El Fantasma de la Ópera en Londres: todo sobre el musical
Of all the musicals in London's West End, The Phantom of the Opera has earned a special place. If you want to find out why and learn all about this historic work, you're in the right place.
Her Majesty's Theatre where Phantom of the Opera is performed | ©Andy Roberts
The quality of musicals in London's West End is exceptional. In fact, it is considered, along with Broadway, the Mecca of English-language musicals. But there is one musical that has earned a special place in its own right: The Phantom of the Opera.
The play based on the novel by Gaston Leroux has been running continuously since 1986, making it the second longest-running musical in the West End and the third longest-running in its history. Since then it has accumulated 13,000 performances attended by more than 140,000 spectators. A fascinating plot, a spectacular staging and a soundtrack that has gone down in history are some of the keys to its success.
How to get tickets to see The Phantom of the Opera in London
The Phantom of the Opera is the West End's biggest show and thousands of tourists flock to see it every day. That's why it's almost obligatory to buy your Phantom of the Opera tickets in advance.
Another advantage of buying your tickets online is that it allows you to choose your seats. The further in advance you buy your tickets , the better chance you have of getting the best seats. I recommend that you look at least a couple of weeks in advance. The best views are from the middle rows closest to the stage and the front row seats in the upper tier.
There is always the possibility of buying tickets at the theatre box office. There are no advantages compared to buying tickets online, as only the seats with the least visibility will remain at the box office if the tickets are not sold out. But this option can always save us from a hurry, especially for those who are more prone to improvisation.
How much do tickets for The Phantom of the Opera in London cost?
Ticket prices for tickets to see The Phantom of the Opera musical vary depending on the location chosen. The cheapest tickets start at £45, or 53 euros, and the most expensive tickets cost 175 euros.
- The cheapest tickets are between 53 and 67 euros. These seats are further away from the stage and on the sides.
- The intermediate tickets start at 81 euros and go up to 95 euros approximately. They are the best value for money tickets and are distributed from the area furthest from the stage to the middle of the stalls, but more centred and with better visibility than the previous ones.
- The best tickets can be obtained from 100 euros up to almost 175 euros. They are always located close to the stage, centred and have perfect visibility.
Prices may vary depending on the date or the discounts available. So, at peak times such as Christmas in London, fares tend to go up.
What to expect at The Phantom of the Opera in London
The Phantom of the Opera musical is a work by director Andrew Lloyd Webber, who brilliantly adapted the original novel by Gaston Leroux.
The staging is simply spectacular. Each performance uses some 230 costume elements, 280 candles are lit by hand and the actors wear over 100 wigs.
Plot
The story revolves around a man with a disfigured face who hides behind a mask and lives in the depths of the Paris opera house. The phantom rules the opera through the fear he provokes in its workers and through violence. But everything changes when Christine, a singer with whom the ghost falls absolutely in love, appears on the scene. The protagonist's attempts to conquer the beautiful singer, who loves Raoul, an opera director, are the central axis of a passionate story of love and jealousy.
In the play, the story is divided into a prologue and two acts, lasting two and a half hours with a 15-minute intermission. More than 40 actors take part, including singers, chorus members, extras and dancers.
Phantom of the Opera London performance times
The Phantom of the Opera musical runs Monday to Saturday, **7.**30pm. In addition, on Thursdays and Saturdays there are two extra performances at 2.30pm.
Please note that the musical runs for 2.5 hours. If you want some advice on which day is the best day to go, I recommend between Monday and Wednesday. All shows are busy, but from Thursday onwards there tends to be more demand, so if you go earlier in the week you have a better chance of getting good tickets.
Which theatre does The Phantom of the Opera play in London and what is the address?
The musical is performed in the legendary Her Majesty's Theatre. It opened its doors in 1897 and began hosting plays by William Shakespeare and other classics. The Phantom of the Opera has been performed on its stage since 1986. The theatre has a capacity for 1,216 spectators.
The building is located in London's Haymarket Street, very close to the famous Trafalgar Square. Given its location in the heart of London, it is very easy to get to.
My favourite way to get there is by London Underground. The nearest one is Piccadilly Circus, Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines, whose stop is a 5-minute walk from the theatre. By bus, the lines that take you to the theatre are 6, 13, 15, 23, 139, 159 and 453.
The car is not the best option given the busy traffic in central London. But if you choose this option, the nearest car park is next to Leicester Square, a 5 minute walk from Her Majesty's Theatre.
Can I see The Phantom of the Opera in London with children and is it suitable for children?
The Phantom of the Opera is not the best musical to see if you are going to London with children, but that does not mean it is exclusively for adults. The story itself is suitable for children, but some scenes in the musical have a dark tone that can be scary for younger children.
If you're looking for musicals in the West End for children, the best options are The Lion King or Matilda.
What level of English do I need to see The Phantom of the Opera in London?
The story of The Phantom of the Opera is well known all over the world. If you already know it from the novel, the films or other plays, you don't need to have a good level of English to enjoy the play. The sets, the costumes, the performances... Everything is of a very high level so, without understanding the dialogue, you can follow the thread of the musical without any problem.
Equally, if you don't know the story and don't want to reveal the surprise, English is not compulsory. You will probably understand the play perfectly. Of course, if you are fluent in English, no detail will escape you and the musical will be more enjoyable.
What is the dress code for this musical?
On paper and officially, there is no dress code in London's West End theatres. So you are free to choose how you dress.
As far as dress is concerned, all theatres, including Her Majesty's Theatre, have a cloakroom service. This service costs around 2 pounds, about 2.36 euros per garment.
Should I have dinner before or after the performance and will the restaurants be open in the surrounding area?
The evening performances at 19:30 do coincide with the usual dinner time in the UK. Therefore, Her Majesty's Theatre and all West End theatres have a café service. It is common to order a snack before the performance and have it during the interval. If you choose to do this, you will find your order ready with your name on it when you leave at the interval. With the evening pass you will leave at 10pm and London restaurants usually close around 11pm. You have time but you would be in a hurry. That's why I recommend the cafeteria option.
On Thursdays and Saturdays they have a 14:30 pass and, in this case, it doesn't affect the meal. Lunchtime in London starts at around 12 noon, so you have plenty of time to have a leisurely lunch in a nearby restaurant.
Why do we recommend this musical?
The great thing about classics is that they are a safe bet and The Phantom of the Opera is no exception. The more than 30 years it has been running are a good guarantee of this. If, of all the musicals in London's West End, you choose this one, I can assure you that you won't be disappointed.
The play is outstanding in all aspects that a good musical should have: a spectacular staging, sets that are cared for down to the smallest detail, a story that captures and moves the viewer, a cast to match and, of course, a soundtrack that is part of the history of musicals.
Other similar musicals that may interest you
If for some reason you're not convinced by The Phantom of the Opera, or you've seen it and fallen in love with it, the West End has plenty of alternatives for you. Here are the best ones:
Les Miserables
The other great West End classic. Only Les Miserables has been on stage longer than Phantom of the Opera. Only 1 year longer. The play is based on the novel by Victor Hugo and is a magnificent adaptation of it.
A spectacular 2.5 hour musical at the Queen's Theatre, a 5 minute walk from Piccadilly Circus tube station.
Moulin Rouge
If you like love stories like Phantom of the Opera, Moulin Rouge is sure to catch your fancy. A show where Baz Luhrmann's film comes to life with great performances and its legendary soundtrack splendidly interpreted.
The Piccadilly Theatre, next to the square and tube stop of the same name, hosts this great musical.
You already know all about one of the greatest musicals in the West End and on the planet. If you visit the British capital, among all the things to see and do on your visit to London, drop by Her Majesty's Theatre, The Phantom of the Opera is here.