“It’s such an iconic show and I’m so thankful to be a part of it”: Matt Blaker on The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre

The West End has inaugurated the hottest month of the year with a new casting for one of its historical productions, The Phantom of the Opera. Celebrating over 30 years – and counting – the musical continues to charm and mesmerise audiences worldwide, touring across continents and welcoming theatregoers visiting London from around the globe. The mighty score bears the signature of Andrew Lloyd Webber, building up along the tragic and romantic story of the Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House and falls in love with the celestial Christine.

Within the refreshed casting, we find Matt Blaker, playing the antagonist of the disfigured musical genius, Raoul. Blaker returns to confront the Phantom, interpreted by Killian Donnelly, after first wearing the costume of the Vicomte de Chagny six years ago, as an understudy of the same role. Since then, he has continued his career collecting theatre credits in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jersey Boys and Carousel and is now more excited than ever to be back with the family of Her Majesty’s Theatre.

We chatted with Blaker to learn more about his first encounter with the Phantom, a day in the life of Raoul and his wise pieces of advice for aspiring actors.

Thank you for your time, and congratulations on your role in The Phantom of the Opera! Can you remember when they communicated the good news, where you were and your first reaction?

Absolutely no problem at all – I think talking about the show is my favourite topic of conversation! To be honest, I had to ask my agent to tell me again as I didn’t believe them! I was teaching a private singing lesson – over lockdown, I developed a real passion for teaching musical theatre to the next generation – and had to jump out to take the call. I think it’s fair to say I couldn’t really concentrate for the rest of the lesson and just wanted to call my family and tell them!

This is one of the historical musicals in the West End, continuing to entertain millions of theatregoers, not only in the UK but worldwide. What was your first personal encounter with The Phantom of the Opera and how do you feel connected to this musical?

It’s such an iconic show and I’m so thankful to be a part of it. I first saw the show about ten years ago now, whilst I was studying at Guildford School of Acting. I’d never seen the show and one of my friends, Hywel, was determined to take me as it’s his all-time favourite. We took the trip up to London and I was blown away. Now ten years later, both Hywel and I are in the show together, that’s a really special memory! Having been in the company six years ago as the understudy to Raoul, it marked my first contract in the West End, something I’d been looking to achieve since I began my journey as an actor, and that was an incredibly poignant moment for me. Also being a part of the show’s 30^th-anniversary celebrations that year was very special! Phantom is such a family, so coming back to the show really felt like coming home. It will always hold a very close place in my heart.

How did you prepare for your role? What is a day in the life of an actor playing Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny like?

I like to keep myself physically and vocally in shape. Having a routine is so important in performing anything eight times a week. Also, I like cake, so I need to be careful to stay in shape so I can fit into my costumes! Each performing day, I do the company warm-up and then my own tailored warm-up prepared by my singing teacher Dane Chalfin which is specific to the style of singing and the role. At the end of every night, I also warm down which re-centres my voice and body before the next day. Also plenty of sleep – that cannot be overstated. Recovery is key!

What is your favourite song?

I honestly think my favourite song changes every day. There are so many timeless songs within the score that each day I love a different one! Today, I’m going to go with Final Lair. It’s the pinnacle of the show and a real moment of release for the Phantom, Christine and Raoul. All the tension, conflict and passion have built to a stunning climax. It goes without saying that it’s amazing to sing with such passion at this moment, but it is also one of very few moments in the show where I get to really interact face-to-face with Killian who plays the Phantom. He’s a truly fantastic actor and it’s a pleasure to get to face off against him!

What has been the biggest challenge so far?

I think the biggest challenge of taking on any principal role like this is doing it eight times a week, building the vocal and physical stamina to really engage with the piece night after night. I always try to find something ever so slightly different to play or challenge myself with every night to keep things fresh. Luckily we have an amazing company here who are such generous and passionate actors, it makes life very easy!

Have you ever performed in venues with real “phantoms”?

You know what, up until a week or so ago, I would have laughed this question off and said I’d never seen a “theatre ghost”. But I had a really funny thing happening in rehearsals for this contract. Whilst working on the rooftop scene, I looked out into the dress circle and saw an older man walk down the steps and sit down in his seat. I turned and asked another cast member why there was someone there, and when I looked back he was gone. But I swear I saw him!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jersey Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar, and you have recently concluded your experience in Carousel: an impressive list already under your belt. What are you mainly looking for in the productions you are auditioning for?

Well, that is very kind of you to say. I’m always looking for interesting characters to play, and as my career has gone on I am starting to be trusted with these larger roles, which is exciting. Billy in Carousel was a very special moment – a real career highlight role for me. Not only are those songs some of the greatest ever written, but it’s a character full of pain and conflict, quite far removed from anything else I’ve ever done. I would love to do some more Rodgers and Hammerstein, perhaps a Curly in Oklahoma or a Captain von Trapp in the future somewhere! Those songs are such a pleasure to sing. I was due to play Topher in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the Hope Mill Theatre before the pandemic hit and that would have been a highlight for me.

Is there a role that is particularly close to your heart? Why?

Of the shows I have been a part of, Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys holds a very special place in my heart. A musical style so far removed from The Phantom of the Opera, I loved the challenge, and ended up working with some of my best friends on that contract; we toured some really exciting places in the world like China and Dubai and it felt like going on holiday with your best friends for six months! It was my first leading role and I loved every second of it. For roles that I would love to do in the future: I would love to do The Last Five Years, a two-hander musical that is a challenge for any actor. Jamie is a complex character with some fantastic songs, and I would love to have the opportunity to work on that show before I get too old! Something to really dig my teeth into.

What would your advice be for aspiring young actors?

I love this question, as I still very much consider myself to be in that category (maybe not so young anymore though!). I think the key is listening. Firstly, to what is being said in the scene or song you are working on: really listen to what the other person is saying, and it will inform your reaction. But also to people who are trying to help you: directors, choreographers, musical directors. These people are really trying to help you be better and be successful. Everyone has something valuable that you can learn from.  Secondly: patience. This is my second time auditioning for the part of Raoul and I auditioned three times for the understudy before I booked the job. It might not happen for you all at once, and that is okay. Learn from each experience and come back the next year stronger with clear ideas of how you want to improve. Finally, I read a really good piece of advice recently, which was that you aren’t just auditioning for that job, you are auditioning for every job the team will do after that. So just because this one didn’t go your way, you might have done the perfect audition for the thing they are doing next. Head up, onto the next!

That’s fantastic, thank you so much.

Cristiana Ferrauti

The Phantom of the Opera is on at Her Majesty’s Theatre now. For further information visit the theatre’s website here.