The 25th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical The Phantom Of The Opera is to be celebrated with a two-date staging at the Royal Albert Hall on 1 and 2 October.
Former Phantom Ramin Karimloo will partner Sierra Boggess – with whom he starred alongside in Love Never Dies – in this fully staged production featuring a cast and orchestra of over 200.
The duo play the Phantom and his love interest Christine in this tale of life beneath the stage of the Paris Opera House. Based on Gaston Leroux’s 1911 gothic novel, Lloyd Webber’s musical opened on 9 October 1986 at Her Majesty’s theatre, where it still resides today after becoming one of the best loved musicals of all time.
After playing the title role in The Phantom Of The Opera, Karimloo went on to originate the role for Lloyd Webber’s continuation of the story, Love Never Dies, at the Adelphi theatre. Both he and Boggess – who played Christine – received nominations for their performances at the 2011 Olivier Awards.
The pair will be joined in this new staging of The Phantom Of The Opera by Barry James, Gareth Snook, Liz Robertson as Madame Giry – who also appeared in Love Never Dies – and Wynne Evans, along with some promised special guests.
Producer Cameron Mackintosh said: “The success of the show has become the stuff of theatrical legend so Andrew and I felt we needed to create a really special performance to celebrate the 25th anniversary.”
The musical’s quarter-century celebrations follow a year after the 25th birthday of another Cameron Mackintosh production, Les Misérables, which was celebrated with a concert production at the O2 and a 25th anniversary production at the Barbican.
Tickets go on sale for the Phantom’s birthday celebrations on 4 July, and can be purchased on 0845 401 5045.
CB