Unofficial Fan Guide

Phantom of the Opera Worldwide

Every production playing outside the US and the West End, production family by production family.

Complete Unofficial Guide to Phantom of the Opera Worldwide

International productions: Spain, Mexico, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, Romania, Serbia, Norway, Hungary, and Australia · Latest update: August 9, 2026

I created this guide so Phans have a central place for accurate, helpful information on where to see Phantom around the world. It is completely unofficial and not affiliated with any of the productions listed. It centralizes information from official sources, local press, and box office listings across ten countries; some sources required translation from Spanish, Japanese, German, Dutch, Romanian, Serbian, Norwegian, and Hungarian. Every effort was made to confirm details through official production and venue channels. Where something could not be confirmed, I have flagged it rather than guessed. Where I have seen a production myself, the section is marked, and those sections will keep growing with firsthand detail.

The quick version

  • Running or upcoming right now: Spain, Mexico, Japan, Germany (Cologne), Romania, Serbia, Hungary.
  • Announced for later: Norway (opens September 2027) and the Netherlands (opens spring 2028).
  • Four production "families" to know: Replica (the classic Prince/Björnson staging: Japan, and Rotterdam in 2028), Bellone (the reimagined touring production, currently in Spanish: Spain and Mexico), Mackintosh Restaged (the newer touring production: Cologne), and Non-Replica (fully original local stagings: Hungary, Romania, Serbia).
  • Seen in person: the Mexico City production.
  • Also documented: Australia's outdoor Sydney Harbour spectacular, the only Phantom ever staged outdoors. It is closed (2022 and 2026 seasons), but I saw it in person, so it stays in the guide as an archive entry.
  • The International (World) Tour: the replica tour wrapping up in China in fall 2026, with Ramin Karimloo in the Shanghai 40th-anniversary finale — see section 2.
  • Everything here is subject to change. Casts, dates, and even whether a show is running at all can shift fast outside the US and UK. Always confirm on the official site before you book travel.

1How This Guide Works

This guide covers ten countries outside the US, UK, and the immersive Masquerade NYC production (those have their own guides). For each country you'll find: production status, venue and city, the producing company, cast where it's known, how to get tickets, what language the show is performed in, and anything notable about that staging.

Sections marked "Seen in person" reflect firsthand experience on top of official sources, the same way my Masquerade and US Tour guides do. The rest are built from official production channels, local press, and box office listings, translated where needed. Firsthand sections will keep expanding as I travel.

Every production in this guide belongs to one of four "families," and knowing which one you're booking changes what you'll see:

1. Replica (the classic staging). The original Harold Prince direction with Maria Björnson's designs, the version that ran on Broadway for 35 years. Japan's Shiki company has performed it since 1988, and Rotterdam's 2028 production is being built as a replica of the original 1986 London production. With Broadway closed and the West End running its own updated iteration, these are among the few places left to see classic Phantom.

2. Bellone (the reimagined touring production). Director Federico Bellone's production premiered in English in July 2023 at the Politeama Rossetti in Trieste, Italy, produced by Broadway Italia, with Ramin Karimloo in the title role. It played Milan and the Opéra de Monte-Carlo that same year. A Spanish-language version opened in Madrid in September 2023, produced by LETSGO in partnership with Amigos Para Siempre, the company Andrew Lloyd Webber and Antonio Banderas formed in 2022, with West End alum Gerónimo Rauch originating the Phantom. Madrid closed in April 2025 after two sold-out seasons, and the production now lives on as Spain's national tour and the Mexico City production, with the same staging and creative team in both countries.

3. Mackintosh Restaged (the newer touring production). Cameron Mackintosh's reimagined production, created with Matthew Bourne and based on Laurence Connor's direction, which has been rolling out internationally around the show's 40th anniversary. Cologne is the German premiere of this version, following its Vienna run.

4. Non-Replica (fully original local stagings). Licensed productions where the local creative team builds everything from the ground up: new direction, new sets, new design. Hungary's Madách production is one of the most famous non-replicas in the world. Bucharest's National Opera production (Gary McCann sets, Răzvan Ioan Dincă direction) and Belgrade's Terazije staging (Aleksandar Denić sets, Jug Radivojević direction) are also in this family. Norway's 2027 revival is billed as a re-staging and most likely belongs here too, though the production hasn't confirmed details yet. Australia's closed Sydney Harbour spectacular was also an original staging in this family, and the only outdoor Phantom ever mounted. For phans who collect productions, non-replicas are the reason to travel: each one is a version of Phantom that exists nowhere else.

Casts listed here are current as of this guide's last update. Every production notes that covers, alternates, and swings can go on at any performance. Repertory houses (Bucharest, Belgrade, Budapest) release dates in batches rather than announcing a full run in advance, so "no future date listed" doesn't always mean a show has closed.

2The International Tour

The International Tour is the production most people mean when they say "the World Tour." It is the replica staging that has been traveling since 2024, and in fall 2026 it finishes its China leg. This is a separate production from the North American Tour and separate again from the West End at His Majesty's Theatre. If you are trying to figure out which Phantom you are looking at, the International Tour is the one currently touring China. It is a slightly different version of the replica production from the North American Tour and the West End as it was originally produced before 2021, however all of these productions are influencing one another.

What is happening in fall 2026

Fall 2026 is the final stretch of the China leg. It finishes in Shanghai with a limited season built around Phantom's 40th anniversary, billed as the grand finale of the largest Mainland China tour the production has ever staged, which began back in 2024.

Three cities carry the fall leg:

  • Wuhan — Qintai Grand Theatre, August 25 to September 6, 2026
  • Chengdu — Chengdu City Concert Hall, September 15 to September 20, 2026
  • Shanghai — Shanghai Grand Theatre, September 29 to December 6, 2026

The Shanghai season runs 80 performances across roughly 10 weeks. It closes out the China leg, and it's the stop most fans are trying to reach.

After China

The tour doesn't end in Shanghai. After the China leg it takes a brief hiatus, then continues on to other parts of the world, including Abu Dhabi. Manila and Hong Kong are rumored as future stops but haven't been announced. I'll add dates here as they're confirmed.

The cast

The biggest news for this leg is that Ramin Karimloo returns to the role of The Phantom for the Shanghai season. His casting is tied directly to the 40th anniversary celebration, and it is the reason the Shanghai finale carries the weight it does. Samuel Wyn-Morris plays The Phantom at certain Shanghai performances, and he leads the Wuhan and Chengdu stops.

Shanghai finale principals

RoleActor
The PhantomRamin Karimloo, with Samuel Wyn-Morris at certain performances
Christine DaaéBebe Moss
Raoul, Vicomte de ChagnyRalph Watts
Carlotta GiudicelliRaquel Suarez Groen
Ubaldo PiangiThabiso Masemene
Madame GiryMelina Kalomas
Meg GiryClaire Lander
Monsieur AndréCurt Olds
Monsieur FirminJohn Ellis

Wuhan and Chengdu principals

RoleActor
The PhantomSamuel Wyn-Morris, understudy Stanley Allyn Owen
Christine DaaéBebe Moss, with Caitlin Finnie at certain performances
Carlotta GiudicelliRaquel Suarez Groen
Ubaldo PiangiThabiso Masemene
Madame GiryMelina Kalomas
Meg GiryClaire Lander
Monsieur AndréCurt Olds
Monsieur FirminNicholas Pound

Why this cast looks different

If you followed the tour earlier in its run, the fall principals will read as a noticeable turnover. Grace Roberts as Christine, Rory McCollum as Raoul, and Marni Raab as Madame Giry all finished their contracts on June 7, 2026. That departure date is why the finale cast is built around new names, with Karimloo brought in specifically for the anniversary season in Shanghai.

Don't confuse it with the other 40th anniversary casts. Phantom's 40th year is being marked in more than one place at once, and it is easy to mix them up. The West End production at His Majesty's Theatre in London has its own separate anniversary cast and is not connected to the touring company. When you see anniversary casting news, check whether it is referring to Shanghai (the International Tour finale) or London (the West End). They are different productions with different performers.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ramin Karimloo really in this?
Yes. He returns as The Phantom for the Shanghai season, which runs September 29 to December 6, 2026. His casting is part of the 40th anniversary celebration. He is in Shanghai only. He is not in Wuhan or Chengdu.
Where can I actually see the International Tour in fall 2026?
Three cities, all in China: Wuhan (August 25 to September 6), Chengdu (September 15 to September 20), and Shanghai (September 29 to December 6). There are no other International Tour cities on the fall schedule.
Is this the same as the London 40th anniversary?
No. London is the West End production at His Majesty's Theatre with its own cast. Shanghai is the International Tour finale. Both are marking the 40th anniversary, but they are different companies in different countries.
Who plays The Phantom if it isn't Ramin the night I go?
In Shanghai, Samuel Wyn-Morris plays The Phantom at certain performances. In Wuhan and Chengdu, Samuel Wyn-Morris is the lead, with Stanley Allyn Owen as understudy. If seeing Ramin specifically matters to you, confirm the performance schedule before booking, because he is not on every night.
How many performances is the Shanghai run?
Around 80 performances over roughly 10 weeks, from September 29 to December 6, 2026.
Is this the end of the tour?
No. The Shanghai season is billed as the grand finale of the Mainland China tour, which has been running since 2024, but the tour itself continues. After a brief hiatus it moves on to other parts of the world, including Abu Dhabi. Manila and Hong Kong are rumored but not announced.
Is it the same replica staging I have seen before?
Yes. The International Tour is the full replica production, the traditional staging with the chandelier and the original design language, not a reimagined or non-replica version.

3Mexico: El Fantasma de la Ópera

Seen in person: I've attended this production at the Teatro de los Insurgentes. This section reflects firsthand experience alongside official sources.

Overview

The same Federico Bellone production that ran in Madrid and Italy/Monte Carlo was brought to Mexico City by veteran producer Morris Gilbert (OCESA), opening November 6, 2025 at the newly remodeled Teatro de los Insurgentes. This was the first Phantom in Mexico City in about 25 years.

Status and dates

Closing September 20, 2026. The show extended repeatedly since opening and, as of July 2026, had passed 300 performances. Ticketmaster México releases performances gradually rather than posting the full run at once, so check back regularly for new on-sale dates.

Venue and producer

Teatro de los Insurgentes, Av. de los Insurgentes Sur 1587, San José Insurgentes, Mexico City. Produced by Morris Gilbert / OCESA, using the Bellone staging with musical direction by Julio Awad.

Cast

RoleActor
The PhantomEdward Salles; Luis Caballero Dussauge "Potro" alternates (often Sundays)
Christine DaaéLina de la Peña
Raoul, Vicomte de ChagnyLuis Anduaga
Carlotta GiudicelliCristina Nakad
Ubaldo PiangiJonathan Rubén
Madame GiryAlicia Paola
Meg GiryEmily Valdés
Monsieur AndréBeto Torres
Monsieur FirminAndrés Pichardo

The company includes 27 national performers and 15 live musicians. Casting is subject to change.

Ticketing

Ticketmaster México (ticketmaster.com.mx) and the box office. Prices range from roughly $1,062 MXN up to $3,294–3,844 MXN for VIP. Advance purchase discounts of about 20 percent have been advertised.

Schedule

Wednesday to Friday at 8:00 pm; Saturday at 5:00 pm and 8:30 pm; Sunday at 1:00 pm and 5:30 pm. Runtime is about 2 hours 30 minutes with an intermission.

Language

Performed in Spanish. Reviews of the production credit the translation to Álvaro Cerviño, the same Spanish adaptation used in the original 1999 Mexico City staging, which means the Mexican production sings different lyrics than the Spain tour (which uses the Silvia Montesinos adaptation). Pre-opening press had credited Montesinos here too, but that appears to have been recycled from the Spain materials. If you saw the 1999 production, the lyrics will feel like coming home.

Notable details

  • Recommended for teens and adults; children over 8 admitted with an adult.
  • Ramps available for reduced-mobility access.
  • Uses smoke machines and strobe effects.
  • There was talk of a future tour to other Mexican states, but no dates have been confirmed.
  • Instagram: @fantasmaoperamexico

4Spain: El Fantasma de la Ópera

Overview

Spain has a new, reimagined production directed by Federico Bellone. It started as a resident show at the UMusic Hotel Teatro Albéniz in Madrid, where it ran two sold-out seasons and drew more than 300,000 spectators before closing for good on April 20, 2025. From there it became Spain's first-ever national Phantom tour, hitting more than 20 cities.

Status and dates

Running (touring). The tour extends into early 2027, including a January 2027 stop in the Canary Islands. Confirmed stops include:

  • Málaga (Teatro Cervantes): July 3 – August 9, 2026
  • Zaragoza (Palacio de Congresos): October 7–18, 2026
  • Cartagena (Auditorio El Batel): October 22–25, 2026
  • Jerez de la Frontera (Teatro Villamarta): October 26 – November 1, 2026
  • Alicante (Teatro Principal): November 19 – December 6, 2026
  • Canary Islands/Tenerife: January 2027

Venue and producer

Touring, city by city. Produced by LETSGO in collaboration with Amigos Para Siempre. Some venue listings credit the promoter as Phantom Entertainment, S.L.

Cast

RoleActor
The PhantomDaniel Diges (tour); Gerónimo Rauch originated the role in Madrid
Christine DaaéAna San Martín (tour); Talía del Val (Madrid)
Raoul, Vicomte de ChagnyGuido Balzaretti
Monsieur AndréEnrique R. del Portal

Gerónimo Rauch previously played the Phantom in London's West End. Casting rotates and is subject to change without notice.

Ticketing

Official site: musicalelfantasmadelaopera.com. Also available through venue box offices, tomaticket.es, and instanticket.es. Prices vary by venue and city.

Language

Performed in Spanish. Lyrics translated and adapted by Silvia Montesinos, who is also the production's associate director. The character is referred to as "Erik."

Notable details

  • Authorized by Andrew Lloyd Webber but built for touring, on a more transportable scale than the original.
  • Hand-painted backdrops by Reinaldo Rinaldi, costumes by Chiara Donato (Broadway World Spain audience award winner), choreography by Gillian Bruce, musical direction by Julio Awad.
  • Won the Premio Talía 2024.
  • Uses strobe effects. Flag this if you're sensitive to flashing lights.
  • The Madrid venue was wheelchair accessible; confirm accessibility at each tour stop individually since venues change.

5Japan: オペラ座の怪人 (Operaza no Kaijin)

Overview

Gekidan Shiki (the Shiki Theatre Company) has performed Phantom in Japan since its 1988 Japanese premiere, using the classic Harold Prince staging. Per Shiki's own numbers, the show has drawn roughly 8 million cumulative attendees across more than 8,000 performances, making it Shiki's third most-performed title behind The Lion King and Cats.

Status and dates

Running and expanding into new venues:

  • Nagoya: opens the brand-new MTG Nagoya Shiki Theatre [Atsuta] as its inaugural production. Opening July 5, 2026, with performances beginning July 7. Tickets on sale through at least December 31, 2026. January–March 2027 tickets go on sale later (member presale August 30, 2026; general sale September 6, 2026).
  • Osaka: opens July 22, 2026, at Osaka Shiki Theatre.
  • Yokohama: announced for April–August 2027.
  • Tokyo: announced for early summer 2027.

The Fukuoka engagement (Canal City Theatre) closed April 5, 2026, with the production moving on to Nagoya from there.

Venue and producer

MTG Nagoya Shiki Theatre [Atsuta] in Nagoya, plus Osaka Shiki Theatre and venues to be confirmed for Yokohama and Tokyo. Produced by Gekidan Shiki, by arrangement with LW Entertainment Ltd.

Cast

Shiki uses a large rotating repertory cast and publishes the specific weekly lineup on their own site rather than announcing fixed principals far in advance. Check shiki.jp closer to your travel date for the actual week's cast.

Ticketing

Official site: shiki.jp. Also available through Lawson Ticket (l-tike.com) and Ticket Pia (t.pia.jp).

Language

Performed in Japanese. Japanese book by Keita Asari, translation by Shinsuke Ando, direction by Harold Prince.

Notable details

  • The Nagoya opening is historically significant. It's the debut production in Shiki's brand-new, purpose-built Nagoya theatre, replacing the previous Nagoya Shiki Theatre, which closed after Mamma Mia! on February 23, 2026, when its land lease expired.
  • Shiki offers first-time-visitor guides and family services, including parent-child viewing rooms and childcare.
  • Runtime includes an intermission.
  • Official social: X @shiki_jp, Instagram @gekidanshiki_official, YouTube shikichannel.

6Germany (Cologne): Das Phantom der Oper

Overview

This is Cameron Mackintosh's reimagined "new production" of Phantom (created with Matthew Bourne, based on Laurence Connor's original direction), and it's the German premiere of this specific staging. It's also the first time Phantom has played a German stage in over a decade. The production follows a successful run in Vienna at the Raimund Theater and moves into the Musical Dome after Moulin Rouge! relocates to Hamburg. The timing lines up with the 40th anniversary of the original London production.

Status and dates

Upcoming. Previews begin November 5, 2026. Official German premiere is November 15, 2026.

Venue and producer

Musical Dome Köln, Cologne, which also marks its own 30th anniversary in 2026. Produced by ATG Entertainment Germany.

Cast

RoleActor
The PhantomAnton Zetterholm
Christine DaaéLisanne Clémence Veeneman; Lillian Maandag alternates at selected performances
Raoul, Vicomte de ChagnyTobias Joch
Carlotta GiudicelliKatharine Allen
Madame GiryPatricia Nessy
Meg GiryLaya Höfling
Monsieur AndréTimo Verse
Monsieur FirminClaus Dam

Anton Zetterholm and Lisanne Clémence Veeneman both reprise their roles from the Vienna production.

Note: starting January 17, 2027, the title role changes to Milan van Waardenburg.

Ticketing

ATG (atgtickets.de) and Eventim. Tickets start at €59.99. Print-at-home is free; postal delivery adds €5.90. Hotel-and-ticket packages are available through Travelcircus.

Language

Performed in German. German translation by Michael Kunze.

Notable details

  • Revival director: Seth Sklar-Heyn. Choreography: Scott Ambler. Set design: Paul Brown. Costumes: Maria Björnson, revised by Jill Parker. Lighting: Paule Constable. Projection: Zakk Hein. Sound: Mick Potter.
  • This is a distinct staging from the classic Prince production still running elsewhere (like Japan), scaled for touring.
  • More info: thephantomoftheopera.com

7Romania (Bucharest): Fantoma de la Operă

Overview

A large-scale, homegrown production at the Bucharest National Opera (Opera Națională București), directed by Răzvan Ioan Dincă and conducted by ONB director Daniel Jinga. It first premiered March 31, 2023 and has become a signature ONB event, performed with a live 70-member orchestra.

Status and dates

Repertory revival. Ran 14 sold-out performances in January 2026. Returns for the fall 2026–2027 season with 13 performances: September 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 20, and 21, 2026, all at 18:30. The first six performances of this run sold out within 24 hours through the priority-access registration system.

Venue and producer

Opera Națională București, Bulevardul Unirii nr. 22, Sector 3, Bucharest. Produced by ONB under license from Cameron Mackintosh Ltd., arranged through The Really Useful Group.

Cast

RoleActor
The PhantomAdrian Nour
Christine DaaéIrina Baianț
Raoul, Vicomte de ChagnyKyrie Mendél
Carlotta GiudicelliRodica Ștefan
Ubaldo PiangiAndrei Petre
Madame GiryJudith State
Meg GiryAlina Petrică
Monsieur AndréCătălin Petrescu and Ernest Fazekaș (alternating)
Monsieur FirminRadu Ion
Monsieur ReyerCosmin Seleși
Monsieur LefevreCătălin Petrescu
Joseph BuquetIonuț Burlan
Child PhantomDavid Ioan Petrescu

Performed with the full ONB Orchestra, Chorus, and Ballet.

Ticketing

Official: tickets.operanb.ro and the ONB box office. You can also register for release alerts at thephantomoftheopera.ro/alerta. Buy only through official channels: there was a fake-ticket scam around the January premiere.

Language

Performed in Romanian. Translation and adaptation by Ernest Fazekas.

Notable details

  • Set design by Gary McCann, choreography by Violeta Dincă.
  • Keeps the iconic falling chandelier.
  • Described as one of the most expensive and complex productions ever staged in Romania.
  • The ONB website offers accessibility display modes for epilepsy, visual impairment, and cognitive needs.

8Serbia (Belgrade): Fantom iz opere

Overview

Serbia has had two separate Phantom productions. The one that's ongoing is the resident Serbian-language staging at Pozorište na Terazijama (Theatre on Terazije), the first Balkan production of the show, which premiered in October 2017 and is directed by Jug Radivojević. A separate English-language touring production (Broadway Entertainment Group) played a limited season at Belgrade's Sava Centar in April 2025, but that engagement has closed.

Status and dates

The Terazije Serbian-language production is in active repertory. It returned after a pause, played performances in late November 2025 (the 29th and 30th), and continues into 2026, with a performance confirmed for May 24, 2026. As a repertory house, Terazije releases dates in rolling batches rather than a full advance schedule.

Venue and producer

Pozorište na Terazijama, Belgrade, produced in arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd. (The closed 2025 English-language run was at Sava Centar, produced by Broadway Entertainment Group with local organizers Ticket Vision and Locals Experience.)

Cast

RoleActor
The PhantomSlobodan Stefanović and Dušan Svilar (rotating); Nikola Bulatović historically
Christine DaaéNevena Đoković and Mirjana Nedeljković (rotating); Marta Hadžimanov and Mirjana Matić historically
Raoul, Vicomte de ChagnySlaven Došlo and Ivan Marković
Carlotta GiudicelliSnežana Savičić Sekulić
Ubaldo PiangiLjubomir Popović
Madame GiryIvana Popović
Monsieur AndréDušan Šida
Monsieur FirminMilan Antonić

Creative team — Conductor: Vesna Šouc. Choreographer: Konstantin Kostjukov. Set design: Aleksandar Denić. Costumes: Tatjana Radišić.

Ticketing

Official: bilet.pozoristeterazije.com and the theatre box office.

Language

Performed in Serbian. Translation and adaptation by Slobodan Obradović.

Notable details

  • Over 100 people directly involved in the production, 250 costumes, and a set that takes four hours to install.
  • Terazije bills itself as the only theatre in the region continuously staging this many world hits.
  • The chandelier drop is positioned over the orchestra and front rows.

9Norway (Oslo): Phantom of the Opera / Operafantomet

Overview

Phantom returns to Oslo's Folketeateret, produced by Scenekvelder, following a sold-out Norwegian premiere run there in 2018.

Status and dates

Upcoming. Premieres Thursday, September 2, 2027, running to approximately November 5, 2027.

Venue and producer

Folketeateret, Storgata 21-23, Oslo. Produced by Scenekvelder / Folketeateret Oslo AS, ticketed through Eventim.

Cast

No cast has been announced yet for the 2027 run in available sources. Check back closer to the on-sale date.

Ticketing

Eventim.no and folketeateret.no. Hotel-and-ticket packages available through Showpakker.no.

Language

The 2018 Norwegian premiere was performed in Norwegian, and the 2027 revival likely follows the same pattern, but the marketing I found uses the English title "Phantom of the Opera" and doesn't explicitly restate the performance language. Confirm before assuming either way.

Notable details

  • Runtime is about 2 hours 30 minutes including intermission.
  • Billed in press materials as a "spectacular re-staging."

10Netherlands (Rotterdam): Phantom of the Opera

Overview

Phantom returns to the Netherlands for the first time in nearly 35 years, staged as a replica of the original 1986 London production. That makes Rotterdam a genuinely important entry on this list: with Broadway closed and the West End running its own updated iteration, this will be one of the few places in the world to see the classic staging. It's also a homecoming project: producer Iris van den Ende's father originally brought Phantom to the Netherlands.

Status and dates

Upcoming, not yet running. Opens spring 2028, likely February or March, at the Nieuwe Luxor Theater in Rotterdam. Ticket sales are expected to open sometime in 2027. Auditions drew nearly 1,400 musical and opera performers, described by creative director Maurice Wijnen as a bigger response than even The Lion King saw.

Venue and producer

Nieuwe Luxor Theater, Rotterdam, with weekly performances Thursday through Sunday once the run begins. Produced by MediaLane Theater (CEO Iris van den Ende) in collaboration with LW Entertainment (CEO James McKnight) and GWB Entertainment.

Cast

Not yet cast or announced.

Ticketing

Not yet on sale. Fans can join the "De Front Row" membership program for €30 in ticket credit and guaranteed presale access, through luxortheater.nl or phantominluxor.nl.

Language

Confirmed by the producer to be performed in Dutch.

Notable details

  • More than 150 specialists are working behind the scenes on this production.
  • Timed to the 40th anniversary of the original London production.
  • Official site: phantominluxor.nl.

11Hungary (Budapest): Az Operaház Fantomja

Overview

Hungary's long-running production plays at the Madách Theatre (Madách Színház), directed by Tamás Szirtes, and it's one of the most famous non-replica productions of Phantom in the world. This is not the Prince staging and not a licensed copy of it: the Madách built its own direction, sets, and design from the ground up, which is exactly why phans who collect productions make the trip to Budapest. It has now passed its 1,000th performance and continues to play to full houses, making it one of the longest-running Lloyd Webber titles at the Madách alongside Cats.

Status and dates

In active repertory; the next announced run is November 28 – December 12, 2026. Like Bucharest and Belgrade, the Madách releases performance dates in batches through its season programming rather than publishing a long advance calendar, so check current listings rather than assuming a gap means the show has closed.

Venue and producer

Madách Színház, 1073 Budapest, Erzsébet krt. 29-33. Directed by Tamás Szirtes.

Cast

RoleActor
The PhantomAttila Csengeri, Victor Posta, Sándor Sasvári (rotating)
Christine DaaéBarbara Fonyó, Renáta Krassy, Andrea Mahó (rotating)

Zsolt Homonnay, Gábor Bot, Bálint Magyar, Sándor Nagy, and Mónika Sáfár appear in other roles. Repertory casts shift between performance blocks, so confirm the current lineup on the theatre's listing for your specific date.

Ticketing

jegymester.hu, jegy.hu, and the Madách Színház box office (madachszinhaz.hu).

Language

Performed in Hungarian.

12Australia (Sydney): The Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour (Closed)

Seen in person: I attended the 2026 season in person. It's closed, but it stays in the guide as an archive entry because it's a genuinely singular piece of Phantom history and because firsthand documentation is the whole point of these guides.

Overview

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour (HOSH) is Opera Australia's annual outdoor spectacular, performed on a floating stage over the water at Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, with the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as the backdrop. When Phantom joined the series in 2022, it became the first major outdoor production in the show's history. The production returned in 2026 for the show's 40th anniversary, so it has now had two seasons, both directed by Simon Phillips with set and costume design by Gabriela Tylesova and lighting by Nick Schlieper, the same team behind the Australian production of Love Never Dies.

Status and dates

Closed. Two seasons have been staged: March 25 to April 24, 2022, and March 27 to May 3, 2026. The 2026 season was extended and had seats added to every performance due to demand. No future season has been announced, but HOSH rotates titles annually and has now brought Phantom back once, so a third season someday is plausible. Watch opera.org.au for future HOSH announcements.

Venue and producer

Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney, on a purpose-built over-water stage. Produced by Opera Australia as part of the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour series, supported by Destination NSW and the International Foundation for Arts and Culture.

Cast

2022 season

RoleActor
The PhantomJoshua Robson
Christine DaaéGeorgina Hopson
Raoul, Vicomte de ChagnyCallum Francis
Carlotta GiudicelliNaomi Johns
Ubaldo PiangiPaul Tabone
Madame GiryMaree Johnson
Monsieur AndréMartin Crewes
Monsieur FirminMichael Cormick

Phans reading my Masquerade NYC guide will recognize that last name: the same Maree Johnson who came home from playing Madame Giry on Broadway for this production now plays Madame Giry at Masquerade.

2026 season

RoleActor
The PhantomJake Lyle
Christine DaaéAmy Manford
Raoul, Vicomte de ChagnyJarrod Draper
Carlotta GiudicelliGiuseppina Grech
Ubaldo PiangiDaniel Belle
Madame GiryDebora Krizak
Meg GiryJayme Jo Massoud
Monsieur AndréMartin Crewes (returning)
Monsieur FirminBrent Hill

Jake Lyle's casting is a genuine Cinderella story: a 22-year-old classical voice student discovered during ensemble auditions and cast in the title role for his professional musical theatre debut. Amy Manford previously played Christine on the West End and the Australian in-theatre tour, and Jarrod Draper — Raoul — is a Wiradjuri man and the first Indigenous graduate of WAAPA's music theatre course.

Language

Performed in English.

Notable details

  • Production family: Non-Replica. This was an original staging built for the harbour, not a copy of any indoor version.
  • The chandelier was suspended from a crane over the water, pyrotechnic flames flared from the lake during the lair crossing, and fireworks were part of the show nightly.
  • The venue was completely uncovered, and performances went ahead in almost all weather. Opera Australia only canceled for electrical storms within 10 kilometers or extreme wind and rain, and audiences were told to plan for a 7:30 pm start regardless of conditions.
  • The 2026 season offered audio-described performances for blind and low-vision patrons, plus wheelchair and companion seating bookable through the box office.
  • Uses strobe lighting and smoke machines.
  • On-site pop-up restaurants and bars made it as much an evening event as a show, closer in spirit to a gala night than a standard theater trip.

13Frequently Asked Questions

Are any of these the same production I'd see in the US or West End?
No, and this is where the four families matter. Replica productions (Japan, and Rotterdam in 2028) are the classic Prince/Björnson staging, the version Broadway ran for 35 years. The Bellone productions (Spain, Mexico) are a reimagined staging that premiered in English in Italy in 2023 but is currently performed only in Spanish. Cologne is the Mackintosh Restaged version, which is what the US Tour also uses, so that one will feel most familiar to American phans, just in German. And the Non-Replicas (Hungary, Romania, Serbia) are completely original stagings you cannot see anywhere else. Pick your trip based on which of these you're collecting.
Will these be in English?
No. Every currently running or upcoming production in this guide is performed in the local language: Spanish, Japanese, German, Romanian, Serbian, and Hungarian. The Netherlands production is confirmed in Dutch. Norway's language is likely Norwegian based on its 2018 run, but that's not confirmed for 2027. If you're used to following along in English, listen to the score beforehand; the staging carries you through the rest.
I want to plan a trip around one of these. How far ahead should I book?
For open-ended or long-touring productions (Spain), you can generally book a few months out once dates are on sale. For repertory houses (Romania, Serbia, Hungary), tickets release in batches and can sell out fast, like Bucharest's six-show sellout in 24 hours. For anything still in the future (Germany, Norway, Netherlands), you're better off joining a mailing list or presale program where one exists and booking the moment sales open.
What about Czechia?
There is currently nothing bookable in Czechia, so it doesn't get a full section. There are rumors of a new non-replica production, but nothing has been confirmed or announced. If it materializes, it gets its own section.
Which of these have you actually seen?
Mexico City and the 2026 season of Sydney Harbour, in person, with more countries on the calendar. Sections built on firsthand visits are marked, and they'll grow the same way my Masquerade and US Tour guides did: from official information first, then layered with what it's actually like to be in the building. Sydney is closed, and it's in the guide anyway, because documenting productions I've seen is the point, and because HOSH has already brought Phantom back once.

14Appendix: Quick Reference Table

CountryFamilyStatusVenue / CityDatesLanguage
MexicoBelloneRunning, closes September 20, 2026Teatro de los Insurgentes, Mexico CitySeptember 20, 2026Spanish
SpainBelloneRunning (tour)Touring, multiple citiesThrough early 2027Spanish
JapanReplicaRunning / expandingNagoya, Osaka; Yokohama & Tokyo 2027Nagoya opens July 5, 2026Japanese
GermanyMackintosh RestagedUpcomingMusical Dome Köln, ColognePreviews Nov 5, 2026; opens Nov 15, 2026German
RomaniaNon-ReplicaRepertory, activeOpera Națională, BucharestSept 3–21, 2026 runRomanian
SerbiaNon-ReplicaRepertory, activePozorište na Terazijama, BelgradeOngoing into 2026Serbian
NorwayLikely Non-Replica (unconfirmed)UpcomingFolketeateret, OsloPremieres Sept 2, 2027Likely Norwegian (unconfirmed)
NetherlandsReplica (1986)UpcomingNieuwe Luxor Theater, RotterdamSpring 2028 (est.)Dutch
HungaryNon-ReplicaRepertory, activeMadách Színház, BudapestNext run November 28 – December 12, 2026; further dates released in batchesHungarian
AustraliaNon-ReplicaClosed (archive)Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, SydneySeasons: 2022 and Mar 27–May 3, 2026English

Disclaimer: This guide is completely unofficial and not affiliated with any of the productions listed. Casts, dates, and even whether a show is running can change quickly. Always confirm current details through the official production and venue channels before booking travel.

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