Overview
Before donning a face covering became a regular part of life for everyone during the pandemic, one of the most famous mask-wearing figures in popular culture was doing it first. And, the fictional character will be doing so again in Australia — in Sydney from August next year, and then in Melbourne from October.
The Phantom of the Opera was actually set to head to Sydney from September this year, and then to Melbourne from November; however, the famed musical's 2021 dates were postponed due to lockdowns in both cities. Now, the production's schedule for next year has been confirmed, so get ready for the music of the night to croon its way into both cities.
Kicking off at the Sydney Opera House from Friday, August 19 and then heading to the State Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne from Sunday, October 30, 2022, these new seasons of the acclaimed Tony-winner will arrive in Down Under after breaking records in the UK — and touring the US for seven years. Australia will become just the third country to witness this take on the tale, in fact.
Obviously, all of the familiar songs are part of it, such as 'All I Ask of You', 'Masquerade' and the titular number. You'll also be lapping up Maria Björnson's original costumes, too. But, if you've seen the show before, expect the chandelier to look a little different.
Australian musical theatre performer Josh Piterman is set to play the Phantom, after first wearing the character's mask in London pre-pandemic. He'll be joined by Amy Manford and Blake Bowden as Christine and Raoul, as part of a cast and orchestra of 65 people — which'll make The Phantom of the Opera one of the largest musical productions in Australia.
If you need a refresher on the musical's story, it follows soprano Christine Daaé and the masked musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opera House — and the latter's obsession with the former. Although first turned into a stage musical in the 80s, it's based on Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel. And yes, you might've seen the 2004 movie, which starred Gerard Butler as the Phantom.
Opera Australia is also putting on a run of The Phantom of the Opera earlier in 2022, in March in Sydney, as part of its annual Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour event.
The Phantom of the Opera will tour Australia in 2022, starting at the Sydney Opera House from Friday, August 19 and then heading to the State Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne from Sunday, October 30, 2022. For further information and to buy tickets, head to the musical's website.
Images: Michael Le Poer Trench.