![]() The local newsletters go out twice a day and send the latest stories straight to your inbox.įrom community stories and news covering every borough of London to celebrity and lifestyle stories, we'll make sure you get the very best every day. We have seven newsletters you can currently sign up for - including a different one for each part of London, as well as an EastEnders one for all the gossip from Albert Square, and a London Underground one to keep you up to date on the latest transport news. The success of the campaign has encouraged her to start her own permanent radio show, Behind the Mirror of Music, where she interviews musical theatre stars about their lives and careers.ĭannii says: "I finally feel part of theatre life again." "I have seen The Phantom of the Opera 37 times and have spent thousands over the years on tickets and collectibles."Īt MyLondon, we want to make sure you get the latest and greatest from across the capital.Īnd one way you can do that is by getting the best news, reviews and features from wherever you are straight to your inbox with our free email newsletters. To help save the venue, she launched a two-hour radio event, Phantoms for Leroux, where she interviewed celebrated Phantoms from over the years - including the acclaimed Mike Sterling, and Ethan Freeman. She launched her own Phantom-inspired Instagram page, which has almost 2,000 followers.Īt the end of 2020, Dannii heard that Parisian restaurant La Cave de Gaston Leroux was under threat of closure.Īs a shrine to the novel and its author with memorabilia on display, the venue is considered to be a Mecca for Phans. When The Phantom of the Opera was broadcast online during lockdown, Dannii reconnected with the show.ĭannii joined online communities on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and Discord, and began connecting with other Phans. I tried various avenues, but always felt lost, as if a part of me was missing."ĭannii Cohen with "Queen of the Sea" make up (Image: Dannii Cohen) "I found myself at home drowning in self-loathing. She trained as an actress, comedian and singer, but says that "mental health issues, trauma and PTSD" made working full time impossible. ![]() I will always be grateful to them."ĭannii credits the musical for having "saved my life" more recently too.Īlthough she had found means of coping with her depression as a teenager, Dannii continued to struggle with her mental health. Dannii says: "This was a magical time during dark days, having these kind men reach out to a deeply depressed teenager. To her surprise, both actors were supportive and willing to help. Then, when the production came to the Netherlands -"imagine my joy!"- Dannii reached out to the Phantoms, Henk Poort and Ben Cramer, opening up about the adversity she was facing and her love for the show. She'd listen to songs from the musical on her way to school, and, encouraged to try singing herself, she even played Christine in a music school production. ![]() When Dannii finally saw the musical in London -something her mother had arranged as a surprise- its effect on her was magnified.ĭannii's love of the musical steeled her against the bullying. It always felt like I had a friend in Erik - there is something special and magical about him."ĭannii Cohen playing Christine in a music school production (Image: Dannii Cohen) I related to him but also wanted to be rescued by him. "Because of the bullying I’ve always felt like an outsider. At the same time, I identified with Erik, the Phantom. "Within a day I was a Phan and dreamed of being Christine. "The story immediately grabbed me," says Dannii. She could see aspects of herself reflected in both Christine - and Erik. ![]() That feeling lasted until the day I saw The Phantom of the Opera on TV."įor Dannii, Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical provided solace in a time of distress. I was certain no-one could ever understand how I felt. "I felt lonely, suicidal and misunderstood. As an easy target, I was mercilessly and violently bullied. And most of all, I loved to dance and sing. "While other kids watched Jurassic Park, I’d love nothing more than sitting with my grandparents and watching an Operetta Gala. "When I was a child, I was different," says Dannii Cohen, a freelance writer and social media manager from the Netherlands. Headshot of Dannii Cohen (Image: Dannii Cohen) ![]()
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