The Phantom of the Opera at Bristol Hippodrome This was the first time that I have seen 'Phantom' and it was absolutely captivating from start to finish, the songs and music have become engrained in our hearts and minds over the last quarter of a century but the drama and experience appeared as fresh and exciting as I am sure it was for the very first performance.

The staging and special effects compliment the performance of the cast, the chandelier a unique centrepiece for the drama which unfolds in front of your eyes and the amazing journey your senses are taken on by the music.

The performance of John Owen-Jones as the Phantom is breath-taking, his voice faultless and his acting so believable that you feel the pain and suffering he portrays. He is fantastically supported by Katie Hill in the role of Christine Daae and Simon Bailey as Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny.

There is something especially magnificent about watching live theatre, with a story of love and passion brought to life by words and music, the flawless vocals, the live music, the pyrotechnics, the special effects and the wonderful costumes.

So many stand out moments, so many times the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. In a time where entertainment is dominated by poor performances on reality TV programmes it is a pleasure to be entertained by a cast full of genuinely talented singers, dancers and actors, each one seemingly determined to give their all to the audience