A quick guide to the spectacular London show
Are romance, suspense and great musicals at the top of your list of favourite entertainment? Well, then you are in luck. For the past 34 years, The Phantom of the Opera has continued to astonish its audience with a lovely but scary narrative at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London.
Produced as a French novel, it has transitioned to a silent movie to a Broadway musical and today the Phantom still carries its story of love and horror to this day.
The history behind the Phantom
French author Gaston Leroux was originally a law student, and can never have imagined that his story of the Phantom would inspire one of the famous productions of all time.
After dropping out from the legal profession, Leroux turned to journalism, where he combined his knowledge of the law with his writing skills. This smart move guaranteed him immediate success.
Leroux had a penchant for mystery novels and was inspired by the work of authors such as Victor Hugo, Edgar Allan Poe, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. After a few of his stories were published, he decided to quit his career as a journalist and become a novelist.
In 1896, there was an accident with a chandelier at the Paris Opera House, and this episode, and rumours about a skeleton that surfaced in a production in the 19th century influenced him to write The Phantom of the Opera, originally published as a newspaper serial in 1911.
What’s the story of The Phantom of the Opera?
The story takes place at the “haunted” Paris Opera House. Christine Daaé, an aspiring opera singer, becomes an obsession of the disfigured and murderous musician Erik Claudin, the “phantom” who lives beneath the theatre.
While serving as her musical tutor, Erik haunts the opera house and becomes jealous of Viscount Raoul de Chagny, Christine’s childhood crush. When she denies her love for him, the phantom starts a terrifying revenge, kidnapping the opera singer.
Without spoiling the finale, The Phantom of the Opera has a bitter-sweet narrative that praises the feelings of love, forgiveness, and complicity.
Why should I see it?
Andrew Lloyd Webber, a popular composer, created the musical show inspired by Leroux masterpiece, with lyrics composed by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe.
Since its debut in London’s West End in 1986, The Phantom of the Opera has been the longest running show, surpassing the Broadway show Cats. Over 140 million people have seen the show in 35 countries, and it’s the most lucrative theatrical work ever, with an estimated gross of $6 billion.
The Phantom of the Opera has received critical recognition and multiple awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical of 1988.
Combined with all these acclaimed aspects, an evening out to Her Majesty’s Theatre to see one of the most praised entertainment pieces of all times, is an excellent opportunity to treat yourself. Hire a team of experts to glam you up to enjoy a glamorous night.
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