operafantomet: Three documented wearers of Maria Bjørnson’s original and revamped costu
operafantomet: Three documented wearers of Maria Bjørnson’s original and revamped costume for Christine Daaé in “Phantom of the Opera” Row 1: Maria Bjørnson’s original and revamped design.Row 2: Sarah Brightman in the original costume in West End (1986), and revamped costume on Broadway (1988).Row 3: Claire Moore in the original (1987) and revamped (1988) costume in West End.Row 4: Rebecca Caine in the original costume in West End (1987), and the revamped costume in Toronto (1989).Other candidates: Maria Kesselman (West End 1986-1988), Jill Washington (1987-1989, 1990-1995). Both understudied the role, and they were also both in the original cast. Maria Kesselman might have left before they implemented the costume for all, not just the principal. Jill Washington might not have performed the role before AFTER they implemented it. But in both case they were at least around to see both costumes in use. I do have a soft spot for the original. I have seen somewhere Maria Kesselman confirm that the Star Princess was ‘before her time’. I find this odd as my belief was that Maria was in the production until around 1988. I always believed the costume was implemented in London after or around the time for the Broadway production. There is a photo of Claire Moore in the Star Princess costume with Michael Ball which would imply this was the case. Also, Jan Hartley Morris joined the cast Feb 1988, replacing Rebecca Caine, and as far as I’m aware she only wore the Star Princess costume. I guess what I’m asking is, when did Maria Kesselman leave? Was it as early as Feb 1988? This seems to be the time the new costume was installed in London! -- source link
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