It’s Official: Phantom Sequel Titled Love Never Dies???

The 15,000 musical fans who attended last night’s BBC concert in Hyde Park celebrating the 60th birthday of Andrew Lloyd Webber were treated to more than a star-studded line-up (including John Barrowman, Elaine Paige, Lee Mead, Jason Donovan, Idina Menzel and Maria Friedman), a reunion of myriad would-be Marias, Josephs and Nancys, countless classic show tunes and a full-throttle fireworks display (See News, 15 Aug 2008).

When the composer himself took to the stage to thank the audience and the BBC during the finale, he also had some exclusive news to share: he has settled on the official title for his highly anticipated follow-up to The Phantom of the Opera blockbuster and it is … drumroll, please … Love Never Dies. He promised the cheering crowd that “I’ll try to do my best with the sequel”.

Ten years after the conclusion of the original story, 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…

Previous working titles for the new musical have included The Phantom of Manhattan and, more recently Once Upon Another Time (See The Goss, 9 Jun 2008). Love Never Dies – whose creative team includes Ben Elton (book), Glen Slater (lyrics) and Jack O’Brien (direction) – is expected to premiere in November 2009.