Thrilling news for fans of The Phantom of the Opera with the news tonight that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical will be back in its original home, Her Majesty’s Theatre from June 2021 (restrictions permitting). Lord Lloyd Webber and producer Cameron Mackintosh announced today that the show will resume West End performances next year, with Killian Donnelly in the title role.
That still leaves some unanswered questions for the show’s “Phans” such as who will play Christine, and most importantly of all, will this be the original London production or a revised version of the show? Although there are a few elements of the familiar London production which might benefit from the vastly improved theatrical special effects and video trickery available to modern set, lighting and visual designers, it would be a real shame to dispatch too many of the show’s original creative features, from Maria Björnson’s production design to Hal Prince and Gillian Lynne’s direction and musical staging. Today’s announcement made no mention of the “original” phantom and that makes us just a little nervous. An improved Phantom is one thing – a butchered Phantom would be quite another.
Lloyd Webber’s involvement certainly seems to indicate that the production won’t be a watered down version of the stunning original and when Lockdown began he was very vocal about wanting to bring back the stunning original back into London when theatres can fully reopen.
Tickets are on sale now for performances from Saturday 5 June 2021. For more information visit the official Phantom of the Opera website. The show’s press today somewhat intriguingly tempts us with “further details to be announced…” and we’re certainly anxious to see what those announcements will be!