Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera has opened to a full house at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, launching the iconic show’s global 40th anniversary celebrations in spectacular style.
The 5-star production has opened as the most successful Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour season on record with over 70,000 tickets already sold, more than any other season before, to the strictly limited run at Mrs Macquaries Point until 3 May.
An electric Opening Night crowd brought full glamour to the ‘Masquerade’ themed Red Carpet, taking in their first glimpses of the epic set on Sydney Harbour as they arrived, buzzing with anticipation before the performance began.
Stepping into one of musical theatre’s most iconic roles, The Phantom, was 22-year-old newcomer Jake Lyle. The young baritone grew up in Gladstone Queensland and recently graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium, before being ‘discovered’ as a promising young Australian talent to take on the titular role.
Celebrated Australian soprano Amy Manford reprised her internationally acclaimed portrayal of Christine Daaé, for the fourth time and her first outdoors, beautifully complemented by proud Wiradjuri man and rising Australian musical theatre star, Jarrod Draper, who made his role debut as Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny.
Musical Supervisor Guy Simpson led the orchestra through Phantom’s immediately recognisable score, including the hauntingly beautiful ‘Music of the Night’ and the splendid ensemble number ‘Masquerade’.
Reunited for the production was original creative dream-team Director Simon Phillips, Set and Costume Designer Gabriela Tylesova, Choreographer and Associate Director Simone Sault, Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper and Sound Designer Shelly Lee.
Set against one of the world’s most jaw‑dropping theatrical backdrops, their combined vision lifted this musical masterpiece to thrilling new heights.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is supported by the NSW Government, via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, and through the International Foundation for Arts and Culture as Naming Rights Partner, Dr Haruhisa Handa OA’s Patron in Chief, and OA’s Principal Partner HSBC.
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