Phantom Sequel Opens in Three Cities Simultaneously???
Andrew Lloyd Webber has revealed an audacious plan for the launch of his new musical, a sequel to The Phantom of the Opera believed to be titled Phantom: Love Never Dies (See The Goss, 15 Sep 2008). The composer recently announced that he wants to open the show in three cities simultaneously – with London, New York and Shanghai mooted as the possible locations.
A statement on Lloyd Webber’s website reads: “I am delighted to confirm that, following a successful sing-through of the complete score of Love Never Dies … I have decided to greenlight the production. Of course you never can tell how things will turn out, but we are exploring the idea of opening the show in the UK, America and the Far East in the autumn of 2009. This is a very exciting idea but obviously we have to see that it is logistically possible.”
Set ten years after the conclusion of the original story, Love Never Dies tells how the Phantom has escaped to New York with Madame and Meg Giry and found success in Coney Island as a magician and entertainer. When he builds a new opera house, he persuades his old ingenue Christine Daae, now a huge star, to sing for him once more…