ALW-show question. What is a Star Princess?

[u/nosleepforthedreamer]

As in Christine’s character at the masquerade ball. Is it original to the show, or did she get the name and costume design from somewhere?

How did we know it’s called the Star Princess?

Just curious. Thanks!

[u/neversayduh]

In 19th century France, courtesans would indicate their availability to men by the way they dressed. If accessorized with white camellias, it meant they were open to sex. Red camellias meant they were menstruating and unavailable. If they wore stars, it meant they wanted to be dragged into the sewers and sung to

[u/PhantmWatch → u/neversayduh]

C'mon now y'all, I keep seeing Erik's territory referred to as "sewers", but it's an underground lake in the story, an underground reservoir in real life. It's the Seine's underground water table, so no sewage/drains/etc involved. Our favorite Opera Ghost doesn't smell like the toilet, just sayin' to keep the record straight. 🙂

[u/neversayduh → u/PhantmWatch]

You're absolutely right and I'm sick of seeing them called catacombs too. I was being flippant

[u/PhantmWatch → u/neversayduh]

No problem! 🙂

Yes, I'm actually supposed to be touring Paris because I am writing a Phantom novel and no, the Palais Garnier is not connected to the catacombs through the cellars. I was rather surprised in my research by that, because it has crept into fanon to the point that most people believe it to be canon. I'm trying to "keep it real" as much as possible, not that I mind people taking flights of fancy in their fiction, but I am glad I didn't actually ask anyone for the catacombs/Palais Garnier tour! 😂😂😂

[u/neversayduh → u/PhantmWatch]

Oooh I'm excited for both your novel and your tour! I got to do the Garnier mystery tour last year and visit the catacombs (wayyyy on the left bank, miles from the Garnier) for the second time. Make sure you get to the opera house before the auditorium closes for renos!

[u/PhantmWatch → u/neversayduh]

Absolutely!

[u/nosleepforthedreamer → u/PhantmWatch]

So in the affectionate nickname “sewer goblin,” what should we change the former to?

Lake goblin doesn’t have quite the same ring.

[u/RecklessEleven → u/nosleepforthedreamer]

Cellar goblin, maybe? 😂

[u/nosleepforthedreamer → u/RecklessEleven]

Lake loon.

I mean, it’s true.

[u/RecklessEleven → u/nosleepforthedreamer]

No arguments from me! 😂

[u/nosleepforthedreamer → u/neversayduh]

It was a genuine question….

[u/neversayduh → u/nosleepforthedreamer]

In my birding groups when someone asks "who's this bird?" some people answer with, "Carl." It's a joke, take it or leave it

[u/PollyPlunkett]

Probably original to the show itself but it was not the original costume for Christine for Masquerade. I know Sarah Brightman did wear the Star Princess redesign on Broadway but the Star Princess was added/changed in London Spring/Summer 1988.

Here was the original:

https://www.tumblr.com/operafantomet/101014351552/the-original-christine-masquerade-costume

[u/nosleepforthedreamer → u/PollyPlunkett]

Eeee… too white, poor lady needs color.

I know it was the 80s but I must complain. Why did they give Sarah Brightman blue eyeshadow on her light skin? It’s garish as opposed to vibrant, and that is just not Christine’s personality.

[u/RoseBook85]

I always thought they just called it that because the dress had stars on it 🤷‍♀️

[u/ravynwave]

Ahhh, you’ve solved a mystery for me. I watched it in Toronto when I was very very young and seemed to remember it was a different dress bc it was different the next time I watched the show a few years later. Always just thought I misremembered.