This Friday, Phantom Of The Opera celebrates a landmark at His Majesty’s Theatre, where the show has now been running for 40 years.
The incredible achievement further secures Phantom as the third-longest running show in West End history, behind only Les Misérables (which celebrated its 40th birthday last year) and The Mousetrap, which is currently in its 75th year.
Unlike these two, Phantom Of The Opera holds the distinction of being the longest-running musical to stay in one theatre. In fact, it’s been there so long that the theatre has changed name – being called Her Majesty’s Theatre when the show opened on 9 October, 1986.
What is Phantom of the Opera about?
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical is based on a French gothic novel from 1910 by Gaston Leroux.
The show is set in late 19th century Paris. After a prima donna opera singer is nearly injured in a stage accident, rumours swell that the Paris Opéra House is haunted by a mysterious phantom. In need of a new leading lady, the managers audition a chorus girl, Christine, who impresses them so much they immediately promote her to the principle role.
Christine also impresses the Opéra’s new patron, Raoul, but backstage she confesses to her friend that her singing talent has been inspired by an mysterious tutor, who she only knows as the Angel of Music…
Why should I see Phantom Of The Opera?
With over 15,000 performances to its name in the West End, this musical has been delighting audiences for decades. It’s a powerful and complex love story, backed by one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most popular scores, including hits like Music of the Night, Masquerade, All I Ask of You and, of course, the title track.
Along with the memorable music, fans love Phantom for its visual presentation. Set inside an opera house, it has a wide array of romantic 19th century period costumes and outlandish opera costumes and sets. Perhaps most famously of all, the second act opens with Masquerade, a huge dance number featuring the cast in a Italian-style masquerades dancing down an an ornate staircase.
How can I see Phantom Of The Opera?
Phantom Of The Opera is currently booking until October 2027 so you can book now at Official London Theatre.
If you want to see Phantom Of The Opera as a present, you could ask someone to buy you a Theatre Token gift card or you can get your friends and family to band together and group gift you a Theatre Token e-gift so you can enjoy the best seat in the house.
Performances over the years
As a long-standing institution of the West End, Phantom Of The Opera performs every year at West End LIVE, Official London Theatre’s weekend-long free musical festival. Head over to our YouTube channel and search to find all their performances, including 2026’s performance that celebrated the upcoming 40th birthday by featuring four different Christines.
Phantom Of The Opera has also been a regular feature of the Olivier Awards. This year, ahead of their 40th birthday, the musical opened the show with an incredible live show that started on the steps outside the Royal Albert Hall and featured a cameo by Andrew Lloyd Webber himself on the Voice of Jupiter, the Royal Albert Hall’s grand organ. You can watch this performance in full on iPlayer.
The shwo won the Audience Award in 2016, when they performed a special medley at the outdoor Covent Garden piazza stage.
But digging even further back, the show celebrated its 25th anniversary with a performance at the 2011 Olivier Awards at the Royal Opera House. This performance sees Christine played by Sierra Boggess, who is returning to the show as Carlotta, for a special limited run in the 40th anniversary cast until November.
What are you waiting for?
If you’re still reading this, then what are you waiting for? Don’t wait another 40 years, book now and be entranced by the Phantom Of The Opera.
