Phantom London casting news

Major cast changes will take place in the smash hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA from Monday 6 September. Scott Davies will star as ‘The Phantom’, Sofia Escobar as ‘Christine’, Will Barratt as ‘Raoul’, Wendy Ferguson as ‘Carlotta’, Cheryl McAvoy as ’Madame Giry’ and Anna Forbes as ‘Meg Giry’.

John Owen-Jones will takeover the role of ‘The Phantom’ on Monday 1 November.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA continues to star Tabitha Webb as ‘Christine’ at certain performances, Barry James as ‘Monsieur Firmin’, Gareth Snook as ‘Monsieur André’ and Rohan Tickell as ‘Piangi’.

Scott Davies has a long association with The Phantom of the Opera, playing ‘The Phantom’ both on tour and in the West End, His other theatre credits include “Cats”, “Carousel” and “Pacific Overtures”. His opera credits include “Carmen” and “Rigoletto” for English National Opera. Sofia Escobar started her professional career with The Phantom of the Opera understudying the role of ‘Christine’. Most recently she appeared as ‘Maria’ in the award-winning production of West Side Story at Sadler’s Wells and on tour throughout the World and in the UK. For her performance she was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical and won the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers’ Choice Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Will Barratt’s West End theatre credits include ‘Mr Snow’ in Carousel at the Savoy, ‘Enjolras’ in Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre and ‘Lead Tenor’ in The Producers at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Wendy Ferguson previously played the part of ‘Carlotta’ in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre between 2005 – 2008 and most recently played ‘Widow Corney’ in Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Cheryl McAvoy has appeared in the West End productions of The Secret Garden and Starlight Express as well as Kathy Seldon in Singin’ in the Rain at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and on tour. Her other theatre credits include the UK tour of The Full Monty. Anna Forbes is making her West End debut as ‘Meg Giry’. She has previously danced with English National Ballet and Ballet Ireland.

John Owen-Jones is currently playing ‘Jean Valjean’ in the 25th Anniversary production of Les Misérables where he has received rave reviews. John has also played the role of ‘Jean Valjean’ in the West End and on Broadway. No stranger to The Phantom of the Opera, John holds the title of the longest running ‘Phantom’ in the show’s West End history with over 1400 performances in four years. His other theatre credits include Sweeney Todd and Carousel at the Royal Festival Hall.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA became the longest running show in Broadway history on 9 January 2006 when it celebrated its 7,486th performance, surpassing the previous record holder Cats. This coincided with the Broadway and the US national touring company celebrating an unprecedented 20,000 performances in the United States. In October this year the London production will celebrate its 10,000th performance.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has won over 50 major theatre awards, including seven Tonys on Broadway and three Olivier Awards in the West End. It won the ‘Most Popular Musical Audience Award’, voted by the public, in the 2002 Laurence Olivier Awards. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, which opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre on 9 October 1986 starring Michael Crawford as ‘The Phantom’, Sarah Brightman as ‘Christine’ and Steve Barton as ‘Raoul’, is directed by Harold Prince and is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group Limited.

Worldwide, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has grossed over £1.7 billion. The box office revenues are higher than any film or stage play in history, including Titanic, ET and Star Wars. It has been seen in 145 cities in 27 countries and played to over 100 million people. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is currently showing in London, New York, Budapest, Las Vegas, Seoul and Nagoya. A touring production is playing at venues throughout the US.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is currently booking until October 2011. Performance times for the London production are Mondays to Saturdays at 7.30pm, with Tuesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets are priced from £20.00-£62.50 and are available from Her Majesty’s Theatre box office on 0844 412 2707 or click here.