West End Wednesday: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

The Phantom of the Opera is a 1986 musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart, and a book and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. The musical is based on the Gaston Leroux novel of the same name which tells the story of a young French soprano at the Paris Opera House who becomes the obsession of the masked genius living in the catacombs beneath. 

After the success of their collaboration on CATS, Andrew Lloyd Webber contacted producer Cameron Mackintosh in 1984 to propose the idea of a new romance led musical. Mackintosh suggested the Leroux novel, but neither of them saw any potential in it after watching both the 1925 and 1943 films, until Lloyd Webber managed to find a copy of the long out-of-print text. Lyrically the piece went through several options. Jim Steinman was unavailable due to his commitment to popstar Bonnie Tyler and Alan Lerner joined but was forced to retire from the project due to worsening health. Lloyd Webber employed his Starlight Express co-writer Richard Stilgoe to pen the book and lyrics. As the process developed, the show evolved into a sung-through musical and it was felt that Stilgoe’s contributions weren’t landing as much as they liked. The team employed up and coming lyricist Charles Hart to rework the lyrics and provide his own for the rest of the score. Some of Alan Lerner’s contributions remain in certain songs, however, his work is uncredited. 

An all-star creative team was assigned to create this mammoth show. Maria Bjornson was employed to design the iconic sets ranging from the Grand Opera House to the subterranean network, as well as the legendary falling chandelier. She also designed over 200 costumes for the show. The production was choreographed by Gillian Lynne who had made waves with her ground-breaking choreography for CATS and was directed by the infamous Broadway legend Hal Prince. Lloyd Webber had also orchestrated the piece to an impressive 28 players. 

As has become tradition, Lloyd Webber previewed the first act at Sydmonton starring Colm Wilkinson as the Phantom opposite Sarah Brightman as Christine and Clive Carter as Raoul. This preview included a lot of Stilgoe’s original lyrics and the original full mask for the Phantom. It was here that Maria Bjornson decided to design the iconic half mask in order to not hinder the Phantom’s performance or sound quality. The production began previews at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End on 27 September 1986. Brightman returned as Christine, joined by Steve Barton as Raoul. They had cast rock star Steve Harley as the Phantom and even recorded a music video, however, it became clear in rehearsals that Harley didn’t quite fit, and they recast Michael Crawford in the role. The production opened to widespread commercial success and critical acclaim and following its predecessor of a year, Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera quickly established itself as a juggernaut in musical theatre history. The production ran until 14 March 2020 when it was forced to shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned in 2021 after many contradicting conversations between Cameron Mackintosh and Lloyd Webber’s ‘Really Useful Group’ in a new production, changed from the original. Small changes to choreography and set were made, with the biggest and most controversial change being the halving of its original orchestra to fourteen players. The show reopened with Killian Donnelly as the Phantom, Rhys Whitfield as Raoul, and Lucy St Louis as Christine. St Louis’ casting marked the first time that Christine had been played by a person of colour in the show’s entire run.

The show opened for previews on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre on 9 January 1988 with Brighton, Crawford and Barton all reprising their original roles from the London production. The success found in London transferred over the Atlantic and it again opened in New York to acclaim both critical and commercial, sweeping the 1988 TONY awards. The Phantom of the Opera has become the longest running show in Broadway history and although suspended for the COVID-19 pandemic, unlike the West End production, the Broadway production reopened on Broadway in 2021 unchanged. 

A special 25th Anniversary gala performance took place at the Royal Albert Hall in 2011 starring Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom, Sierra Boggess as Christine, and Hadley Fraser as Raoul. In 2012, a new touring production was created to commemorate the show, directed by Laurence Connor and starring John Owen-Jones, alternating with Earl Carpenter as the Phantom, Katie Hall as Christine and Simon Bailey as Raoul. 

In 2004, the show was adapted into a movie musical directed by Joel Schumacher. It starred Gerard Butler as the Phantom, Emmy Rossum as Christine, and Patrick Wilson as Raoul. The film made a strong box office return but opened to neutral reviews. 

The Phantom of the Opera became one of the highest grossing musicals to date, surpassing $1 billion on Broadway and over $6 worldwide. It was also the most financially successful entertainment event until The Lion King overtook it in 2014.

Besties, I’m not even going to tell you to listen, because I would be shocked if you hadn’t!

Cast recordings and filmed versions available on streaming services. 

FACTS

Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics: Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe
Book: Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber
Theatre: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Run: (Original) 27 September 1986 – 14 March 2020 (13,629 performances) 

OLIVIERS:

(NOMINATED) Designer of the Year – Maria Bjornson

(WON) Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical – Michael Crawford

TONYS:  

(NOMINATED) Best Book of a Musical – Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Best Original Score – Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, Best Choreography – Gillian Lynne

(WON) Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical – Michael Crawford, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical – Judy Kaye, Best Direction of a Musical – Harold Prince, Best Scenic Design – Maria Bjornson, Best Costume Design – Maria Bjornson, Best Lighting Design – Andrew Bridge.