Elton & Lloyd-Webber Work on Phantom Sequel???

According to The Stage, Ben Elton and Andrew Lloyd-Webber are collaborating on a sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. Elton, who worked with Lloyd Webber on his show The Beautiful Game in 2000, is best known in the West End for penning the book of the hit show We Will Rock You, which he is also rumoured to be writing a sequel for (See Gossip 31 January 2008).

Lyricist Glen Slater, best known for his work on The Little Mermaid will also be working on the project, and Hairspray director Jack O’Brien is apparently lined up to take the helm.

The financial incentives for a sequel are clear – the original Phantom of the Opera is the most successful stage musical of all time, with global ticket sales exceeding $3.2 billion.

Could this be the start of a new, Hollywood-style love affair with sequels in the West End?