As The Phantom Of The Opera approaches its 21st birthday later this year, two actresses are to equally share the role of Christine for the first time in the London production’s history.
Robyn North, whose credits include Evita at the Adelphi and Thoroughly Modern Millie on tour, and Leila Benn Harris, who has also appeared in Evita and played Carmen in Fame The Musical, are now performing four shows each a week in the demanding role of Christine. North has already been the alternate Christine in the show.
North and Benn Harris perform alongside Earl Carpenter as the Phantom, Michael Xavier as Raoul and Wendy Ferguson as Carlotta. The cast also includes Rohan Tickell, James Barron, Sam Hiller, Heather Jackson and Lyndsey Wise.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom Of The Opera opened on 9 October 1986 at Her Majesty’s theatre, where it remains today, making it one of the longest running musicals in the West End, second only to Les Misérables. Based on the novel Le Fantôme de L’Opéra by Gaston Leroux, the story is set in the Paris Opera House, where young opera singer Christine attracts the attentions of the mysterious Phantom. The lead role of the Phantom was originated in 1986 by Michael Crawford, while Sarah Brightman played Christine. CB