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Andrew Lloyd Webber today unveils the long-awaited sequel to his most successful work — and this time The Phantom Of The Opera will be haunting New York.
Love story: The Phantom Of The Opera is Lloyd Webber's most succesful work
The world premiere of Love Never Dies will be at the Adelphi Theatre in London in March, with the scene of its tragic tale moving from Paris's opera house to Coney Island fairground.
Rollercoaster ride: the Phantom's tale continues in Love Never Dies, which is set in Coney Island
Lloyd Webber said: “Coney Island is a fantastic place, the place where all the freaks and oddities went, and of course the Phantom could be absorbed in there. He's now the big mogul of Coney and running the whole place. That's where our story starts.”
Cast and crew: Lloyd Webber and new stars Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess
As has been widely trailed, Iranian-born singer Ramin Karimloo, currently playing the Phantom in London, will take on the role in the new production, with American Sierra Boggess, 27, as the Phantom's great love Christine Daaé.
It is more than 15 years since Lloyd Webber considered a follow-up to a show that has grossed more than £3.1 billion and drawn an audience of 100 million. “It's a very tough act to follow,” he said.
“I think it's maybe more three-dimensional in terms of characterisation than the original piece, which really is a version of Beauty and the Beast with a bit of a twist. This one really does develop the characters and was a very exciting thing for me to write musically. Of course I'm nervous about it but I'm very proud and very much looking forward to seeing it on stage.”
Coney Island started attracting tourists as early as the 1820s and became America's biggest amusement area. The world's first rollercoaster was built there in 1884, and arguably the most famous, the Coney Island Cyclone, opened in 1927.
The venue also boasts the invention of the
hotdog, by Charles Feltman in 1867. By the Fifties it was falling into decline but the venue has become a touchstone in American culture, appearing in movies, books and music.
Author Frederick Forsyth was among the first collaborators to help Lloyd Webber develop the new show. But it was Ben Elton who created a storyline he believed would work. “The story was unlocked by Ben who did a wonderful synopsis which is the reason I'm sitting here,” the composer said.
The Phantom Of The Opera, based on the French novel by Gaston Leroux, originally opened at Her Majesty's Theatre in 1986 with Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford in the lead roles.
It celebrates its 23rd birthday in London tomorrow. Tickets for the sequel go on sale today, with the premiere at the Adelphi in the Strand on 9 March.
On certain days fans will be able to see the entire story with a matinée and evening performance comprising the original followed by its sequel.
Reader views (8)
I for one, am a huge fan of the Phantom of the Opera, and I am intrigued by seeing the sequel. I think it is wholly unfair to judge the sequel without seeing it. For fans who didn't want a sequel and don't like the idea of it... simply don't go and see it, then to you it will be as though it never existed.
- Ms, London UK, 17/11/2009 21:34
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I disagree, L, about the earlier comments being immature. I happen to agree with them. The comments make no assessment of the musical score -- of COURSE that cannot be judged before the show opens. What can be judged, however, is the very concept of the sequel, which I do agree completely undermines the beautiful ending of the original. A big mistake on Lloyd Webber's part to go through with this.
- A Fan Of Phantom, London, 09/10/2009 15:33
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It is I, MusicalLover6, willing to report on what I have just witnessed this afternoon courtesy of 'OFFICIALRUG' on YouTube.
I think this musical is horrible. Firstly on the basis of the original story, and secondly, on behalf of the original writer Gaston Leroux. Lest it be known that he is dead, and has been dead for quite a while.
I think that this 'act' of 'creative licensing' has gone FAR enough. Lest it be that Andrew Lloyd Webber has made a few changes to the original story, but kept the integrity of the original characters. But now, he has the NERVE to send the Phantom to America and pine after Christine even MORE.
A carnival freak show? I doubt Erik would want to torture and begin his life as someone who owns this fairground! Since he perhaps spent most of his life being tortmented as being 'part' of those whom are concidered 'unloved', WHY would he want to own a place with those whom he perhaps took refuge among?
This musical has lyrics that belong on the cutting room floor of a Disney studio. They make us want to PITY the Phantom, even though he has killed... about two innocent people?
For the love of god, there is a reason why a musical doesn't get a sequel. Grease 2 had a sequel, flopped. Annie had a sequel, flopped and went straight to video.
You may glam this production up all you like, but the product is a bonifide flop.
- Musicallover6, USA, 09/10/2009 04:57
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The proof of the pudding is in the eating, as they say. I won't presume to speak for "all fans of the original", but say only that if it is half as good as Phantom, it will still be better than the best of the rest that's available out there. If the critics condemn it before it even comes to the stage then they are a) guessing, b) demonstrating their closed-mindedness, c) ultimately devaluing the worth of their opinions. Indeed, it will be just a lot unfair to judge it against the original - such work seldom comes along. Far more reasonable to compare it to contemporary work, as the original was.
- Rogan, Irving, 09/10/2009 04:35
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I was lucky enough to be at the launch today and was thrilled to be there among so many enthusiastic Phantom fans, who are definitely looking forward to Love Never Dies and to learn how the Phantom rebuilds his life after the devastating loss of his love, Christine. We loved what we saw and heard... the two pieces were beautiful. I spoke to Simon Lee, who conducted the orchestra and he told me the whole score was wonderful. Andrew Lloyd Webber is a fantastically gifted composer and has given us all so much pleasure and enjoyment with his marvellous shows.
I love and adore the Phantom of the Opera and always will... it will be my favourite musical of all time forever, but I would love the Phantom to pull himself out of his melancholy and heartbreak and go forth into the world... and make that world accept him for what he is.
- Jeanette, Kent, UK, 08/10/2009 20:46
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That seems a bit unfair and immature. Many people, myself included are quite dubious about the idea of a sequel but I will not be making my final judgement until I have actually witnessed the show for myself. If Karimloo's performance in today's press conference is anything to go by I think we're in for a treat.
- L, UK, 08/10/2009 18:50
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Rs, a thousand thanks for saying what, frankly, a lot of longtime fans think about this sequel business. I don't know who the press have been talking to when they say fans are looking forward to this. The original has been a fairly big fixture in my life. I've seen it more times than I can remember, and at the age of 12, it inspired me to pursue a career in music, a decision that, 16 years later, I've never regretted. As someone who's loved this show and the original novel for more than half my life, and as someone who knows quite a few fans of the original musical, I can safely say that I know not one person who is looking forward to this mess, particularly when it's mentioned in the same sentence as that terrible and rather disrespectful Frederick Forsyth novel. You're absolutely right in pointing out that a sequel undermines the redemptive ending of the original, and I think that's one of the main things that most fans are angry about.
- Dw, USA, 08/10/2009 14:37
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This a day I hoped would never happen. Contrary to some press reports, the majority of PHANTOM fans are NOT looking forward to this travesty. The very idea of a sequel to this story undermines the beautiful redemptive ending of the original, and furthermore is redundant anyway (either The Phantom gets the girl or he doesn't -- in the case of the former, it would appear that murder and deception are the best way to win a girl's heart, while in the case of the latter, we've already had that story).
It's a shame Lloyd Webber decided to waste his talents on a ridiculous project like this. Forsyth's novel was beyond abysmal and the story of this sequel leaves one with very little hope. What a mess.
- Rs, London, UK, 08/10/2009 11:54
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