Andrew Lloyd Webber's sensational long-running musical The Phantom of the Opera continues to run in its original form at the West End's Her Majesty's Theatre. Since opening in 1986 where it won the Olivier Award for Best Musical, the show features some of Lloyd Webber's most memorable music alongside the original stunning set design, costumes and special effects.
The haunting story of The Phantom of the Opera is adapted from Gaston Leroux's novel of the same name and is set in the heart of the Paris Opera House. As young ballet dancer Christine Daae becomes the object of The Phantom's secret affections, he manipulates her career at the expense and horror of the Opera House staff and stars. A truly romantic tragedy, this beautiful story is set against one of the West End's most memorable scores that includes hit songs such as “The Music of the Night”, “All I Ask of You”, “Think of Me”, and of course, “The Phantom of the Opera”.
Phantom of the Opera began previews in London on 27th September 1986, with an original opening night on 9th October 1986.
The musical is one of the most successful pieces of entertainment in history with combined worldwide grosses of over $5.6 billion. It has been seen by over 130 million people in 145 cities across 27 countries, and continues to play in its original form in both the West End, where it is the second longest running musical in history, and Broadway, where it boasts the title of the longest-running show.
Having spawned a sequel musical Love Never Dies and a successful film adaptation starring Gerard Butler, the glorious original production in London's West End continues to draw audiences from all over the world. Boasting an incredible cast of performers, audiences find themselves consistently drawn to the show time and time again, with a new generation of theatre lovers discovering the musical for the very first time.
Book your The Phantom of the Opera tickets, playing at Her Majesty's Theatre today.
Want to browse for more musicals? Check out our guide to the top 10 musicals in London.
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5 images Deep in the bowels of the Paris Opera House a disfigured genius becomes obsessed with a young ballet dancer, Christine Daae. As he teaches her singing, becoming her 'angel of music', she finds herself drawn to his charm and mystery, unable to resist his talents as a composer. The Phantom haunts the opera house, making demands of its new owners in an attempt to get Christine to star in a new opera that he has written especially for her. The handsome Raoul is also in love with Christine and challenges The Phantom for her affections, leading to an onstage disaster that literally brings down the house. The Phantom of the Opera is a haunting, romantic epic that will delight audiences both young and old.
Stop a person on the street and ask them to name a West End musical, they’ll probably say one of two things: Les Mis, or The Phantom of the Opera. The latter has been impressively running non-stop at Her Majesty’s Theatre for over 3 decades now, but does Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical still have the same sense of wonder as it did all that time ago.
NOTE: There have been many cast changes since these reviews
Canadian singer Tim Howar is a rock star through-and-through. Whether it’s leading ’80s rock group Mike + the Mechanics on stage in front of thousands, or taking to the theatre, starring in shows like Rock of Ages or Chess. Now, he takes on the West End’s biggest rock star as he prepares to play the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical - a show he sold tickets for when he first moved to London.
A new cast has been announced for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London. Ben Lewis will take over from Ben Forster as The Phantom. Lewis has previously played the character in the Australian production of Lloyd Webber’s Phantom sequel Love Never Dies. He has previously appeared in London in Forbidden Broadway at the Menier Chocolate Factory, and starred alongside Anne-Jane Casey in Annie Get Your Gun in Sheffield.
