The Phantom of the Opera to return with a ‘new physical production of the original design’

The Phantom of the Opera in London’s West End WILL return, it has been announced.

It was previously revealed the production was closed until at least 2021 due to the ongoing theatre shutdown and renovations to Her Majesty’s Theatre.

Earlier this week there had been fears the show was to close permanently following comments by producer Cameron Mackintosh in the London Evening Standard.

It has now been clarified that Phantom will reopen in London with a “brand new physical production”.

A statement to What’s On Stage revealed: “When Andrew and Cameron re-launch Phantom in London it will be with a brand new physical production of Maria Bjornson’s original design, in a refurbished theatre. LWT have just taken a 50 year lease extension on Her Majesty’s and will do everything in their power to re-launch, better than ever, once the work is completed.

“We wish that we could put a date on it – but at this stage there are just too many variables. In summary, we can’t tell you exactly when the Phantom will be back but we can tell you that he will be back.”

It was previously announced that The Phantom of the Opera would experience an “extended closure” for repairs to both the set and the theatre itself.

A statement read: “Cameron Mackintosh and the Really Useful Group have over the last few months of the London run and since the enforced closure of The Phantom of the Opera due to [the pandemic] undertaken a number of specialist inspections to see how much repair and maintenance work is needed to be done to the physical production and the Theatre.

“The conclusion is that unfortunately, the work is so considerable, a period of extended closure is urgently needed.

“The set of this, the original production, is now over 34 years old and unsurprisingly many of the scenic elements are coming to the end of their natural life which was never envisaged to be as long as this when first built.

“LW Theatres, operator of Her Majesty’s Theatre, also need to attend to a number of remedial works on this historic building that for the last four decades has only been able to undertake decorative work.”

Playing in the West End since 1986, The Phantom Of The Opera is based on the French novel of the same name by Gaston Leroux.

It tells the story of soprano singer Christine Daaé who becomes the obsession of a masked musical genius who resides beneath a Paris opera house.