Liebe Stirbt Nie (Love Never Dies) - Hamburg

I saw it last December. I wasn't planning to go but having a friend in the cast meant I didn't have to pay so I figured I might as well. I quite liked Love never dies in London despite its flaws so was hoping to enjoy the German production too.
Have to say I wasn't impressed. The German lyrics are awful at times. The cast was ok (I saw the understudy Phantom and Christine who were both good) but there was no one I would call outstanding. In terms of staging I actually preferred the London version, same goes for costumes.

I wouldn't call it a wasted evening. I'm actually glad I saw this production just to get the chance to compare staging and costumes. But I don't think the production is on the same level as the London show. However, I admit my opinion is heavily influenced by the fact the German lyrics made me cringe all the way through.

Yes, the German production is based on the Australian one. I've never watched the DVD though.

Understudy Phantom was Mathias Edenborn who I have seen in a few shows in the past. Even though he's not German he has been in the country for ages and speaks the languag fluently. You are right about main cast Phantom. He learned the script phonetically and at least when I went last year had little idea what he was actually singing about. Don't know if it's the same for main cast Christine but it wouldn't surprise me. Her understudy was good. I didn't really like the tone of her voice but that's just personal preference.

Discount from 180 euros to 18.. Goodness the seats are expensive in German shows (Ok maybe not Starlight in Bochum).

I wanted to see Rocky in Stuttgart and the seats were 160 Euros!

Out of interest: Where would I have to look for discounts? It's too late for my LND visit anyway (tomorrow next week), just to be prepared for my next time (whatever show that may be).

So I did see this yesterday. I completely forgot what an odd show LND is. I quite like the score (well, most parts of it), but the book is so terribly stupid. And the German translations didn't help, either. Actually, they made it even worse as some of them were completely out of place and way too modern for the time where LND plays.

The view from my last row Stalls seat was unobstructed but way too distant from the stage. Not sure if the Circle was open, but I only spotted a couple of empty seats in the Stalls. Not too bad for a Tuesday show, but OTOH, it's closing shortly.
During the show, there was only lukewarm applause - even after Love Never Dies -, but the cast got the usual standing ovations during the bows. Apparently, this seems to be common in German shows, irrespective of how good or bad the show was.

Not sure if I saw the main actors or covers as the original lead(s?) has/have already left and the programme wasn't updated. I had a Robert Meyer as Phantom (OK, but way too young - he looked like Gustave's older brother rather than his dad) and Jazmin Gorsline as Christine (pretty good - I think she's American and this is her first show in Europe. Her German was really good). However, the boy playing Gustave was really weak, especially his singing. The kids on American and English stages are way stronger. I highly doubt we'll ever get a production of Matilda, Billy Elliot or School of Rock...

The first cast (Gardar Thor Cortes) jumped ship a month before the closing (next weekend) to become the Phantom in Paris. Which was never really announced in a big way, just kinda seeped into the first reports/presentations of Phantom in Paris. Not a good style, if you ask me, by anyone involved.