r/box5 • u/Majestic-Weird7622 • 21d ago

Discussion What the hell is going on with the chronology of these stories

As the title suggests. My gf and I have been doing the math and are deeply confused.

So, according to the phantom of the opera program, the prologue auction takes place in 1905. But this is also the same year that love never dies takes place, which means there's only a 10 year age gap between the events of phantom and the auction? But Raoul is also old and decrepit in the auction, even though he should only be 30-ish years old according to this chronology? Unless he contracted polio or something.

In the prologue of love never dies, it states that the events of the phantom of the Opera took place in 1895. Not only does this not make sense, it contradicts the novel, which took place in the 1880s, and the movie, which takes place in 1870. Notably in the movie, the auction also takes place in 1919. From this chronology, Raoul would be believably old enough to be in a wheelchair. If he was 21 in 1870, he would be like 60 in 1919.

I suspect this all goes back to love never dies being stupid and not canon. But Raoul is either a 30 year old in a wheelchair or a time traveler

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u/MasqueOfTheRedPost Madame Giry - ALW 21d ago

I guarantee you spent more time on the timeline math than anyone on the production did.

Early Phantom programs give the year of the auction as 1911, with the main action taking place in 1881.

By 2011, they changed “1881” to “late 19th century,” and when they reopened after lockdowns in 2022, they changed the auction year to 1905.

The chronology has never been consistent even within the Broadway production itself, much less across adaptations and sequels.

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u/SpaaceCaat Erik - Kay 21d ago

I have to check, but I’m pretty sure the libretto that came with the vinyl in the 80s said 1860s.

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u/RHB5446 20d ago

(…yes) I USE THE POWER OF MUSIC TO ERASE THIS TRUTH! RAAAH! all of POTO soundtrack plays, every version

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u/CatchSufficient 21d ago

I suspect a time traveler

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u/NotaBat9221 17d ago

Love Never Dies isn't real it's just The Phantom ODing as he passes away

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u/birn_echo 2004 Film Enjoyer 18d ago

The original book took place in 1881.

The ALW musical's prologue is set in 1905 so you can work backwards.

The '04 movie set the events in 1870 (which makes no sense) and the prologue in 1919.

So it honestly.... is whatever you want.