In 1986, Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman opened ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ in the West End; 40 years later, it’s just been extended until October 2027

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Corey Fuller

 ·  13 November, 2026

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Forty years ago, Michael Crawford swept onto the stage of Her Majesty’s Theatre in a white half-mask, Sarah Brightman hit that high note, and London fell head over heels for The Phantom of the Opera.

Four decades on, the chandelier is still crashing on Haymarket, and the show has just been extended until October 2027.

The West End favourite announced the extension last week, along with a batch of new cast members.

That means another full year of masquerades, underground lairs and that unmistakable organ riff.

A 40th birthday to remember

The Phantom of the Opera opened at what is now His Majesty’s Theatre on 9 October 1986, and it has never left.

To mark the big four-oh, the show held a special anniversary performance on 9 October this year, and the original Phantom and Christine, Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, joined the current company on stage for the curtain call.

Since then, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical has played to audiences in 229 cities across 54 territories, been performed in 23 languages and picked up more than 70 major awards, including two Oliviers for the original London production.

Catch the anniversary cast before 21 November

To celebrate the milestone, the show brought in a special 40th anniversary cast, and some of them are only around for a few more weeks.

According to London Theatre, these stars take their final bows on Saturday 21 November:

• Sierra Boggess as Carlotta. The Broadway favourite starred in Phantom’s 25th anniversary production at the Royal Albert Hall
• Rhys Whitfield as Raoul
• Joseph Millson as Monsieur André
• Joanna Riding as Madame Giry

Don’t worry if you miss them, though.

Jordan Donica continues as the Phantom until spring 2027, and Beatrice Penny-Touré stays on as Christine until July.

From 23 November, Kimberly Blake takes over as Carlotta, Kate Graham as Madame Giry and Luke Kempner as Monsieur André, while Ashley Gilmour returns as Raoul.

How to get tickets

The Phantom of the Opera plays at His Majesty’s Theatre on Haymarket, just a few minutes’ walk from Piccadilly Circus.

The show runs for around two and a half hours, including an interval, and is recommended for ages 8 and up!

🎟️ Tickets start from £30.25 and are available here!