Phantom closed for three days
Story by Lizzie Guilfoyle
THE WEST End’s second longest running musical, The Phantom of the Opera, has closed for three days – from Monday, May 5 to Wednesday, May 7, 2008 – with the loss of four performances (including the Tuesday matinee).
This is to allow for the installation of a new digital sound system at Her Majesty’s Theatre. As Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber explained:
“The most recent productions of The Phantom of the Opera around the world from Vegas to China have the most fantastic sound systems. It is wonderful that the flagship London production will now have the newest and best of them all to get the best out of our huge cast and the largest orchestra in the West End.”
And the show’s producer, Cameron Mackintosh added:
“Phantom had ground-breaking sound when it opened in 1986, and Andrew and I have wanted for some time to give our sound system a complete update so that our audiences could enjoy the most exciting theatrical sound in London.”
The show’s continuing success has made work impossible. However, Mackintosh made the decision to invest around £400,000 in the state-of-the-art system before the new booking period went on sale, thereby preventing disruption to bookings.
The new system, designed by Mick Potter, will double the number of microphones used in the show, with the Phantom himself using three. There will also be more than ten kilometres of cable, 120 speakers placed throughout the auditorium and a digital sound desk.
The current cast of The Phantom of the Opera, which celebrates its 9000th performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre on May 31, includes Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom, and Robyn North and Leila Benn Harris who alternate in the role of Christine. The production is directed by Harold Prince and produced by Cameron Mackintosh and the Really Useful Group.
The Phantom of the Opera is currently booking until April 2009.