Phantom Tour Logo

After 26 years in London’s West End the immortal musical ‘The Phantom of the Opera‘ sets off on a UK nationwide tour, bringing one of the world’s longest running musicals to a theatre near you. Producer Cameron Mackintosh was delighted to announce that a spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical would tour the country, opening at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in March 2012 before embarking on an 8 city tour. After the overwhelming success of the 25th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in October last year the musical has been re-imagined by Mackintosh, along with choreographer Matthew Bourne. The new show features updated designs by Paul Brown, costumes by the late Maria Bjornson and lighting design by Paul Constable. Gillian Lynne’s original choreography has been adapted and updated by Scott Ambler, complementing the new direction by Laurence Connor who also directed the event at the Albert Hall.  Since 1986 only the original production has been seen all over the world (aside from Poland and Hungary and the Phantom Las Vegas Spectacular) so this new production is a special event. Cameron Mackintosh said of the production:

“Andrew and I also felt that it was time to give Phantom a fresh look, so, about three years ago, I approached theatre and opera designer Paul Brown to see if he was interested in taking over the baton from Maria to bring his own style and vision to our notion. It turned out that Maria had a special place in Paul’s life as, at the beginning of his career, he had been a young assistant to her at the Royal Opera House. The result of Paul’s long developed ideas for this project is a new version of the Phantom that is a visual feast and will give audiences the chance to see their favourite musical all over again through new eyes, and one which the creative team all hope will aspire to the soaring heights of theatrical magic achieved by Hal Prince and Gillian Lynne’s brilliant original.” (Cameron Mackintosh, UK Tour Programme) 

The cast for the tour features a number of well known stars who have had experience in various production of Phantom around the world. The iconic role of the Phantom will be played by John Owen Jones, a concert singer and actor who is most famously known for his roles in long running musicals The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables. John brings many years of experience to the role, having played the title role in London between 2001 and 2004, and again in the 2010/11 season. He currently holds the record for the most performances in the role, enjoying almost 2,000 West End outings behind the mask. He will kick off the tour, playing in all venues until 29th September. Earl Carpenter will take over the role from 1st October, having also already played the role in the West End. Carpenter had the pleasure of starring in the 25th Anniversary production of Phantom at the Albert Hall last year.

Newcomer Katie Hall will play Christine Daaé after covering and alternating the role for the past couple of years in the West End. Her big break came after getting through to the late stages in TV talent search ‘I’d Do Anything’, from which she entered the London company. Simon Bailey will play opposite her as romantic lead Raul, and is also an alumni of the London production.

Current tour dates for the production are as follows. Please note that further dates are looking to be announced:

 

  • Apr 05 2012 – May 19 2012
    Palace Theatre Manchester

    Angel of Music

  • May 23 2012 – Jun 30 2012
    Hippodrome Bristol
  • Jul 05 2012 – Aug 04 2012
    Grand Canal Theatre Dublin
  • Aug 09 2012 – Sep 15 2012
    Grand Theatre Leeds
  • Sep 19 2012 – Oct 20 2012
    Playhouse Edinburgh
  • Oct 24 2012 – Nov 24 2012
    Milton Keynes Theatre Milton Keynes
  • Dec 05 2012 – Jan 12 2013
    Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff
  • Jan 23 2013 – Feb 16 2013
    Mayflower Southampton

     

Tickets for the production in Edinburgh can be bought here.

View the trailer for the new UK Touring production of The Phantom of the Opera, and visit the interactive tour map here.

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