The Phantom of the Opera London Review: Is It Worth Seeing?
Looking for an honest Phantom of the Opera London review? From the spectacular stage design and unforgettable music to ticket prices, seating and where to eat beforehand, here’s what to expect from one of the West End’s most iconic musicals.
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Some West End shows are as synonymous with London as red buses and telephone boxes. And The Phantom of the Opera is undoubtedly one of them.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical first opened in London on 9 October 1986, with Michael Crawford as the Phantom and Sarah Brightman as Christine. Two years later, it made its Broadway debut in January 1988, where it would go on to become the longest-running Broadway show in history.
Based on Gaston Leroux’s novel, the story follows Christine Daaé, a young opera singer caught between her childhood sweetheart and the mysterious masked musical genius living beneath the Paris Opera House. With a rather dramatic chandelier thrown in for good measure.
But after four decades in London’s West End, is The Phantom of the Opera actually worth seeing? And more importantly, is it worth the sometimes eye-watering ticket prices?
Having finally seen it from the second row (with the ticket price to match…), here’s my review.
Shall we?
About the Author
Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.
On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.
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🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.
The Theatre: His Majesty’s Theatre
First things first, I will say part of the magic of seeing Phantom in London is the theatre itself.
His Majesty’s Theatre on Haymarket has been home to the production since its London premiere in 1986, although the theatre’s history goes back considerably further (four theatres have stood on the site since 1705, and the current one dates back to 1897).
Fun fact: the theatre changes its name depending on the reigning monarch! It became His Majesty’s Theatre again following the accession of King Charles III.
Inside, there’s everything you’d hope for from a historic West End theatre. Ornate balconies, beautiful detailing and a grandeur that feels particularly fitting for a musical set inside the Paris Opera House.
Considering the production was originally designed for this very theatre, it’s no wonder the staging works so spectacularly within it.
Where to Eat Before The Phantom of the Opera
For the full theatre-night experience, I’d personally start with dinner at Le Garrick in Covent Garden.
It’s a wonderfully atmospheric French restaurant, complete with candlelit tables downstairs, classic French dishes and a pre-theatre menu. Fitting, considering you’re about to spend the next few hours immersed in a story set in Paris (I’d allow around 10–15 minutes to walk to the theatre afterwards).
Or, for something completely different, try Kinkally in Fitzrovia, where contemporary Georgian cooking meets handmade khinkali dumplings and quite an impressive Georgian wine list.
It’s around a 20-minute walk from His Majesty’s Theatre, so I’d leave yourself a little extra time after dinner.
My Phantom of the Opera London Review
If you’ve seen the 2004 Phantom of the Opera film, starring Emmy Rossum and Gerard Butler, there’s something particularly cool about finally watching the iconic (albeit at times, slightly eerie) story performed in front of you.
If you know the movie by heart, the good news is the stage version will feel wonderfully familiar.
Of course, the film was adapted from the original musical, so that’s hardly surprising. A few differences in dialogue and pacing crop up, but for the most part the songs, story and unforgettable moments remain remarkably similar.
What the film simply can’t recreate, however, is the spectacle of seeing Phantom live.
The stage design is phenomenal. Designed originally by Maria Björnson and restored and updated for the production’s 2021 reopening, it somehow manages to transform the same stage from the grandeur of the opera house to the Phantom’s underground lair, complete with candles, mist and a boat gliding through the darkness.
In other words, the whole shebang!
Of course, it can’t be Phantom of the Opera without a chandelier swinging through the audience (which I later learned was based on a real incident at the Paris Opera House that helped inspire the book).
For me, though, the music was what really won me over.
Hearing The Music of the Night performed live, with the Phantom drawing Christine further into his world, was completely captivating.
By the time The Point of No Return arrived, I was so absorbed in the production that I almost forgot there was an audience sitting around me at all.
The vocals were equally impressive. Colleen Rose Curran, who played Christine during our performance, was extraordinary. Dare I say it, I actually preferred her singing to Emmy Rossum’s performance in the 2004 film.
Beatrice Penny-Touré also plays Christine in the current anniversary production, alongside Jordan Donica as the Phantom and Rhys Whitfield as Raoul. So depending on the performance you book, you’ll have the chance to see a different interpretation of the role.
Is The Phantom of the Opera Worth Seeing?
Absolutely.
If you’re hoping for a completely different interpretation from the 2004 film, Phantom perhaps isn’t the West End show I’d choose. The story remains largely faithful to the original musical, so you’re not coming for unexpected plot twists or an entirely new take on the characters.
But you are coming to experience it live.
Between the extraordinary music, elaborate costumes, theatrical effects and sheer scale of the production, it’s not difficult to understand why people have been returning to see this show for forty years.
Would I recommend paying for the second row? If it’s within your budget, being that close to the action is certainly an experience. But I wouldn’t say it’s essential to enjoying the show, particularly when the production has so many larger-scale moments that can be appreciated from further back.
All in all, after almost four decades, you might expect a production like Phantom to have lost some of its magic. But I found quite the opposite.
In fact, the only thing I left His Majesty’s Theatre wishing was that I could watch the whole thing again.
Highly recommend.
Happy travels,
Candace x
Practical Bits:
Address: His Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket, London SW1Y 4QL
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square (both around a 5-minute walk)
Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes, including an interval
Performance Times: Monday–Saturday at 7:30pm, with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2:30pm. No regular Sunday performances.
Tickets: From £25 on the official website, with prices increasing considerably for premium seats and popular performances. A limited number of day seats are also released online from £37.50 at 10am.
How Long Is It Running? You can currently book until 2 October 2027, and there’s no announced final closing date.
Perfect for: First-time West End visitors, musical theatre lovers, date nights and anyone who grew up loving the 2004 Phantom of the Opera movie.
Good to Know: I’d recommend arriving around 30 minutes before the performance to enjoy the theatre without rushing. The show is recommended for ages 8+, and includes loud noises, flashing lights, pyrotechnics and some scenes of violence. Book your pre-theatre dinner well in advance, particularly if you’re catching a weekend performance.
Plan the Rest of Your West End Night
Making a night of it? From more West End reviews to nearby neighbourhood guides and where to stay, here’s everything you need to plan the perfect theatre trip in London.
More London Theatre Reviews:
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