A timeline of 'The Phantom of the Opera' in the West End and beyond

The Opera Ghost has haunted audiences in the West End, on Broadway, and internationally since 1986 – learn more about its milestones ahead of the show's 40th anniversary.

Summary

• Andrew Lloyd Webber's romantic extravaganza The Phantom of the Opera was first performed in 1986
• It is the second-longest running musical in the West End and holds the record on Broadway
• The show has been performed all over the world
• The show celebrates its 40th anniversary this year

Brava, brava, bravissimo! A real West End institution, The Phantom of the Opera turns 40 this year and is looking as ravishing as ever! Countless audience members continue to discover the production or to think of the show fondly: there’s nothing else like it for the chance to be cloaked in romantic, gothic sumptuousness.

As the show reaches this significant landmark, savour each sensation of this wonderful musical and learn about its many milestones over the past 40 years.

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1985: Sydmonton Court try-out

A dedicated collector of Pre-Raphaelite art and other Victoriana, Andrew Lloyd Webber had the idea for a romantic 19th-century-set musical in the early 1980s. He and producer Cameron Mackintosh selected Gaston Leroux’s 1910 gothic novel The Phantom of the Opera as their source material. The role of Christine Daaé, the beautiful young corps de ballet dancer-turned-operatic soprano was the ideal vehicle for Lloyd Webber’s then-wife Sarah Brightman.

The show was first presented in workshop form at Sydmonton Court, Lloyd Webber’s country home, in 1985. Colm Wilkinson (later the original Jean Valjean in Les Misérables and the first Phantom in the Canadian production) was the Phantom, Sarah Brightman was Christine, and Clive Carter was Raoul. Richard Stilgoe (Starlight Express) provided the lyrics. The show was also publicised in a music video in which Brightman and rock star Steve Harley performed the title number.

West End premiere

The show arrived in the West End at Her Majesty’s Theatre (as it was known until 2022). Charles Hart took over from Stilgoe as the show’s primary lyricist. The lavish production was directed by Hal Prince, with ravishing designs by Maria Björnson (who provided over 200 costumes), and choreography by Gillian Lynne.

The search for the Phantom was widely publicised, and Michael Crawford, who had starred in the original London production of Barnum and who was also known for his sitcom work, landed the part. Brightman of course continued as Christine, and American actor Steve Barton played the dashing Raoul. The cast also included Rosemary Ashe as Carlotta, Mary Millar as Madame Giry, and Claire Moore as Alternate Christine.

The production won Olivier Awards for Best New Musical and Best Actor in a Musical (Michael Crawford) and was instantaneously a huge hit with the public. It remains the second-longest- running West End musical (after Les Misérables) and the third-longest-running show overall (The Mousetrap remains in the number one spot). The Original London Cast Recording has gone 4x Platinum.

1988: Broadway premiere

The hit West End show transferred to Broadway’s Majestic Theatre in January 1988, with the original lead trio reprising their roles, and a Tony-winning Judy Kaye as Carlotta. The production was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won seven, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Scenic Design, and Best Costume Design.

The Broadway production ran at the Majestic Theatre until 16 April 2023. At the time of its closing, the show had played 13,981 performances and it is to date the longest-running show to have played on Broadway.

1989 onwards: International success

The show travelled to Canada in 1989 and to Australia in 1990, where it played for nine years. There have also been sit-down productions in Germany, Austria, Spain, Denmark, Japan, and Brazil. The show has gone on several world tours too, most recently in 2024.

1993 and 2012: Phantom tours the UK

Phantom embarked on its first UK tour in 1993 led by Dave Willetts and Lisa Hull. In 2012, for the show’s 25th anniversary, long-serving West End Phantoms John Owen-Jones and Earl Carpenter took to the road sharing the title role, with Katie Hall as Christine.

2004: Feature film

Eighteen years after its stage premiere, the show became a Hollywood film directed by and starring Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Minnie Driver, and Miranda Richardson. The film received mixed reviews and struggled to replicate the glorious theatricality of the stage production.

2010: Love Never Dies

A sequel with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Glenn Slater opened at the Adelphi Theatre in 2010. The story is set on Coney Island and takes place about a decade after the events of the original. The show was led by Ramin Karimloo, one of the most popular West End Phantoms, and Sierra Boggess, who originated the role of Christine in the Las Vegas production. The show played for 17 months, and has subsequently been performed in Australia, Japan, on tour in the US, and around Europe.

There’ll be a chance to see Love Never Dies in concert form for two performances this October at the London Palladium starring Jamie Muscato (currently starring in Cabaret) and Celinde Schoenmaker (a former West End Christine).

2011: 25th anniversary celebrations

The show’s quarter century was marked in style with two glorious, fully staged gala performances at the Royal Albert Hall. Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess took the lead roles, with Hadley Fraser as Raoul, and numerous alumni filled the supporting roles and ensemble. The show was screened in cinemas, and a DVD and Blu-ray were released.

2016: 30th anniversary

In 2016, the West End production celebrated its 30th anniversary with a charity gala. Leads Ben Forster, Celinde Shoenmaker, and Nadim Naaman were joined on stage by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cameron Mackintosh, and members of the original cast, including Michael Crawford, for a special finale.

2021: Post-lockdown reopening

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the show reopened with some adjustments to the production. The opening cast was led by Killian Donnelly and Lucy St. Louis, who became the first Black actress to play Christine in the West End.

2025: Masquerade

The Broadway production might have closed in 2023 but the Opera Ghost hasn’t stayed away for long! In September 2025, Masquerade, a new immersive interpretation based on the original show, opened at 218 West 57th Street. Formidable ballet mistress Madame Giry guides each group through the story. New York Theatre Guide’s reviewer called it a “mezmerising experience… Masquerade instantly had me under its spell. I’d call it the point of no return, except I definitely hope to return.”

2026: 40th anniversary

The show continues to flourish in its 40th-anniversary year, with the West End production currently led by Dean Chisnall, Anna Zavelson (one of the original Christines in Masquerade), and Ashley Gilmour. Details of how the anniversary will be celebrated haven’t yet been confirmed, but no doubt Lloyd Webber and Mackintosh will ensure a charming gala at the very least!

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Photography: Courtesy of The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies, and Masquerade