Acclaimed musical 'The Phantom of the Opera' returns to Shenzhen

Wishing to relive the romance and thrill of “The Phantom of the Opera,” or still feeling sad about missing it last year? Here comes the good news: the acclaimed musical is coming back to Shenzhen!

Photos by Hanan Assor

Before a full house, the production kicked off its 2025-2026 world tour last night at the Bay Opera of Shenzhen in Bao’an District. Over the next three weeks, it will stage 23 more performances for local audiences. 

Debuting on Oct. 9, 1986 at His Majesty’s Theater in London with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman starring as the hero and heroine, “The Phantom of the Opera” has become a musical classic, praised by The Times as “God’s gift to musical theater” and by The Daily Mirror as “if you see only one show, make sure this is the one.”

With captivating music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, magnificent stage design, and superb actor performances, it has entertained more than 160 million audience members in 205 cities worldwide, earning over 70 theatrical awards including three Olivier awards and seven Tony awards. 

The musical’s Broadway version, staged 1,3981 times between January 1988 and April 2023 at the Majestic Theater, remains the longest-running show in Broadway history. 

In July 2024, “The Phantom of the Opera” began its 2024-2025 world tour from the Bay Opera of Shenzhen. The show became an instant sensation in the city, earning 45 million yuan at the box office with an average attendance rate of nearly 90% across 40 performances in five weeks, breaking local theater records.

At a press conference held at the venue yesterday morning, the production’s three lead actors shared their excitement about performing in Shenzhen and their thoughts on their respective roles. 

“For me, because I played Christine before, now my take on her is slightly different to what I brought to China last time,” shared Grace Roberts, who starred as Christine Daaé during the production’s China stops last year and will continue to play the heroine this year. “I think I brought a little bit more of my own personal growth into the role and into Christine, so it’s a little bit fresh.”

Samuel Wyn-Morris, a seasoned West End musical actor who has appeared in productions such as “Les Miserables” and “Titanic,” will star as the Phantom. 

“This role is quite hard to play. I take the job very seriously, I take the role very seriously, and I look after these two (Christine and Raoul) when I’m on stage with them. But when I leave the stage, I go back to be Sam and I’m no longer the Phantom. I bring my own happy ways to you. It’s a duality, switch it on and switch it off. But for me, (the important thing is to) find the light and bring a bit of Sam to the room as opposed to anyone else,” he said.

Rory McCollum, who plays Raoul, emphasized the importance of slight difference in each performance. “Every show, when I’m acting opposite these two wonderful people, there’s a new moment when you think ’that’s a new thing I’m trying to bite.’ So you’re always learning, and that’s very exciting.”

The 2025 China tour version, produced by SMG Live and jointly presented by Crossroads Live and the Really Useful Group, follows the classic version presented by Cameron Mackintosh and the Really Useful Group since 1986. 

Time: 8 p.m., Oct. 14-Nov. 2 (except for Mondays); Saturdays and Sundays also at 3 p.m.

Duration: Approximately 155 minutes, including a 20-minute interval

Tickets: 280-1380 yuan

Venue: Bay Opera of Shenzhen, Bao’an District (深圳滨海艺术中心)

Metro: Line 5 to Baohua Station (宝华站), Exit A

Tip: Audiences are advised to bring a coat as temperature in the hall will be low due to stage setting requirements

Poster courtesy of the event organizer