Phantom at 40: West End gala reunites original and current stars

The Phantom of the Opera turned 40 in London on Friday 9 October.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical marked the birthday with a sold-out gala at His Majesty's Theatre. The evening performance started at 6:30pm, according to the show's official site.

The London production dates back to 9 October 1986. It opened then at Her Majesty's Theatre, the building now known as His Majesty's Theatre. That theatre remains its London home.

Cameron Mackintosh produces the West End production. For the anniversary, past and present came together on the red carpet.

Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman were the show's original stars. Crawford created the Phantom. Brightman created Christine. Both joined the 40th anniversary celebrations in London.

They spoke to WhatsOnStage alongside Lloyd Webber and Mackintosh. The outlet also interviewed current stars Jordan Donica and Beatrice Penny-Touré. Those red-carpet conversations were released as a bonus podcast episode.

The gala itself added something extra for the night. It included a one-off third act and curtain call with cast members from across the show's 40-year history, the show's official site said. Harriet Fisher hosted live red-carpet coverage on Box Five Live.

The birthday also brought new life to the old recording. Lloyd Webber has remixed and remastered the original album for a new release, WhatsOnStage reported in September. That album featured Crawford as the Phantom, Brightman as Christine and Steve Barton as Raoul.

For fans, this means old and new shared the same stage. Forty years on, the chandelier still falls. The house still goes quiet.