Play Guides

Guide to seeing The Phantom of the Opera in Melbourne

The Phantom of the Opera holding Christine

Danny Baggs

Posted October 26, 2022

The Phantom of the Opera is here! Here’s everything you need to know to see The Phantom of the Opera on stage in Melbourne.

The Phantom of the Opera is one of the most successful musicals of all time. It launched in London’s West End in 1986, then in New York’s Broadway in 1988, winning Best Musical in both locations.

The musical is now the longest-running show on Broadway, the second longest-running musical in West End after Les Misérables, and the third longest-running West End show of all time after The Mousetrap. And with over USD$6 billion in gross revenue generated worldwide, The Phantom of the Opera is the second biggest theatre show earner behind The Lion King musical.

RACV Members get discounted tickets to The Phantom of the Opera in Melbourne.

 

The Phantom of the Opera is playing at Melbourne's State Theatre this year.

What you need to know about The Phantom of the Opera

What is The Phantom of the Opera about?

The Phantom of the Opera is a musical about a mysterious ‘Opera Ghost’ living in the catacombs beneath the Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) in 1881, and his obsession with the beautiful soprano star Christine. At its heart, The Phantom of the Opera is a romance story, with fantastical horror elements.

The 1986 musical was composed by English composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe. Its plot is based on Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra, which was partly inspired by chilling rumours surrounding the 19th century Paris Opera. These included the use of a former ballet pupil’s skeleton in Carl Maria von Weber’s 1941 production of Der Freischütz, the opera house’s chandelier crashing down during Act One of the opera Helle and killing a person, and several superstitious tales of a ghost in the opera house. There really is a ‘lake’ (cistern) underneath the French Opera House...and it is still used to train firefighters to swim in the dark.

To this day, the Phantom has a box seat reserved for him (Box 5) at the Garnier Theatre out of respect.

Is The Phantom of the Opera suitable for children?

Children aged under 10 are not recommended to see The Phantom of the Opera due to its themes of horror and violence. Parental guidance is suggested for children aged between 10 and 17.

 

Raoul speaking with Christine

The Phantom of the Opera is a gothic romance. Image: Daniel Boud

How long is The Phantom of the Opera?

The Phantom of the Opera has a runtime of 2.5 hours, including an interval. It is similar in length to Hamilton and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and shorter than Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

When is The Phantom of the Opera playing in Melbourne?

The Phantom of the Opera will run from 2 November 2022.

No end date has been announced yet.

Where is The Phantom of the Opera showing in Melbourne?

Arts Centre Melbourne’s State Theatre is hosting The Phantom of the Opera in Melbourne.

This Southbank theatre is one of the largest theatre stages in the world – equivalent to the floor space of eight suburban homes – which is why it’s home to two resident companies: The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia. It seats over 2,000 patrons and features 75,000 tiny brass cups decorating the ceiling, plus a famous hand-painted curtain designed by Graham Bennett and donated by the former State Bank of Victoria when the State Theatre opened in 1984.

 

ensemble cast of The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera goes all-out on costuming. Image: Daniel Boud

Who is performing in Melbourne's The Phantom of the Opera?

The Melbourne cast of The Phantom of the Opera includes:

  • The Phantom of the Opera (the mysterious Opéra phantom) – Josh Piterman

  • Christine Daaé (the Opéra’s talented soprano) – Amy Manford

  • Vicomte Raoul de Chagny (the Opéra’s attractive new patron) – Blake Bowden

  • Monsieur Firmin (the Opéra’s new co-owner) – David Whitney 

  • Monsieur André (the Opéra’s new co-owner) – Andy Morton

  • Carlotta Guidicelli (the Opéra’s soprano prima donna) – Giuseppina Grech

  • Madame Giry (the Opéra’s ballet mistress) – Jayde Westaby

  • Ubaldo Piangi (the Opéra’s tenor primo uomo) – Paul Tabone

  • Meg Giry (Christine’s friend and Madame Giry’s daughter) – Mietta White

  • Joseph Buquet (the Opéra's chief stagehand) – Raphael Wong

  • Auctioneer (the musical’s opening narrator) – Troy Sussman

Other actors, dancers and swings include Bridget Costello, Elliot Baker, Anton Berezin, Laura Bianchi-Bishop, Eleanor Blytheman, Gavin Brown, Ben Clark, Andrew Dunne, Lewis Francis, Christina Gibbs, Claudia Hastings, Olivia Jenkins, Daniel Koek, Naomi Livingston, Josephine Lonergan, Aaron Lynch, Imogen-Faith Malfitano, Kayleigh Marven, Emma McFarlane, Lachlan O’Brien, Brittany Page, Edward Smith, Anna Stephens, Tod Strike, Jack Wunsch, and Elisha Zion Lee.

How do I buy tickets to The Phantom of the Opera?

You can purchase tickets to Melbourne’s The Phantom of the Opera via RACV, Ticketek, Arts Centre Melbourne or Opera Australia.

RACV Members get discounted tickets to The Phantom of the Opera in Melbourne.

 

The Phantom of the Opera leading Christine into the sewers

The Phantom and Christine are The Phantom of the Opera's two main characters. Image: Daniel Boud

Is there a dress code to see The Phantom of the Opera?

Arts Centre Melbourne does not have an official dress code, but shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. Most theatregoers wear smart casual clothes, although some prefer to dress up more formally for the theatre.

How do I get to Arts Centre Melbourne?

Arts Centre Melbourne is located at 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank: just across the Yarra River from the Melbourne’s Flinders St Station.

If you are catching public transport to Arts Centre Melbourne, the closest tram stop is number 14, “Arts Precinct”. Tram routes 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72 stop here. The closest train station is Flinders Street Station, just across Princes Bridge from the theatre. If you need to hail a taxi, there is a taxi rank right in front of Arts Centre Melbourne on St Kilda Road. Use free journey planner app arevo to find the most efficient public transport route to Arts Centre Melbourne.

Where can I park at Arts Centre Melbourne?

If you are driving, park at Arts Centre Melbourne’s undercover car park at 4 Sturt Street, Southbank. The theatre car park is open 24/7 and is housed directly underneath the Theatres Building. Make sure you have a valid debit or credit card before entering, because this flat-rate car park is cash-free.

Driving an electric vehicle? The Arts Centre Melbourne car park has two free-to-use Delta Energy Systems Australia AC EV Chargers on the upper level if you need them. These chargers use a Type 1 plug.

If this car park is full, there is some street parking, but these spaces cannot be reserved and are extremely limited. Time limits may also apply. Your best bet in this case is to find parking through an app like arevo.

 

The Phantom and Christine on a barge

The Phantom of the Opera uses some spooky effects. Image: Daniel Boud

What restaurants are near Arts Centre Melbourne?

Arts Centre Melbourne currently offers an exclusive pre-dining event for The Phantom of the Opera at The Barre. The Phantom of the Opera Dining Experience features three decadent courses, plus a sparkling drink on arrival.

If you’re after something else, there’s a wide selection of quality pre- and post-theatre dining in Southbank and Melbourne CBD, right near Melbourne’s Arts Precinct. Restaurants include the innovative Japanese Saké Restaurant & Bar at Hamer Hall and the buzzing brewpub Hopscotch on Southbank’s Riverside Quay. Walk down to Southbank Promenade for seasonal Italian dishes at Rosetta Ristorante. Or you can cross Princes Bridge to the CBD and explore the wide variety of restaurants, diners and bars along Flinders Lane. Popular options include Asian-inspired cuisine at Supernormal, unpretentious Mexican at Fonda, bold Southeast Asian/Australian dishes at Chin Chin, or pub food at Melbourne’s only Hawaiian dive bar Jack & Bones.

What bars are near Arts Centre Melbourne?

You’re in luck if you’re looking for a pre- or post-show drink near Arts Centre Melbourne, with a plethora of options just a short walk or tram ride away. For a cocktail, wine or beer near the State Theatre, try Southbank Promenade where you’ll find Waterslide Bar, Ludlow Bar, Hopscotch, Left Bank, Yarra Botanica and more – complete with stunning views of the Melbourne CBD. If you have more time on your hands, journey into the city centre where you can enjoy some of Melbourne’s best cocktails and rooftop bars.

 

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