The classic musical The Phantom of the Opera has embarked on an international tour, with a 48-day extended run in Shanghai, following successes in Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong province and Xi'an in Northwest China's Shaanxi province. 

Even before the curtains rise in Shanghai, the tickets for August and September performances have already sold out.

This rendition of The Phantom of the Opera faithfully replicates the classic version produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group in 1986. With 160 minutes of runtime, the production offers an exquisitely lavish experience, featuring a set change every five minutes, over 230 vibrant costumes, intricate 19th-century-style props, and a crystal chandelier composed of 6,000 beads, earning it the title of the "pinnacle of musical theater aesthetics."

Ma Chencheng, president of Shanghai Media Group, said that the original version of The Phantom of the Opera has chosen Shanghai for the first time for casting and rehearsals during the international tour, which helps bolster Shanghai's global performing arts resource allocation capabilities and solidifies its position as a key link in the global entertainment market.

"As more top global performing arts resources represented by The Phantom of the Opera converge in Shanghai, residents and global visitors will gain a more diverse and enriching cultural and tourism experience in this city, further stimulating consumer potential," Ma said.

In 2018, SMG and RUG jointly announced the Phantom China project, aiming at propelling the development of China's musical industry through a series of initiatives to nurture talent, cultivate the market, and promote productions.

In May 2023, the Chinese version of The Phantom of the Opera premiered in Shanghai, marking the 18th language version of the musical. The production embarked on a 6.5-month national tour, visiting nine cities and staging 159 performances, amassing over 150 million yuan ($21 million) in box office revenue. 

Source: shobserver.com