The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera is playing at His Majesty's Theatre in the West End, and it's not going anywhere soon — the current run goes on until 2 October 2027. It's Cameron Mackintosh's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, and it's one of the longest-running shows in West End history. It opened at this same theatre back in October 1986, with Michael Crawford as the Phantom and Sarah Brightman as Christine, and has run continuously since then. Over the years it's played to 160 million people in 229 cities across 54 territories and in 23 languages, and has picked up more than 70 major theatre awards. On 9 October, the production celebrated forty years at the theatre, with Lloyd Webber himself in attendance.

The story follows a disfigured genius who haunts the Paris Opera House and trains the orphaned chorus girl Christine to sing the 'Music of the Night'. The original 1986 cast recording was the first British musical theatre album to reach number one, and the show has spawned several adaptations, including a 2004 film starring Gerard Butler, which is distinct from Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel.

At the moment, Jordan Donica plays the Phantom, Beatrice Penny-Touré is Christine Daaé, and Rhys Whitfield is Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny. Colleen Rose Curran takes over as Christine at certain performances. Sierra Boggess plays Carlotta, Ian Pirie is Monsieur Firmin, and Joseph Millson is Monsieur André.

Performances run Monday to Saturday at 7:30pm, with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2:30pm. The running time is 2 hours 30 minutes, including a 20-minute interval. Tickets start from £25, with no booking fees; all prices include a £1.70 restoration levy. The theatre is at His Majesty's Theatre, Haymarket, St. James's, London SW1Y 4QL.