World news – Sydney Opera House comes alive with Phantom of Opera

The Sydney Opera House will be shrouded in the magic and mystery of Broadway’s longest-running musical, The Phantom of the Opera, when it opens in September.

The New South Wales government has through its Tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, secured an eight-week season of global sensation for the port city.

The Phantom is played by Australian star Josh Piterman, who played the role in London when the pandemic closed theaters worldwide.

Minister for Labor, Investment, Tourism and West Sydney, Stuart Ayres, said the musical will play an important role in the state’s further path to recreation.

« Musicals and theater productions make an important contribution to the visitor economy in New South Wales. So we’ve worked with Health and the live performance community to get this important sector going again.

“The Phantom of the Opera is a cultural icon and we anticipate the upcoming season at Sydney Opera House will attract more than 10,000 visitors, who stay more than 25,000 nights and spend nearly $ 6.14 million.

« We are delighted to have secured this significant coup for Sydney, which also reinforces our vision to Positioning Sydney and NSW as the main event destination in the Asia-Pacific region, « said Ayres.

Art Minister Don Harwin said it was the first time since 2009 that a professional season of the musical has been staged on an Australian stage.

“The Phantom of the Opera has captivated audiences around the world since it opened in London’s West End in 1986 and on Broadway in 1988. This can be seen in the numerous awards it has received, including four Olivier Awards and seven Tony Awards.

« Whether you are a music theater fanatic or the casual theatergoer, The Phantom of the Opera is a must, and so are we is incredibly excited to welcome visitors to Sydney for its coveted Australian return, « said Harwin.

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and producer Cameron Mackintosh said, » We are very excited to bring this exciting new production to Australia . The show has already proven to be a sensational box office success on national tours in the UK and the US.

« It is a great pleasure for us both that a new production that takes our beloved Phantom in a completely original way has been received as enthusiastically as this brilliant original. « 

Opera Australia, in partnership with The Really Useful Group, will present Cameron Joanintosh’s spectacular new production of The Phantom of the Opera at the Joan Sutherland Theater in the Sydney Opera House from September 2nd to October 29th, 2021.