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Stage Production Notes
The Phantom of the Opera first opened in London on September 27, 1986. The original production was directed by Harold Prince, with production design by Maria Bjornson. Michael Crawford played the Phantom, and Sarah Brightman played Christine Daae, roles which they performed on the West End and in Broadway.
Writing for Sunday Express, Richard Barkley described the show as “a gorgeous operatic extravaganza that is a thrill to the blood and a sensual feast for the eye.” Michael Billington in his review for The Guardian noted “The Phantom works…because it delights in the possibilities of theatre.”
After Phantom’s much hyped Broadway opening two years later, the New York Times theatre critic Frank Rich also gave the show a positive review, somewhat begrudgingly claiming it was “worth seeing not only for its punch as high-gloss entertainment but also as a fascinating key to what the phenomenon is about.”
The show won a slew of awards, including the Olivier Award for Musical of the Year (1986) and Tony Award for Best Musical (1988).
Phantom went on to become one the most commercially successful musical of all time. According to the official website, as of 2016 the show has played to “140 million people in 35 countries in 166 cities around the world with an estimated gross of $6 billion.”
A film version directed by Joel Schumaker was released in 2004. It is available to stream via Apple Plus.
The Phantom of the Opera ran on Broadway for 35 years, with a brief pause during the pandemic-induced theatre shutdown in 2020. The Broadway run concluded on April 16, 2023 after a record breaking 13,981 performances - making The Phantom of the Opera the longest running Broadway musical.
The West End production continues to run at His Majesty's Theatre, though since its post-pandemic shutdown re-opening has played with a reduced pit of 14 players instead of the original 27-member orchestra.
The Phantom of the Opera first opened in London on September 27, 1986. The original production was directed by Harold Prince, with production design by Maria Bjornson. Michael Crawford played the Phantom, and Sarah Brightman played Christine Daae, roles which they performed on the West End and in Broadway.
Writing for Sunday Express, Richard Barkley described the show as “a gorgeous operatic extravaganza that is a thrill to the blood and a sensual feast for the eye.” Michael Billington in his review for The Guardian noted “The Phantom works…because it delights in the possibilities of theatre.”
After Phantom’s much hyped Broadway opening two years later, the New York Times theatre critic Frank Rich also gave the show a positive review, somewhat begrudgingly claiming it was “worth seeing not only for its punch as high-gloss entertainment but also as a fascinating key to what the phenomenon is about.”
The show won a slew of awards, including the Olivier Award for Musical of the Year (1986) and Tony Award for Best Musical (1988).
Phantom went on to become one the most commercially successful musical of all time. According to the official website, as of 2016 the show has played to “140 million people in 35 countries in 166 cities around the world with an estimated gross of $6 billion.”
A film version directed by Joel Schumaker was released in 2004. It is available to stream via Apple Plus.
The Phantom of the Opera ran on Broadway for 35 years, with a brief pause during the pandemic-induced theatre shutdown in 2020. The Broadway run concluded on April 16, 2023 after a record breaking 13,981 performances - making The Phantom of the Opera the longest running Broadway musical.
The West End production continues to run at His Majesty's Theatre, though since its post-pandemic shutdown re-opening has played with a reduced pit of 14 players instead of the original 27-member orchestra.
Filmed Production Notes
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the smash hit musical in 2011, a special concert was held at Royal Albert Hall in London. The cast included Ramin Karmiloo and Sierra Boggess, both of whom had originated the roles of Phantom and Christine in the London production of Love Never Dies.
The concert played three performances, and the third performance was livestreamed in cinemas around the world via Fathom Events. Encore screenings were held in the week following. The film reportedly earned approx. $4.4 million.
Footage from the three performances were combined for the subsequent DVD, which was released late in 2011.
In the USA, the production was also shown on PBS’ Great Performances in March 2012.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall was streamed live for free on YouTube. Due to rights restrictions, the stream was only freely available for 24 hours in the UK, and 48 hours in the rest of the world.
In September 2020, Radial Park at Halletts Point Astoria Queens announced “Broadway at the Drive-In”, a new drive-in cinema that includes live performances in addition to the film. Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall will play from September 26 until October 11. The screening will feature in-person performances by Broadway performers Ali Ewoldt and Derrick Davis, accompanied by an 11-piece orchestra. Guests without cars are able to reserve picnic tables.
The Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall is widely available on DVD and Blu-ray, and to stream on Apple TV, Amazon, BroadwayHD, and YouTube (these links contain affiliate links and Filmed Live Musicals may earn income from qualifying purchases made through these links).
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the smash hit musical in 2011, a special concert was held at Royal Albert Hall in London. The cast included Ramin Karmiloo and Sierra Boggess, both of whom had originated the roles of Phantom and Christine in the London production of Love Never Dies.
The concert played three performances, and the third performance was livestreamed in cinemas around the world via Fathom Events. Encore screenings were held in the week following. The film reportedly earned approx. $4.4 million.
Footage from the three performances were combined for the subsequent DVD, which was released late in 2011.
In the USA, the production was also shown on PBS’ Great Performances in March 2012.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall was streamed live for free on YouTube. Due to rights restrictions, the stream was only freely available for 24 hours in the UK, and 48 hours in the rest of the world.
In September 2020, Radial Park at Halletts Point Astoria Queens announced “Broadway at the Drive-In”, a new drive-in cinema that includes live performances in addition to the film. Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall will play from September 26 until October 11. The screening will feature in-person performances by Broadway performers Ali Ewoldt and Derrick Davis, accompanied by an 11-piece orchestra. Guests without cars are able to reserve picnic tables.
The Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall is widely available on DVD and Blu-ray, and to stream on Apple TV, Amazon, BroadwayHD, and YouTube (these links contain affiliate links and Filmed Live Musicals may earn income from qualifying purchases made through these links).
The Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Royal Albert Hall
Producer: Really Useful Group, Cameron Mackintosh, Brett Sullivan, Dione Orrom, Thomas Schoenberg
Music and Lyrics: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart, Richard Stilgoe
Director: Laurence Connor, Film: Nick Morris
Choreography: Gillian Lynne
Scenic Design: Matt Kinley (based on Maria Björnson’s original design)
Lighting Design: Patrick Woodroffe and Andrew Bridge
Sound Design: Mick Potter
Cast: Ramin Karmiloo (Phantom), Sierra Boggess (Christine), Hadley Fraser (Raoul), Keira Duffy (Carlotta), Daisy Maywood (Meg Giry), Barry James (Monsieur Firmin), Gareth Snook (Monsieur Andre), Liz Robertson (Madame Giry), Wynn Evans (Piangi), Sergei Polunin (Slave Master), Daisy Maywood (Meg Giry), Nick Holder (Joseph Buquet), Earl Carpenter (Auctioneer), Philip Griffiths (Monsieur Reyer), Simon Green (Monsieur Lefevre), Stephen Davis (Don Attilio/“Il Muto”), Garðar Cortes (Passarino/“Don Juan Triumphant”), Heather Jackson (Madame Firmin), Ellen Jackson (Wardrobe Mistress), Rosemary Ashe (Confidante/“Il Muto”)
Theatre: Royal Albert Hall
Producer: Really Useful Group, Cameron Mackintosh, Brett Sullivan, Dione Orrom, Thomas Schoenberg
Music and Lyrics: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart, Richard Stilgoe
Director: Laurence Connor, Film: Nick Morris
Choreography: Gillian Lynne
Scenic Design: Matt Kinley (based on Maria Björnson’s original design)
Lighting Design: Patrick Woodroffe and Andrew Bridge
Sound Design: Mick Potter
Cast: Ramin Karmiloo (Phantom), Sierra Boggess (Christine), Hadley Fraser (Raoul), Keira Duffy (Carlotta), Daisy Maywood (Meg Giry), Barry James (Monsieur Firmin), Gareth Snook (Monsieur Andre), Liz Robertson (Madame Giry), Wynn Evans (Piangi), Sergei Polunin (Slave Master), Daisy Maywood (Meg Giry), Nick Holder (Joseph Buquet), Earl Carpenter (Auctioneer), Philip Griffiths (Monsieur Reyer), Simon Green (Monsieur Lefevre), Stephen Davis (Don Attilio/“Il Muto”), Garðar Cortes (Passarino/“Don Juan Triumphant”), Heather Jackson (Madame Firmin), Ellen Jackson (Wardrobe Mistress), Rosemary Ashe (Confidante/“Il Muto”)
Sources
Articles
Websites
- Michael Billington, “The Phantom of the Opera,” The Guardian (Oct 10, 1986)
- Logan Culwell-Block, West End The Phantom of the Opera to Reduce Orchestra by Half; Broadway Production Commits to Return With Full Pit, Playbill (April 13, 2021)
- Jeff Lunden, “'Phantom of the Opera' takes a final Broadway bow after 13,981 performances,” NPR (April 15, 2023)
- Dan Meyer, "New Drive-In Movie Theatre in NYC to Screen The Phantom of the Opera, Starring Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess," Playbill (Sept 22, 2020)
- Mark Shenton, “Principal Casting Announced for Royal Albert Hall's 25th Anniversary Performances of Phantom of the Opera,” Playbill (Sept 23, 2011)
- Mark Shenton, “Phantom of the Opera Plays London's Royal Albert Hall,” Playbill (Oct 1, 2011)
- Sarah Whitten, ‘Hamilton’ is coming to movie theaters October 2021 and ‘the box office potential is massive’ CNBC (Feb 3, 2020)
Websites
- The Phantom of the Opera, “25th Anniversary,” Accessed via: http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/25th-anniversary
- PBS, “The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall,” Great Performances, Accessed via: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/the-phantom-of-the-opera-at-the-royal-albert-hall-about-the-program/1258/
Written by Luisa Lyons (February, 2017; updated Sept 2020)