The Phantom of the Opera Opens in London

Setting the scene

Andrew Lloyd Webber sought a romantic successor to Cats; he adapted Gaston Leroux's Paris Opera ghost story with lyricists Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, staging opulent chandelier stunts in Her Majesty's Theatre.

What happened

Phantom opened in London's West End on October 9, 1986, starring Michael Crawford as the Phantom and Sarah Brightman as Christine, with the mask reveal and boat ride into the lair stunning first-night audiences.

Why it still matters

It became one of the longest-running shows ever, crossing to Broadway in 1988 and touring for decades; the Phantom's organ motif and masquerade ball remain templates for blockbuster musical spectacle before Hamilton's rap pivot.

Background

It became one of the longest-running shows ever.