Last week Opera Australia announced that in association with The Really Useful Group, will present Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, finally making its highly anticipated premiere at the Sydney Opera House.

Marking almost 35 years to the day since it opened in London’s West End, before going on to become one of the most successful musicals of all time, this will be the first time in the show’s history that it will play in the iconic Joan Sutherland Theatre, Australia’s home of opera when it opens this September.

This spectacular new staging by Cameron Mackintosh premiered with a record-breaking sell out tour of the UK followed by a 7-year tour of the United States which grossed over US$400 million and thrilled critics and audiences alike. Australia is now only the third country to see this new PHANTOM with its beloved and thrilling score including the hit songs The Music of the Night, All I Ask of You and Masquerade. With stunning new staging and scenic design, Maria Björnson’s iconic original costumes and many special effects including a spectacular new realisation of the show’s chandelier. It will be performed in Australia by a cast and orchestra of 65, making it one of the largest musical productions ever in Australia.

Opera Australia’s Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini commented, “We are thrilled at Opera Australia to be presenting such an iconic piece of musical theatre at the Sydney Opera House. We are looking forward to working with Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber to present this new production in Australia, creating incredible theatre for audiences to enjoy and opportunities for many arts professionals to return to.”

The NSW Government is proud to support this new production of PHANTOM through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, said, “Musicals and theatre productions are a major contributor to the NSW visitor economy, which is why we have been working with Health and the live performance community to get this important sector back up and thriving.

“THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is a cultural icon and we anticipate that this upcoming season at the Sydney Opera House will attract more than 10,000 visitors who stay more than 25,000 nights and spend close to $6.14 million. We are delighted to have secured this significant coup for Sydney, which also reinforces our vision of positioning Sydney and NSW as the premier events destination of the Asia Pacific.”