Phantom celebrates historic milestone

Last week saw Les Misérables celebrate its 21st year, and yesterday the 9th October 2006 a similar milestone was achieved by another long-running musical, as The Phantom of the Opera celebrated marking it's 20th year on the West End stage.

The "Phantom" marked its presence in the West End by cutting a cake on stage at the end of last nights show. The ever popular theatre composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sarah Brightman, who starred in the original production, were in attendance.

The original production of The Phantom Of The Opera opened at Her Majesty's theatre on the 9th of October 1986, with Michael Crawford better known as "Frank Spencer"  taking the lead as The Phantom, Steve Barton played Raoul with Sarah Brightman as Christine.

The show has won over 50 awards including the Most Popular Musical Audience Award, voted by the public in the 2002 Laurence Olivier Awards. 

It is also claims another record as the longest running show on Broadway: the 7,486th performance took place on 9th of January 2006, overtaking the previous record holder Cats, another Andrew Lloyd Webber creation that enjoyed a great run.

In the West End production, major cast changes are planned for the 16th of October 2006, when Celia Graham of Les Misérables, West Side Story is set to return to the production, joining Katie Knight-Adams. they will both share the role of Christine, while Michael Xavier (Mamma Mia &  My Fair Lady) will take over the role of Raoul. Heather Jackson returns as Madame Giry and Lindsey Wise will play Meg. Earl Carpenter will however continue to star in the lead role of The Phantom.

The Phantom Of The Opera has also been a great financial success, grossing over £1.7 billion worldwide, it's box office revenues are already higher than any film or stage play in history.

It is currently showing in London, New York, Budapest, Tokyo, Essen, Brazil, Hong Kong and Las Vegas.

You can book your tickets for the London show through FHR by clicking here