There will be a number of key cast changes in the smash hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” at Her Majesty’s Theatre in the West End.
From Monday 1 September 2014, Liam Tamne will star as ‘Raoul’, and making their West End debuts: John Ellis as ‘Piangi’ and Alicia Beck as ‘Meg. “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” will continue to star Gerónimo Rauch as ‘The Phantom’ and Harriet Jones as ‘Christine’. Also from Monday 1 September, Emmi Christensson, will alternate the role of ‘Christine’.
Continuing their roles are: Andy Hockley as ‘Monsieur Firmin’; Martin Ball as ‘Monsieur Andre’; Lara Martins as ‘Carlotta’ and Jacinta Mulcahy as ‘Madame Giry’.
Liam Tamne is probably best known from the second series of BBC 1’s ‘The Voice’. His previous theatre credits include ‘Enjolras’ in “Les Miserables” (Queen’s Theatre); “Hair” (Gielgud Theatre); “Hairspray” (Shaftesbury Theatre) and “Wicked” (Apollo Victoria Theatre).
John Ellis comes to the production having most recently performed the role of ‘Piangi’ in the German production "Das Phantom Der Oper”. This role marks his West End debut. Previous theatre credits include: ‘Old Deuteronomy’ in “Cats” (World Tour); ‘Simon’ and ‘Judas’ in Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Tour) and in his native Australia: “The Wizard of Oz”; “Summer Rain”; “Assassins” and “Passion.”
Alicia Beck is making her West End debut as ‘Meg’. After training with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, Alicia danced with Ballet Dortmund, Ballet Nice Mediterenee and The Zurich Ballet. Most recently she has played the role of ‘White Cat’ in the UK and European Tour of “Cats.”
Emmi Christensson is making her West End debut as ‘Christine’. Most recently she performed the role of ‘Cosette’ in “Les Miserables” in Norway, a role she also performed at Malmo Opera, Sweden. Previous theatre credits include: ‘Maria’ in “West Side Story” (Nojesteatern); “Sound of Music” (Gota Lejon and tour of Sweden) and ‘Wendy’ in “Peter Pan” (Rival).
From 1 September 2014 the full cast will be: Zoe Arshamian; Martin Ball; Emma Barr; Alicia Beck; Kieran Brown; Emmi Christensson; Joseph Claus; Scott Davies; Hadrian Delacey; Meshell Dillon; John Ellis; Fiona Finsbury; David Francis; Lyndsey Gardiner; Ryan Goscinski; Philip Griffiths; Layla Harrison; Andy Hockley; Elizabeth Holmes; Daisy Hulbert; Ellen Jackson; Harriet Jones; Tim Laurenti; Lara Martins; Leo Miles; Tim Morgan; Fiona Morley; Jacinta Mulcahy; Richard Munday; Ryan O’Gorman; Joanna O’Hare; Simon Rackley; Gerónimo Rauch; Shena Sanders; Oliver Savile; Danielle Stephens; Liam Tamne; Claire Tilling; Georgina Ware and Lisa-Anne Wood.
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. On 26 January 2013 the Broadway production celebrated an amazing 25 years on Broadway. In October 2011 the London production celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a spectacular staging of “The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall” which was screened live in cinemas all over the world and subsequently released on DVD and in March 2013 the show celebrated 11,000 performances in the West End.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has won 70 major theatre awards, including seven Tony’s 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 starred Michael Crawford as 'The Phantom' and Sarah Brightman as 'Christine.' It is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre Company Limited.
Worldwide, it is estimated that THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has been seen by more than 130 million people, and the total worldwide gross is now in excess of $6 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 152 cities in 30 countries and played to over 130 million people. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is currently showing in London, New York, Hamburg, Budapest, Sapporo and on tour in the US. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will open in Taiwan in September.
Performance times for "THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" are Mondays to Saturdays at 7.30pm, with Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets are priced from £21 - £67.50 and are available from Her Majesty’s Theatre box office on 0844 412 2707 or visit “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” website www.thephantomoftheopera.com.
