TIME CUT

INT. CARLOTTA'S DRESSING ROOM. THAT NIGHT.

Carlotta is preparing for the evening performance of "Il Muto". She is surrounded
by her SEAMSTRESS, WIGMAKER, MAID and PIANGI. Through the
following, she is strapped onto her corset, bosoms heaving, perfume, powder,
wigs and beauty spots are applied, the dress is lowered down on her by pulleys
from the ceiling. Most importantly, she is constantly spraying her throat from a
crystal bottle. Meanwhile, ANDRE and FIRMIN fawn magnificently; they have
brought her bonbons, oysters, huge flowers, another nasty little dog. PIANGI
groans as she hands it to him. They drink champagne from her slipper, Firmin
swallowing his disgust, and grovel like pros.

ANDRE & FIRMIN

PRIMA DONNA, FIRST LADY FOR THE STAGE….

We intercut this with;

INT. OPERA POPULAIRE/DRESSING ROOM CORRIDOR. NIGHT.

…..Raoul searching for CHRISTINE.

We also INTERCUT with:

INT. HUMBLE DRESSING ROOM. NIGHT

MME. GIRY is preparing a very nervous CHRISTINE as the PAGEBOY.
MEG is with them.

(Note: There is a lot of Libretto here guys,
the Prima Donna lines………………………)

INT. OPERA POPULAIRE/BACKSTAGE. NIGHT. (CONTINUOUS)

CARLOTTA, followed by her RETINUE and ANDRE and FIRMIN,
PIANGI now carrying two little dogs, is now moving towards the wings.
She travels past the COSTUME and PROP SHOPS, the SCENERY
DOCKS while ANDRE and FIRMIN encourage other SINGERS and
DANCERS to follow and SING her praises. CARLOTTA is continuously
spraying her mouth with the little crystal bottle.

INT. OPERA POPULAIRE/STAGE/PIT/FLIES.NIGHT. (CONTINUOUS)

Shots which show the theatre coming to life for the evening performance;
the LAMPLIGHTER lighting the gas lamps along the Stage; MUSICIANS
arriving in the PIT; BUQUET directing operations up in the FLIES;
The huge bed of "Il Muto" being wheeled onstage.
(Note: More Prima Donna here………….. Finally)

ALL

LIGHT UP THE STAGE
WITH THAT AGE-OLD
RAPPORT!
SING, PRIMA DONNA,
ONCE MORE!

INT. OPERA POPULAIRE/BACKSTAGE WINGS. NIGHT. (CONTINUOUS)

CARLOTTA and her RETINUE, ANDRE and FIRMIN, have arrived on the
edge of the opera stage. They are now accompanied by other SINGERS,
DANCERS and STAGEHANDS. The huge set beckons as the music rises
and EVERYONE's eyes are on CARLOTTA.

PHANTOMS VOICE (O.S)

So, it is to be war between us! If these demands are not met,
A disaster beyond your imagination will occur!

ALL

ONCE MORE!

INT. OPERA HOUSE/AUDITORIUM. NIGHT

We see the stage of the opera house. The red house curtains are in. The house is packed.

INT. UPSTAIRS FOYER. NIGHT

RAOUL

Gentleman, if you would care to take
Your seats? I shall be sitting in Box Five.

ANDRE

Do you really think that's wise, Vitcomte?

RAOUL

My dear Andre, there would appear to be no seats available
Other than Box Five…..

They watch him march off.

(Note: OVERTURE TO BE EXTENDED TO ALLOW FOR)

INT. BACKSTAGE /WINGS/STAGE. NIGHT. (CONTINUOUS)

The PERFORMERS waiting for the opera to begin. Meanwhile, in the wings,
the PHANTOM's hand comes into shot. Unseen by all, it reaches for
CARLOTTA's throat spray and swaps it for an identical crystal flask.
The overture comes to an end and…….

INT. OPERA HOUSE/AUDITORIUM. NIGHT. (CONTINUOUS)

…..the curtains rise for the beginning of the opera.

A PERFORMANCE OF "IL MUTO" INT. STAGE NIGHT.

The set is an 18^th Century salon, a canopied bed center stage. The COUNTESS
is played by CARLOTTA. SERAFIMO, the pageboy, is disguised as her maid
and is played by CHRISTINE. At this point, they are hidden behind the drapes
of the bed, which are drawn. We see them waiting for their cue. In the room are
TOW EPICENE MEN: one a HAIRDRESSER and one a JEWELLER. The
JEWELLER is attended by MEG. Ther is also an OLDER WOMAN, the
COUNTESS'S CONFIDANTE. ALL, apart from MEG, are gossiping with
relish about the COUNTESS'S current liason with SERAFIMO.

CONFIDANTE

THEY SAY THAT THIS YOUTH
HAS SET MY LADY'S
HEART AFLAME!……..
…….SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

The canopy drapes part and we see the COUNTESS kissing SERAFIMO
passionately. As the recitative begins, our attention turns to the MANAGERS
in their box. As the recitative begins, our attention turns to the MANAGERS
in their box.

(More Libretto)

COUNTESS & CHORUS

POOR FOOL, HE DOESN'T KNOW!
HOHO HOHO! Etc.
IF HE KNEW THE TRUTH, HE'D NEVER EVER GO!
Suddenly, from nowhere, we hear the VOICE of the PHANTOM.

PHANTOM'S VOICE (O.S.)

Did I not instruct that Box Five was to be kept empty?

MEG
(Terrified)

HE'S HERE: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA…..

And high above the stage, on a catwalk running along the top of the proscenium
arch, we can make out the shadowy figure of the PHANTOM. General reaction
of bewilderment. EVERYONE stops. AUDIENCE reaction. CHRISTINE
looks fearfully about her.

CHRISTINE

It's him……I know it…….It's him

CARLOTTA

(Finding a scapegoat in CHRISTINE,
hisses at her: )

Your part is silent, little toad!

She walks of stage into the WINGS. There, her MAID hands her throat spray.
CARLOTTA sprays herself liberally. But the PHANTOM has heard her last
remark.

PHANTOM (O.S)

A toad, madam? Perhaps it is you
Who are the toad…

Again general unease, this time turning to alarm. CARLOTTA comes back onstage.

CARLOTTA (to REYER in the pit)

Maestro……..da capo…..per favore……

SERAFIMO, AWAY THIS THIS PRETENCE!
YOU CANNOT SPEAK, BUT KISS ME IN
MY HUSBAND'S CROAK………

Instead of singing, she emits a great croak, like a toad. A stunned silence.
CARLOTTA is as amazed as anyone, but she regains herself and continues.
More perturbing, however, is a new sound: the PHANTOM is
laughing - quietly at first, then more and more hysterically. The
entire AUDIENCE howls.

CARLOTTA

POOR FOOL, HE MAKES ME LAUGH!
HAHA
HAHA
CROAK, CROAK, CROAK etc.

As before, the PHANTOM's laughter rises. The croaking continues as the
chandelier's lights blink on and off. The PHANTOM's laughter, by this time
overpowering, now crescendos into a great cry:

INT. AUDITORIUM/DOME. NIGHT.

The PHANTOM is up on a ramp at the top of the dome of the opera house.

PHANTOM

Behold! She is singing to bring down the chandelier!
And with this, he seizes a guide rope and begins to rock the chandelier
perilously. BUQUET appears on the other side of the ramp.

He sees the PHANTOM.

The PHANTOM sees him.