World’s Greatest Musical comes to Adelaide & Elizabeth July 4 to 27
Matt Byrne Media will present the SA Amateur Premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s greatest musical success The Phantom of the Opera this July.
The world’s greatest musical which features iconic songs like Music Of The Night and All I Ask Of You will play the Arts Theatre from July 4-13 and Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 18-27,
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s greatest composition features lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, who co-wrote the book with Lloyd Webber. The story – based on Gaston Leroux’s novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra – revolves around a beautiful young soprano, Christine Daaé, who becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius.
Producer/Director Matt Byrne says staging Phantom is “undoubtedly the greatest challenge my company has ever faced.”
“It is a superbly written, drama-charged evening of romance, murder and mystery that puts a noose around your heart and takes you into the darker reaches of a haunted Paris Opera House and the human heart,” Byrne says.
“Phantom is Lloyd Webber’s finest creation and has won the hearts of audiences around the globe for 27 incredible years, it is theatrical gold.”
Rodney Hrvatin will be Musical Director and Sue Pole is Choreographer with Kerreane Sarti as Ballet Choreographer, and Byrne is delighted with the cast they have assembled for Phantom.
“In the title role, Michael Bates has a voice and presence to die for, and he is destined for a major career on the musical stage,” he says. “He is matched by another extraordinary new talent in Ellonye Keniry as Christine, who has trained in Adelaide at AC Arts and worked in London.
“We have the rising talent of Will Daniels as Raoul, the always amazing David Gauci as Piangi, the pocket powerhouse Dione Baker as Carlotta, with James McCluskey-Garcia and Michael Williams as the opportunistic new theatre managers Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre.
“Cathie Oldfield will play ballet mistress Madame Giry with another exciting new face, Amber Skye Ashley Platten as the Phantom touchstone, Meg Giry.”
Phantom opened in London’s West End in 1986, and on Broadway in 1988. It won the 1986 Olivier Award and the 1988 Tony Award for Best Musical, and Michael Crawford won the Olivier and Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical. It is the longest running show in Broadway history by a wide margin, and celebrated its 10,000th Broadway performance on 11 February 2012, the first production ever to do so. It is the second longest-running West End musical, and the third longest-running West End show overall.
The Phantom of the Opera will run at the Arts Theatre from July 4 to 6 and 9 to 13 at 8 p.m. and July 6 and 13 at 2 p.m., and Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 18 to 20 and 25 to 27 at 8 p.m. and July 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. There will be $31 Budget Nights on July 9 at the Arts and July 25 at the Shedley at 8 p.m.
Admission is Adults $41 and Concession $36 (Including MBM Booking Fee) with Group Discounts of $39/$33 for Groups of 10 or more. Seating is Reserved. Bookings are available online at www.mattbyrnemedia.com.au or 8262 4906, Bass on 131 246 or VenueTix on 8225 8888.
