John Owen-Jones to lead new cast of The Phantom of the Opera

New leads have been announced for Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera with John Owen-Jones returning to play the titular role from 7 September.

He will be joined by Celinde Schoenmaker as Christine Daaé, Nadim Naaman as Raoul, Michael Matus as Monsieur Firmin and Christopher Dickins as Monsieur André.

ITV1 show, Superstar winner Ben Forster will take over as The Phantom from Monday 1 February 2016, following his appearance later this year as ‘Buddy’ in Elf The Musical.

John Owen-Jones has played the role more times than any other actor in the West End production’s history. His other theatre credits include Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and most recently he appeared as Pirelli in the English National Opera production of Sweeney Todd.

Continuing their roles in the production are Lara Martins (Carlotta), Jacinta Mulcahy (Madame Giry), John Ellis (Piangi) and Alicia Beck (Meg). Emmi Christensson will continue as the alternate Christine Daaé until June 2016 when Lisa-Anne Wood takes over the role.

Schoenmaker has just finished playing the role of Fantine in Les Misérables having made her West End debut in 2013.

Nadim Naaman returns to The Phantom of the Opera having appeared in the production from 2010 to 2012. He most recently appeared in Titanic at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. His London theatre credits include Sweeney Todd at Harrington’s Pie & Mash Shop, One Man, Two Guvnors at The National Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket and The Sound of Music at the London Palladium.

The Phantom of the Opera is playing at Her Majesty's Theatre. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.