Welcome to Day Four of Phantom of the Opera Week here on White Rose of Avalon my Darlings!   Today’s topic is my top five favorite portrayals of Erik.   Without further ado, here’s my list!

Number 5: Ramen Karimloo

~My number five spot goes to the actor who portrayed Erik in the 2011 Phantom of the Opera Live at the Royal Albert Hall.   This is my favorite version of the musical, as it is so difficult to find full recordings of the musical on Broadway or the West End, the film is a treat for Phantom lovers, and this portrayal of Erik is very good!

Number 4: Charles Dance 

~My number four spot goes to Charles Dance who portrayed the Phantom in a television mini-series produced in the early 1990s.    The mini-series is a non-musical adaptation of the less successful Phantom musical produced concurrently with the iconic Andrew Lloyd Weber vehicle!   Now, this movie was a mini-series originally, making it quite long.   That is a deterrent for some Phantom lovers, however, the performances are really quite good, so it is well worth watching!

Number 3: Michael Crawford

~My number three spot goes to Michael Crawford, who originated the Phantom on stage in the Weber musical!   I have never got to see his full performance, but grew up watching clips of his Phantom.   He is such an amazing singer and performer, that even without the full show, I know he deserves this spot on my list! 

Number 2: Robert Englund

~Who is surprised here?   I have stated multiple times that the Robert Englund film from 1989 has long been my favorite Phantom film adaptation, so of course he is one of my favorite Eriks!   I adore his creepy and grim take on the character, plus the atmosphere of this Gaslamp Slasher version of Phantom is top-notch.

Number 1: Lon Chaney

~No other Phantom could be number one but the first film version ever!   Filmed only fourteen years after the novel was translated to English in 1911 (original French released in 1910) this 1925 film, and its 1929 recut, is one of the greatest versions of the story.   Lon Chaney is creepy and eerie, but also menacing, plus this makeup is absolutely iconic!   

~I hope that you have enjoyed my countdown.   Did I include your favorite Erik actor?   Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Tarot Note: I have a page offering tarot and oracle readings for those interested in these services!    I am very happy to be offering these readings to my treasured readers at White Rose of Avalon!  Link to page: https://whiteroseofavalon.life/tarot-and-oracle-readings/ 

Further Watching

• The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
• The Phantom of the Opera (1989)
• The Phantom of the Opera (1990)
• The Phantom of the Opera Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2011)