In response to the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall was streamed live for free on YouTube. In the USA, the production was also shown on PBS’ Great Performances in March 2012. $4.4 million.įootage from the three performances were combined for the subsequent DVD, which was released late in 2011. Encore screenings were held in the week following. The concert played three performances, and the third performance was livestreamed in cinemas around the world via Fathom Events.

The cast included Ramin Karmiloo and Sierra Boggess, both of whom had originated the roles of Phantom and Christine in the London production of Love Never Dies.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the smash hit musical in 2011, a special concert was held at Royal Albert Hall in London. Thirty years after it first opened, Phantom continues to play on the West End at Her Majesty’s Theatre, on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre, and in a myriad of professional and amateur productions around the world. It is available to stream via Apple Plus. According to the official website, as of 2016 the show has played to “140 million people in 35 countries in 166 cities around the world with an estimated gross of $6 billion.”Ī film version directed by Joel Schumaker was released in 2004. Phantom went on to become one the most commercially successful musical of all time. The show won a slew of awards, including the Olivier Award for Musical of the Year (1986) and Tony Award for Best Musical (1988). Writing for Sunday Express, Richard Barkley described the show as “a gorgeous operatic extravaganza that is a thrill to the blood and a sensual feast for the eye.” Michael Billington in his review for The Guardian noted “The Phantom works…because it delights in the possibilities of theatre.”Īfter Phantom’ s much hyped Broadway opening two years later, the New York Times theatre critic Frank Rich (somewhat begrudgingly) also gave the show a positive review, claiming it was “worth seeing not only for its punch as high-gloss entertainment but also as a fascinating key to what the phenomenon is about.” Michael Crawford played the Phantom, and Sarah Brightman played Christine Daae, roles which they performed on the West End and in Broadway. The original production was directed by Harold Prince, with production design by Maria Bjornson. The Phantom of the Opera first opened in London on September 27, 1986.

The phantom of the opera cast 2016