The Phantom of the Opera

Continuing its policy of attracting established blue-chip touring performances, Dubai Opera is running Broadway Entertainment Group’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s critically acclaimed musical for a three-week run.

The story is based on Gaston Leroux’s classic novel of a musical genius known only as ‘The Phantom’ who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House in the 19th century. Mesmerised by the talent and beauty of the young soprano Christine, the Phantom grooms her as his protégé – but that doesn’t go too well, and his obsession sets the scene for a dramatic collision of jealousy, madness and passion.

The show, which celebrated 37 years last October, has won over 70 major theatre awards – it’s Lloyd-Webber’s most successful – and reportedly has been seen by more than 160 million people worldwide; now it’s our turn … There are performances between 22 February and 10 March (not Mondays), with shows at 8pm on weekdays and 2pm and 8pm on Saturdays, 2pm and 7.30pm on the Sundays. Tickets look a tad pricey, but this is a lavish production with a big cast and a 2h45m run time that could well justify the cost.