The show will be returning to its birthplace 35 years after is world premiere, with a cast that is entirely new for the first time in its London history. Led by critically acclaimed performer Killian Donnelly in the title role, the main cast will be completed by Rhys Withfield (who had also played Raoul in the last UK tour) and Lucy St Louis as Christine, whose previous credits include several West End shows like Beatiful, Motown and Book of Mormon.
It’s back – The Phantom of the Operaaaaaaa! After many months of speculation on how and when the world’s most spellbinding show would return to its birthplace, it seems that some light has been shed on the music of the night. Producers Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh have just made official the new cast that will be treading the boards at Her Majesty’s when theatres are allowed to reopen in summer. Apart from previously confirmed peformer Killian Donnelly, who will be starring in the title role, the trio will be completed by Lucy St Louis as Christine and Rhys Whitfield as Raoul.
“Putting the new version of the original Phantom production back into its perfect home Her Majesty’s Theatre, 35 years after its premiere, is an unexpected thrill”, said Mackintosh. “None of us had any idea The Phantom would be haunting the stage for so long. Although many of our brilliant original creative colleagues including, Hal Prince, Maria Björnson and Gillian Lynne are sadly no longer with us, their work lives on inspiring our new creative team to stage the Phantom afresh, as if it was a brand new production. This time around Her Majesty’s Theatre will take even more of a starring role alongside our brilliant new cast. Andrew and I cannot wait for our opera to begin again, a few weeks before it opens at the Sydney Opera House and ahead of its return to Broadway.”
Most recently seen as The Phantom in the UK tour, Donelly’s previous credits include ‘Jean Valjean’, a role he played to critical acclaim in the sell-out UK and Ireland Tour of Les Misérables, as well as other succesful shows such as Kinky Boots or Memphis. Whittfield, on the other hand, had also joined Phantom‘s UK tour as Raoul (further credits include Summer and Smoke and Jesus Christ Superstar) while St Louis has already been seen in several West End productions like Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Motown and The Book of Mormon. Further cast includes Matt Harrop as Monsieur Firmin, Adam Linstead as Monsieur André, Greg Castiglioni as Ubaldo Piangi, Saori Oda as Carlotta Giudicelli, Francesca Ellis as Madame Giry and Ellie Young as Meg Giry. At certain performances the role of Christine Daaé will be played by Holly-Anne Hull.
“I am thrilled to announce our first entirely new cast for The Phantom of the Opera in London in over 35 years”, said Andrew Lloyd Webber. “This cast includes some wonderful performers with whom I have worked in the past, such as Killian and Rhys as well as the hugely exciting Lucy St Louis in the role of Christine Daaé. Lucy first sang for me in between lockdowns one and two and I was utterly bewitched. I am also very proud to welcome Beatrice Penny-Toure, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Arts Ed scholarship graduate, to the Phantom family in her first professional role.”
The Phantom of the Opera will resume performances on 27 July 2021, following the Goverment’s last update about theatres not being allowed to reopen to full capacity until 21 June at the earliest, . Patrons who purchased tickets prior to that date will be contacted directly by the box office and given priority to exchange their tickets. Bookings, on the other hand, have been extended until 13 February 2022. Further information available on this link.
First Night Magazine 