P. DONNA: (Changing from one mood to another in seconds.) Calm down? Are you really asking me to calm down after telling me that I’m being thrown away? You are permanently replacing ME with an unknown untalented girl and you expect me to take it with a smile on my face? I am a star! I have sung all across the continent! I have sung for presidents and emperors!

MR. ARMAND:(Dodging the punches.) Please, Prima Donna... We have no choice, this is the Phantom’s desire, and it’s for your own sake that we are respecting it... re-member what he did to you! It’s not safe for you to come back!

P. DONNA: I’d rather be dead than be disgraced like that!

MR. ARMAND: You are not being rational! You could be in danger if you return!

P. DONNA:Well, let me take that decision!

(MR. RICHARD enters.)

MR. RICHARD: Shooshoo!

P. DONNA: Shooshoo my... Do you agree with this?

(MR. ARMAND makes sings behind PRIMA DONNA’s back, asking for help to handle the situation.)

MR. RICHARD:Oh, dear... it’s for your own good!

P. DONNA: (Like a martyr.) I don’t care about my own good! The audience needs me! The show needs me! There is no one like me!

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SESSION 4 : EXPRESS YOURSELF AAfter

OPTION 3 - SCENE 9 [DRESSING ROOM] - TRACK 16

(PRIMA DONNA is preparing for the show, and doesn’t notice the Phantom ente-ring. He strangles her with a rope and exits quickly.)

(MR. RICHARD enters and finds PRIMA DONNA dead.)

MR. RICHARD: Oh my God, my dear Shooshoo! (Checks her pulse.) Nooo, he killed you! Nooo!

(MR. ARMAND enters.)

MR. ARMAND: (Finds a note left by the Phantom, reads it out loud.) “When will you learn?” That psychopath! That man needs to be stopped! He is turning this theatre into hell! Oh... this will be bad for business...

MR. RICHARD: (Furious, starts pushing him, they end up at the office.) Bad for busi-ness? Is that all you can think about? You are a monster! Just like him!

MR. ARMAND: Mr. Richard, please calm down!

MR. RICHARD: No! I always follow your decisions, but you know what? You have taken the wrong ones all this time! Money has been always your priority! You didn’t care about her, you don’t care about Christine, you don’t care about me! You are on your own from now on, Mr. Armand! Good luck making business with a Phantom, or should I say, good luck making business with a psychopath killer!


1º & 2º E.S.O.

Mystery and the force of love come together in this spectacular production of an impressive musical. A unique opportunity to make your English classes thrilling through one of the best selling literary classics of all time. A wonderful theatrical adaptation full of unforgettable moments.

OTHER SHOWS 1º & 2º E.S.O.

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The Phanton of the OperaProject Didactic elaborated by Nawaf Numen González

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