Directed by Harold Prince with musical staging and choreography by Gillian Lynne and production design by Maria Björnson, the team have really pulled off a sumptuous spectacle for the eyes and the ears. And the Royal Albert Hall really works as a venue. With her star in the ascendant and a member of the aristocracy falling for her, Will Christine forget her Angel of Music and what will his reaction be if she does?īased on the French novel of the same name by Gaston Leroux, and with the creative team of Andrew Lloyd Webber (book and music), Charles Hart (lyrics) and Richard Stilgoe (book), Phantom of the Opera moved into Her Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End on 27th September 1986 and by 2011, it had been seen by over 130 million people in 145 cities across 27 countries, Staging a huge extravaganza for the 25th anniversary was pretty much of a no-brainer really. That night, Christine takes to the stage and makes a triumphant début as a star soprano, being lauded by everyone, but especially Raoul, who is an old childhood friend. With no star, the owners are facing a major problem until Meg Giry (Daisy Maywood), the daughter of the Opéra’s ballet mistress Madame Giry (Liz Robertson), tells Firmin and André that chorus girl Christine Daaé (Sierra Boggess) could play the role, as she has been taking lessons with a mysterious teacher, know to Christine only as an “Angel of Music” (Ramin Karimloo). Carlotta angrily chastises the new owners saying they know nothing, and storms offstage, closely followed by Monsieur Piangi (Wynne Evans). Whilst they think that the dropping backdrop is one of those things, there are mumblings among the cast about ‘The Phantom’. It is unfortunate that this has happened at this time as the theatre is being visited by its new owners – Monsieur Richard Firmin (Barry James) and Monsieur Gilles André (Gareth Snook). Carlotta (Wendy Ferguson), the Opéra’s resident soprano prima donna is centre stage, and the centre of attention, when a backdrop suddenly falls.

In speaking of this lot, the auctioneer notes its connection to “ the strange affair of the Phantom of the Opera”.Īs we watch, the chandelier comes back to life and we are transported back to 1881 where a rehearsal is taking place. Finally, Lot 666 – a broken old chandelier – comes up. There are also some special members of the public attending the auction, including Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny (Hadley Fraser) who is determined to buy certain lots, including a papier-mâché music box.

This is no ordinary auction, as the auctioneer (Earl Carpenter) has some very special lots to dispose of. Paris, 1905 and an auction is taking place on the stage of the Opéra Populaire.

So, for The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary a huge cast, massive orchestra and the Royal Albert Hall, was called for. But, if you are Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh, and the twenty-fifth anniversary being celebrated is of one of your most successful musicals, then something a little bit bigger is called for. For most couples, it might be a candlelit dinner in a romantic restaurant. The Phantom of the Opera – Courtesy of The Really Useful Group LtdĪ twenty-fifth anniversary is something to be celebrated.

London phantom of the opera cast