The Phantom has arrived in Joburg

Last edited: January 25, 2012

Posted by Business and Arts South Africa

The world’s greatest love story has arrived in Joburg - the first performance is on 31 January at the Teatro at Montecasino.

Broadway’s longest running musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, has celebrated a sell-out season in Cape Town, and now will make its long awaited arrival in Johannesburg playing at the Teatro at Montecasino from 31 January 2012.

Pieter Toerien, who presents Phantom of the Opera in South Africa in association with The Really Useful Group, had to extend the Artscape run in order to meet the massive demand for tickets. The show played to 100% capacity during its highly acclaimed three month season in the Mother City, with audiences showing their appreciation with nightly standing ovations and rapturous applause.

Having played to more than 100 million people in 149 cities around the world, this full- scale production directed by Harold Prince is arguably the most popular musical of all time. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sweepingly romantic score includes “Music of the Night” and “All I Ask of You”, and is performed by a stellar South African cast.

The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a disfigured musical genius known only as ‘The Phantom’ who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House. Mesmerised by the talents and beauty of a young soprano - Christine, the Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine’s love for Raoul, The Phantom’s obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness and passions collide.

Jonathan Roxmouth, who took over from André Schwartz in Cape Town, will continue as the Phantom, supported by a stellar cast that includes Anthony Downing (Raoul), Robin Botha and Magdalene Minnaar (Christine), James Borthwick (Monsieur Firmin), Jason Ralph (Monsieur Andre), Pauline du Plessis and Hanlee Louw (Carlotta), Angela Kilian (Madame Giry) and Thabiso Masemene (Piangi).

The international creative team includes Arthur Masella, Associate Director; Rainer Fried, Assistant Director; Guy Simpson, Musical Supervisor; Patti Merrin, Associate Choreographer and Jee Jee Noh, Assistant Choreographer. For the SA production, Anton Luitingh is the Resident Director and Louis Zurnamer the Musical Director.

The Phantom of the Opera celebrated its 25th anniversary in London last year with a series of sell-out concert performances at the Royal Albert Hall that were broadcast around the world.

Worldwide, The Phantom of the Opera has grossed over 3.2 billion pounds. The box office revenues are higher than any film or stage play in history, including “Titanic”, “ET”, “Star Wars” and “Avatar”. It has been seen in 145 cities in 27 countries and played to over 130 million people.

Johannesburg audiences will now get their chance to experience the Phantom magic from 31 January at the Teatro at Montecasino.

“Let the Dream begin, let your darker side give in to the power of the music that I write – the power of the music of the night” …

Pieter Toerien and The Really Useful Group present Andrew Lloyd Webber’s
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Directed By Harold Prince
The Original Production by Cameron Mackintosh and the Really Useful Group

Sponsored By TELKOM

The Teatro at Montecasino: 31 January – 22 April
Performances: Tuesday – Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 3pm and 8pm, Sunday at 1:30pm and 6:30pm
All bookings at www.computicket.com - 011 340 8000