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Musical history · West End

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT 40: FOUR DECADES IN THE WEST END.

By Fitzrovia Talent ·

In brief

How Phantom began

The musical is based on Gaston Leroux’s novel The Phantom of the Opera, first published as a serial from September 1909 to January 1910. In early 1985 Andrew Lloyd Webber bought a copy of the original English translation and, with producer Cameron Mackintosh, decided to write his own version.

The first act was presented at Lloyd Webber’s Sydmonton Festival on 5 July 1985, with Colm Wilkinson as the Phantom and Sarah Brightman as Christine (then spelt “Kristin”). The creative team that took it to the West End was director Hal Prince, lyricist Charles Hart with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, choreographer Gillian Lynne and designer Maria Björnson. (Phantom of the Opera, History)

Opening night: 9 October 1986

Previews began on 27 September 1986 and the show opened on 9 October, with Michael Crawford as the Phantom, Sarah Brightman as Christine Daaé and Steve Barton as Raoul. (Phantom of the Opera, Original London Production)

At the 1986 Laurence Olivier Awards it won Musical of the Year, and Crawford won Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actor in a Musical. (West End Theatre, Olivier Awards 1986)

The Original London Cast Recording, made at Abbey Road Studios in September and October 1986, was the first musical cast recording to debut at number one in the UK charts. (Phantom of the Opera)

Forty years in numbers

(Sources: Phantom of the Opera, History; Phantom of the Opera, 9 October 2026)

A theatre named for the monarch

His Majesty’s Theatre on Haymarket stands on a site that has held a theatre since 1705, when John Vanbrugh opened the Queen’s Theatre. The current building, designed by C. J. Phipps, opened in 1897. Its name follows the reigning monarch: it was Her Majesty’s when Phantom opened, and was renamed His Majesty’s Theatre on 6 May 2023 to mark the coronation of King Charles III. (LW Theatres, About His Majesty’s Theatre)

The 40th anniversary gala

Cameron Mackintosh’s production marked the milestone with a sold-out 6.30pm gala performance on Friday 9 October 2026. The anniversary company is led by Jordan Donica (the Phantom), Beatrice Penny-Touré (Christine Daaé) and Rhys Whitfield (Raoul), with Sierra Boggess as Carlotta, Matt Bateman as Piangi, Joseph Millson as Monsieur André, Ian Pirie as Monsieur Firmin, Joanna Riding as Madame Giry and Millie Lyon as Meg Giry. Colleen Rose Curran plays Christine at certain performances. (Andrew Lloyd Webber)

The night included a one-off third act and a curtain call with much-loved alumni from the show’s 40 years. (Phantom of the Opera) BroadwayWorld reported that the original Phantom and Christine, Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, took part, with Crawford singing “The Music of the Night”. (BroadwayWorld)

Across London, projections of the Phantom’s mask appeared near St Paul’s Cathedral, Oxford Street, the Shard and Hammersmith Bridge, alongside light shows in Cologne, Shanghai and New York. (Phantom of the Opera)

Coming to cinemas in 2027

The gala was recorded live at His Majesty’s, the first time Phantom has been captured there, for an international cinema release in 2027. It is a co-production between LW Entertainment, Cameron Mackintosh Limited and Universal Pictures Content Group, directed for the screen by Brett Sullivan (Hadestown) and produced by Dione Orrom (Six: The Musical Live!). (Phantom of the Opera)

To mark the anniversary, Lloyd Webber has also remixed the 1986 Original London Cast Recording from the original analogue tapes. The Phantom of the Opera (The Andrew Lloyd Webber 2026 Mix) was released digitally on 9 October, with 3LP vinyl and 2CD editions on 6 November and a limited 6LP box set on 20 November. (Phantom of the Opera)

What it means for performers

The anniversary leaves a legacy for the next generation. Gala ticket proceeds, matched by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and the Mackintosh Foundation, will launch a Phantom 40th Scholarship Programme. It will fund professional training at leading performing arts schools across the UK and will be run by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, opening for applications for the 2027–28 academic year. Beatrice Penny-Touré, the gala’s Christine, is herself a former Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation scholar. (Andrew Lloyd Webber)

With 39 performers named in the anniversary cast announcement, Phantom remains one of the West End’s biggest musical theatre companies, with ensemble, swing and cover roles alongside its principals. If you’re a musical theatre performer looking for representation, see our musical theatre division. Casting directors can send a brief.

FAQ

When did The Phantom of the Opera open in London? It opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre (now His Majesty’s Theatre) on 9 October 1986, after previews from 27 September 1986. It has played at the same theatre ever since.

Who is in the Phantom of the Opera 40th anniversary cast? Jordan Donica plays the Phantom, Beatrice Penny-Touré plays Christine Daaé and Rhys Whitfield plays Raoul, with Sierra Boggess as Carlotta. The anniversary company performs until 21 November 2026.

Will the Phantom of the Opera 40th anniversary be shown in cinemas? Yes. The 9 October 2026 gala was captured live at His Majesty’s Theatre for an international cinema release in 2027.

Who were the original Phantom and Christine? Michael Crawford played the Phantom and Sarah Brightman played Christine Daaé, with Steve Barton as Raoul.

What is the Phantom 40th Scholarship Programme? A new programme, funded by gala ticket proceeds matched by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and the Mackintosh Foundation, to pay for professional training at UK performing arts schools. It opens for applications for the 2027–28 academic year.

How long can I book Phantom of the Opera in London? Tickets are on sale for performances up to 2 October 2027, from £25 with no booking fee, at phantomoftheopera.com/london.

Sources