The brilliant original production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera will come to Birmingham Hippodrome in 2020 as part of a major UK and Ireland tour.

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Now in its 33^rd phenomenal year in the West End, The Phantom of the Opera is widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in history. The production will come to Birmingham Hippodrome from 29 July – 12 September 2020, tickets will go on sale to Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patron scheme members on Tuesday 10 September at 11am.

Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre Company Limited The Phantom of the Opera‘s romantic, haunting and soaring score includes Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, Masquerade and the iconic title song.

The Phantom of the Opera tells the tale of a disfigured musical genius known only as ‘The Phantom’ who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House. Mesmerised by the talents and beauty of a young soprano – Christine, the Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine’s love for Raoul, the Phantom’s obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness and passions collide.

The Phantom of the Opera is one of the most successful musicals in history playing to over 145 million people in 41 countries and 183 cities in 17 languages. It has won more than 70 major theatre awards, including seven Tony Awards and four Olivier Awards.

Fiona Allan, Birmingham Hippodrome Artistic Director and Chief Executive said; “The Phantom of the Opera is the very definition of a blockbuster musical, having played in London for 33 years and been seen by 145 million people worldwide. Now Birmingham audiences will have the opportunity to experience this extraordinary production, as once again the Hippodrome brings the very best of the West End to the West Midlands.”

Tickets will go on sale to Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patron scheme members on Tuesday 10 September at 11am, to groups on Tuesday 24 September at 11am and to the general public from Thursday 26 September at 11am. Click here to become a Friend and enjoy priority booking for some of the best seats in the house.

…We’ve put together a quick fire guide to getting your tickets for The Phantom of the Opera at Birmingham Hippodrome 29 July – 12 September 2020… GETTING YOUR TICKETS…

…as well as ‘Raoul’ in “The Phantom of the Opera” at Her Majesty’s Theatre. He first joined the company of “Les Misérables” in 2008, going onto play the role of…

…West End, The Phantom of the Opera (29 Jul-12 Sep 2020) will haunt the Hippodrome with the spectacular and brilliant original production in the summer of 2020. Tickets will go…

…Barron (Titanic The Musical, Bumblescratch), Kieran Brown (The Phantom of the Opera, Chess), Greg Castiglioni (Titanic The Musical, Fiddler on the Roof), Lewis Cornay (The Break, Brothers), Alexander Evans (Eugenius,…

…principle cast members of Wicked, Six The Musical and The Phantom of the Opera, alongside Birmingham Hippodrome’s own Zoo Nation Young Company and the cast of West Side Story, the…

…collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh pushed the boundaries further with the spectacle and technical wizardry of “Cats” (1981) and “The Phantom of the Opera” in 1986. At the Hippodrome, a spectacular…

…with Andrew Lloyd Webber: “The Phantom of the Opera” was to become another worldwide mega-hit. Opening on 9 October, 1986 at Her Majesty’s Theatre, again over 30 years later it…

Following last year’s record-breaking production of Aladdin attended by nearly 120,000 people, we are delighted to announce another spectacular line-up for this year’s must-see pantomime adventure, Dick Whittington. JOHN BARROWMAN, STEVE MCFADDEN, THE KRANKIES and MATT SLACK will lead a superb cast in the magical production which runs from Monday 19 December 2016 to Sunday 29 January 2017.

JOHN BARROWMAN stars in the title role of the hero Dick Whittington. The hugely popular showman last appeared at the Hippodrome in the pantomime Robin Hood in 2008/09 and has enjoyed an acclaimed and hugely varied career including music, presenting and writing with performances on television and film, in the West End and on Broadway. His numerous stage credits include leading roles in Sunset Boulevard, Anything Goes, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon and Company. He was on the TV judging panel of How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber, and hosted his own primetime Saturday night programme for the BBC.

John is perhaps best-known for his iconic role as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who for the BBC, a role that proved so popular he became the leading role in its spin-off series, Torchwood, which made John a household name. He has also released eleven studio albums and two concert DVDs. John is currently starring as Malcolm Merlyn in the acclaimed US television show Arrow, based on the DC Comic crime-fighter Green Arrow which is now in its fifth series.

Soap star STEVE MCFADDEN will be telling a different ‘tail’ this Christmas starring as the evil King Rat, determined to outwit Dick Whittington. The RADA trained actor has appeared in numerous television programmes, including roles in The Bill, Minder and Bergerac, but it is the role of Phil Mitchell in the long-running BBC soap EastEnders for which he is best known. Steve has starred in the iconic role for over 25 years, at the centre of a number of high-profile storylines, and has won a plethora of high-profile awards. No stranger to the world of pantomime, Steve has played practically all the villains in pantoland, but Dick Whittington marks his first time playing its most evil rodent!

Joining John and Steve are the legendary double act THE KRANKIES playing Councillor and Jimmy Krankie. Having entertained audiences with their slapstick for over 50 years, Dick Whittington reunites the pair with John Barrowman, having starred together in pantomime in their hometown of Glasgow for five years. Ian and Janette Tough, who last year celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary, have been stalwarts on the cabaret circuit and on television since the 1970s, enjoying a varied career including sold-out residencies at major theatres across the UK, appearances at the Royal Variety Performance and their own television programmes The Krankies Klub and The Krankies Elektronik Komic and released two singles, Fan-Dabi-Dozi, based on their much loved catchphrase and Wee Jimmy Krankie.

For a fourth year running Hippodrome favourite MATT SLACK returns to make Birmingham audiences roll in the aisles with his hilarious physical comedy and quick wit in the role of Idle Jack. Matt has delighted audiences year after year winning rave reviews for his hilarious performances. Also returning after last year’s appearance in Aladdin is favourite pantomime dame ANDREW RYAN, who will don even more of his amazing frocks in the role of Sarah the Cook.

Produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, Dick Whittington will be directed by MICHAEL HARRISON for the fifth year running. Michael, also the producer behind Birmingham Hippodrome hits The Bodyguard, Annie and Barnum said: “Once again we are delighted to bring together a sensational cast of talented performers for the Birmingham Hippodrome pantomime, which – as always – will be a spectacle on a par with any West End show in terms of scale and production values.”

FIONA ALLAN, Artistic Director and Chief Executive at Birmingham Hippodrome added: “We are hugely excited to be working with Qdos again to bring audiences such a fantastic line up of stars for Dick Whittington. It’s never too early to be planning Christmas fun – sales are already set to break records – and this year’s pantomime promises plenty of laughs, outrageous costumes and special effects to amaze all the family.”

Dick Whittington runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday 19 December 2016 until Sunday 29 January 2017. Tickets from £15.50* can be booked on 0844 338 5000† or from birminghamhippodrome.com.

†Calls cost 4.5p per min. plus your phone company’s access charge. * 5% transaction fee applies (excl. cash sales in person).

Few musicals have captured the hearts and minds of audiences quite like the multi-award winning Blood Brothers. Returning to Birmingham Hippodrome for two weeks from Mon 10 – Sat 22 Oct, the smash-hit musical will see actress and singer Lyn Paul reprise her iconic role as Mrs Johnstone, a part she first took on in 1996/1997, having first shot to fame as a member of The New Seekers in the 1970s.

Affectionately christened “the standing ovation musical” by The Daily Mail, what began life as a secondary school play has since grown into a worldwide phenomenon and remains, to this day, one of only three musicals to surpass the milestone of 10,000 performances in London’s West End.

Written by Liverpool playwright, composer and director Willy Russell, Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. The memorable score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.

To celebrate Blood Brothers’ 10^th visit to Birmingham Hippodrome in 2016, cast members Lyn Paul (Mrs Johnstone), Sean Jones (Mickey Johnstone) and Joel Eldridge (Eddie Lyons) joined Hippodrome staff and members of the press on stage for a celebratory photo call and a slice of cake on Tues 11^th October before heading off to warm-up for their evening show.

Blood Brothers famously ran for 24 years in London, making it the 5^th longest-running show ever to appear on the West End behind The Mousetrap, Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and The Woman in Black.

The first production of Blood Brothers to be performed at Birmingham Hippodrome opened on 7 Aug 1995 starring Helen Reddy as Mrs Johnstone. The production was also the first version of the show to be performed outside of the West End.

The current production of Blood Brothers, starring Lyn Paul, is the tenth version of the show to take place at Birmingham Hippodrome over its 30 year history.

Blood Brothers runs until Sat 22 Oct at Birmingham Hippodrome. For tickets, call 0844 338 5000 or visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com