I've been a Phan for about five years now, and I have experienced the story in more mediums imaginable. I have seen the 2004 movie too many times to count, the 25th anniversary stage edition numerous times, read the original Gaston Leroux book in both English and the original French, read multiple spin off novels, seen the recording of "Love Never Dies," have seen it live on Broadway in New York, and even bothered to watch the silent 1925 film. I am also lucky enough to be able to see it again in Cleveland. Here's a few unknown facts about the story of the Phantom of the Opera.
1. The Andrew Lloyd Webber Play is based off a book by Gaston Leroux.
The idea of the Phantom was first conceived by Gaston Leroux in 1910 in Paris, France. Obviously, Le Fantome de L'Opera is a frenchman. It will be about 70 years later when Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the beautiful musical we all know today.
2. The Phantom's real name is Erik.
In the original book, the Phantom's name is Erik. The 1910 book is vastly different than Webber's musical. A heartbreaking book, Phantom by Susan Kay, tells the tragic origin story of Erik.
3. In the book, Erik refers to himself in third person.
For as intelligent as the Phantom is, whenever he refers to himself, he says "Erik" not "I" or "me." It shows how much human interaction Erik has had in the book.
4. The Phantom first appeared in film in an 1925 silent film.
15 years after the book was published, a black and white, silent horror film was created starring Lon Chaney. The film loosely followed the events of Leroux's book.
5. The Opera Populaire is based off of a real place.
The Opera Garnier is the real life setting and inspiration for the Phantom of the Opera. The opera house sits in Paris.
6. The Phantom's liar is based off of a real place.
There are 7 stores below the stage of the Opera Garnier. And below those stories is indeed a lake under the opera house. Although it is unlikely anyone actually lived down there, there are alcoves open spaces when the water is low enough. Its easy to see how Leroux was inspired when he saw these caverns.
7. In the book, The Phantom is fully deformed.
The Phantom had been fully scarred from birth according to the book. Erik was described as a "living corpse" by onlookers and was even a freak show attraction. His eyes in book are yellow and glow like the eyes of a cat.
8. There's a reason why The Phantom only wears half of a mask in the musical, contrary to the poster.
Leroux's Phantom was fully deformed and that was the plan for Webber's Phantom. However, it was both difficult to apply all the costume makeup and for Michael Crawford, the original Phantom, to sing and be heard properly with the full mask. Therefore, the mask the cut to the shape we see on stage today. The artwork for the poster was never changed.
9. Only Gerard Butler was allowed to be pretty.
Every other Phantom was pretty ugly, possibly a face no one could love. However, the 2004 film made the Phantom easier to look at.
10. A real chandelier fell.
In 1896, the Opera's main chandelier fell because of a counterweight, killing a construction worker. This event inspired the events of the book.
11. When a pretty face has to be made ugly.
Before a Webber musical, it takes 2 hours to get all of the Phantom's prosthetics and makeup on.
