Luke Leitch
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His hideous face obscured by that iconic white mask, the Phantom of the Opera has stalked the stage before 80million theatregoers in 124 cities around the world - and spirited away more than $5billion (£3.5billion) at the box office.
Now, 22 years after Michael Crawford first played the Phantom, the show's composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, has told The Times that “the button is pushed” on the sequel to the world's most lucrative musical.
Entitled Phantom: Love Never Dies it will receive its premiere at the end of next year and will make theatrical history if, as Lloyd Webber intends, it opens in London, Broadway and an Asian city, possibly Shanghai, at the same time. He said: “I don't think you could do this if it wasn't the sequel to Phantom ... We've been into the feasibility of rehearsing three companies at once and opening very fast in the three territories. The one which really interests me [in the Far East] would be China ... I think to open Love Never Dies in Shanghai would be an enormous thing.”
The sequel will be set a decade or so after the first instalment, during which time the Phantom has relocated from the Paris Opéra of Gaston Leroux's original novel to Coney Island in Brooklyn, then still a hugely popular beach-side amusement resort for New Yorkers. “It was the place,” said Lloyd Webber. “Even Freud went because it was so extraordinary ... people who were freaks and oddities were drawn towards it because it was a place where they could be themselves.”
The Phantom will be reunited with Christine, the “Swedish soprano”, first played by Lloyd Webber's wife at the time, Sarah Brightman. The production has yet to be cast but he said: “We are pretty clear who our Phantom is going to be - I can't say who.”
Possible candidates include Gerard Butler, who played the part in Joel Schumacher's 2004 film adaption, and Hugh Jackman, the star of Baz Luhrmann's film Australia, whose stage CV includes Sunset Boulevard, Oklahoma! and The Boy from Oz, for which he won Best Actor in a musical Tony Award. Jack O'Brien, who has had successes with The Full Monty and Hairspray, will direct the production. The sets will be designed by Bob Crowley, who has won five Tony awards and whose credits include Sir Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins.
Lloyd Webber, 60, is writing the United Kingdom's 2009 Eurovision Song Contest entry. On a new BBC One programme, starting on Saturday, he is helping to choose the country's singer at the final, which takes place in Moscow in May. He has played impresario on three previous BBC series dedicated to casting starring roles in West End musicals, and in 2010 will collaborate with the BBC once again to cast Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.
He said: “The TV casting shows increase the [theatre] audience - not just West End audience but around the country - year on year 20 per cent ... I can't be snobby about it, I think its absolutely great. And the West End audience has gone down in age.”
He added: “What everyone has got to understand about theatre is that it will never die because it is live entertainment. Whatever happens with the net, computers or television, the endgame will always be that people want to go out.”
The Stage newspaper this month voted Lloyd Webber, who in 1997 was enobled as Lord Lloyd-Webber, as the most powerful figure in British theatre of the past decade.
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I think a sequel would be wonderful. My choice for the Phantom would be Gerry Butler. Having the setting moved to Coney Island, New York may or maynot be a good thing, but I trust Lloyd Webber to fill out hearts and minds with more beautiful music of the night.
EE Carson, Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA
i completely agree with what sabrina said. and not only that: the story of the sequel is horrible...
Lisa, Wuppertal, Germany
I have been in love with PotO for a few years now, but I think a sequel is highly unnecessary. Not because a lot of sequels are bad in the first place, but mainly because the Phantom of the Opera is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL story, and I think a sequel would just diminish the magic of it.
Sabrina E., Ontario, Canada
i loved the london show the ending was a lot better then the film version a lot more moveing i think his lordship may shot him self in the foot . i always thought sir andrew was the phantom of the opera.hes given us some great shows and some wounderfull songs but is this one a risk to far
mark, london, uk
I LOVE the Phantom of The Opera, its my favorite play and favorite movie (2004) I am really excited to see more of the phantom!! Ok, i just have one question... what is it going to be about? My friend has told me that its going to be about Raoul and Christine's marriage... is this true???
Kayla Naill, Hemet, United States
i have seen phantom over 10 times in the west end and in florida, its magical. i cant wait for the next part of the story, andrew lloyd webber is god.
jeanne sinclair, norwich, uk
I also hope that Gerard Butler will be the phantom again.
He played it with a lot of emotions!!
And I'm also excited how the story will continues...
I just want to see it!
Maxime Trienpont, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
I'm so wexictied about the new Phantom sequel! If they ever make a movie of it, I hope that Gerald Bulter and Emmy Rossum along with the rest of the cast joins them in it!
I recently found out about it today, February 5th! I can't wait to let my friends know about it!
Lindsey Arsenault, Farmington, United States
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy there is going to be a sequel! I love the movie so much! It's my favorite movie of all time and i know every song, sound there is. I can repeat the whole movie. I would love to see Gerard Butler and the rest of the movie cast on broadway. They were fanstatic!!!!
Anaira, Huntsville, U.S.A
I am extremely excited to see the Phantom sequel! I think Gerard Butler would be excellent on Broadway. Butler's performance in the movie was absolutely stunning.
However, Andrew Lloyd Webber is a master and whoever he chooses will be fantastic and the play will be spectacular!
Erica, Danville, United States
Though it doesn't need a sequel, I'm still excited, especially if the story is similar to the novel The Phantom of Manhattan. I know the author discussed it with Webber and that it 's a sequel that occurs on Coney Island. I love that story and I hope Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum are cast. :)
Bethany, Detroit, USA
I would love to see Michael Crawford back on stage for Erik's comeback! And I can live with Gerard Butler and the other cast members of the movie to reprise their roles on screen.
But if it ever makes it to the shores of Australia, There can only be one Phantom and that is Mr Anthony Warlow.
Anne-Marie Rayward, Albion, Australia
I would love Mr Michael Crawford to reprise this role on stage, and I don't mind Gerard Butler and the other cast members of the movie to reprise their roles.
However, if we are ever lucky enough to see it in Australia. There can only be one Phantom- Mr Anthony Warlow. He is such an amazing talent!
Anne-Marie Rayward, Albion, Australia
Coney Island in Brooklyn? What? thats an odd choice for location. Why not the Grand Canyon?
Geoff Barone, New York,NY, USA
Either Michael Crawford OR Gerald Butler as Eric THE PHANTON in the sequel.They BOTH were good.
Hugh Jackman? Maybe-'EY Why CAN'T The Phantom be portrayed by PEOPLE'S SEXIEST MAN OF THE YEAR?
One of those three men-And Emmy Rossom OR Sarah Brightman as Christine. Loved them both as her.
Vicki Boston, Tucson,ARIZONA, USA
I would love to see a sequel however prefer the big screen to live and hope they recast Gerard for the movie version. I also love Miranda Richards and hope she will be back also. Andrew is a genius I believe he knows what he is doing. Keep it sexy eh Joel?
**May**
Deborah, Quebec, Canada
I think the original is the most wonderful production I have ever seen, I am worried about seeing the second. I think it sould be remebered and seen for the iconic musical it is, not the disaster it could become.
Melanie, Norwich, England
He should have Gerry do it again. :)
Michaela, Las Vegas,
Please don't torture us with another. The first one was bad enough.
Stuart, Sydney, Australia
The original show neither needs nor should have a sequel. It ends perfectly, leaving audiences to imagine what might happen next.
Apparently Andrew Lloyd Webber needs a sequel.
Sally, Aurora, USA
Rhydian is much more likely to get the role in Britain. He has the voice, the image, the wow factor and quite frankly, as Webber himself has said, he was born to play it
Keith Price, Luton, UK