After a 4-year absence, the original musical from London's West End is returning to Chongqing! 

From November 5 to 12, the English original musical of The Phantom of the Opera Sequel: Love Never Dies will have a 10-show run at the Chongqing Grand Theater.

This production was created by the musical maestro Andrew Lloyd Webber. After achieving significant success in North America, Japan, and Finland, the re-staged version of the play will have its global premiere in Shanghai in September 2023. Following that, in November, it will move to Chongqing Grand Theater as the second stop of the worldwide tour, with a consecutive run of ten performances.

The English original musical commenced its first round of ticket sales on August 16. An employee of the Chongqing Grand Theater said, "Following the original musical Matilda in 2019, The Phantom of the Opera Sequel: Love Never Dies is the first English original musical introduced after a four-year hiatus and also the project with the most performances since the opening of Chongqing Grand Theater."

Stage photo of The Phantom of the Opera Sequel: Love Never Dies. (Photo/Chongqing Grand Theatre)

With increasing cultural exchanges both domestically and internationally, all five theaters at the Chongqing Grand Theater are fully engaged. This year, they are preparing for over 600 performances to cater to the audience in Chongqing. "In June, the ballet Swan Lake marked the beginning of international performances, and throughout this year, a plethora of high-quality foreign productions, including The Phantom of the Opera Sequel: Love Never Dies, will be available for Chongqing's audience. They will be able to appreciate grand performances such as the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra from Russia and the Riverdance, a tap dance drama hailed as a national treasure from Ireland, all at their doorstep."

The only one in Southwest China

The Phantom of the Opera Sequel: Love Never Dies will have its global premiere in China with a newly staged production in 2023. The first show is scheduled to take place in September 2023 in Shanghai, marking the beginning of its first-ever worldwide tour. The tour will subsequently visit Chongqing, which is not only the sole stop in Southwest China for this tour but also the second stop on the global tour as one of the world's most renowned musical IPs, The Phantom of the Opera, created by musical maestro Andrew Lloyd Webber has been active on the musical stage for 37 years. 

In 2010, his painstakingly crafted The Phantom of the Opera Sequel: Love Never Dies had its global premiere in London's West End to a packed house. Seven years later, it crossed the Atlantic to kick off multiple tours in the United States, presenting audiences with a magnificent performance-themed self-transcendence and rebirth. In 2023, this romantic symphony echoing around the world will be newly re-staged and replayed in China.

Stage photo of The Phantom of the Opera Sequel: Love Never Dies. (Photo/Chongqing Grand Theatre)

In November, audiences in Chongqing can enjoy this original musical from London's West End without leaving the city. Centered around The Phantom of the Opera Sequel: Love Never Dies, Chongqing Grand Theater, the cultural landmark of the city, will continuously attract artists from home and abroad, pushing Chongqing's performing arts stage to further align with international standards and aiding Chongqing in accelerating its development as an international consumption center.

Webber's beloved masterpiece debuts in China

Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the world's most renowned composers of musicals. He has created globally successful productions such as The Phantom of the Opera, which has grossed over USD 6 billion in ticket sales, and acclaimed works like Cats, Evita, and School of Rock. His shows have been running in London's West End for 50 years and on Broadway for 43 years.

Stage photo of The Phantom of the Opera Sequel: Love Never Dies. (Photo/Chongqing Grand Theatre)

This dazzling new production will make the audience feel like they are riding a thrilling roller coaster, experiencing a journey filled with intrigue, madness, and romance. The enchanting and bizarre story will immerse the audience in a mysterious and poetic reverie, allowing them to experience the alluring temptations and marvel at the intertwined destinies of joy and sorrow in the characters.

According to the producer, the upcoming new adaptation will feature magnificent and bizarre amusement park scenes, such as a rotating carousel and a prism jungle. This new version of The Phantom of the Opera Sequel: Love Never Dies will reach new heights of grandeur, providing audiences with a truly immersive and groundbreaking theatrical experience. The music not only carries on the tender style of Webber's "Phantom" series but also daringly introduces diverse genres like rock. It allows emotions to be conveyed through the power of song, showcasing the remarkable musical allure of "Phantom." With stunning visual effects and innovative, original music, the audience will be transported into a thrilling and romantic amusement park setting, where they can experience the emotions hidden behind the Phantom's mask.