"Phantom 25th Anniversary UK and Ireland Tour" England Travelogue by spidermiss

I'm a big fan of 'The Phantom of the Opera' and have seen the show many times. When I learnt about the UK and Ireland Tour of the show I've decided to follow it in many cities as possible. Because of costs and logistics issues I'm not seeing it at every city but plan to see it in many interesting cities as possible.

Phantom advertised at Plymouth Railway Station!

I went to see the show during the previews, a week before its Opening Night, at the Plymouth Theatre Royal and I thoroughly enjoyed the show. It's very different to the original production in London but it's just as amazing! I had the opportunity to meet the leading cast members after the show at the theatre's stage door which was great!

Phantom advertised on a Manchester Billboard!

I saw this amazing new production for the second time at Manchester's Palace Theatre. Seeing 'Phantom' in Manchester is and always will be special to me. I've seen Phantom on the previous tours there and Manchester was the first city I ever saw the show! Despite having a seat in the Circle with more or less no leg room, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the production and got to meet more members of the cast before and afterwards. I met up with a friend who is also a musicals fan and it was nice sharing the day with someone like minded!

I saw the production again in Manchester a month later (May 2012). We sat in the Grand Tier and the seats were probably the most uncomfortable ones I ever sat in. Even less leg room than last time so I had to stretch out in the aisle (luckily my seat was an end one!). The actor who plays Phantom wasn't on, due to illness, and instead we had an understudy who had made his debut. The understudy did a great job as Phantom even if I much prefer the actor who usually plays the role!

Bristol's Hippodrome

My fourth visit to the show was at
Bristol's Hippodrome which is celebrating 100 years of its existence in 2012. I paid a considerable fortune for a back dress circle seat and it wasn't the most comfortable with no leg room (Decided from this point forward I'll go for Stalls seats in the future as these generally have more leg room!). Despite the seats, the show was fantastic as ever and was very happy meeting some of the cast especially the actor who is the understudy for Phantom afterwards at Stage Door!

Phantom of the Opera in Leeds!

I chose not to travel to Dublin because of travel costs and logistics and will now wait for the tour to visit my home city, Leeds! It's very exciting for the musical to come to Leeds and I look forward getting to know more of my city as well as having my Phantom fix during August and September 2012!

After waiting a while since I learnt Phantom was going to come to Leeds Grand Theatre I took the opportunity to see it as many times as possible during its six weeks run! I've managed to see the production 10 times in Leeds and I've got fond memories to treasure on my life long Phantom journey. Please click onto my Phantom in Leeds Travelogue for further information.

Next Stop, Edinburgh. Please click onto this link.

Inside the Wales Millennium Centre, Wales

After Edinburgh (please click onto this link) Milton Keynes was the Seventh Stop to play host to the production. I chose not to see it Milton Keynes but instead saw it on the Eight Stop in Cardiff (please click onto this link).

Me outside the Empire Theatre, Liverpool

Ninth Stop was in Southampton but chose not to see it there because of logistics but saw it in Liverpool.
Liverpool Empire Theatre

Under Construction

Birmingham Hippodrome

The eleventh and final stop was at Birmingham's Hippodrome where I saw the two performances including the tour's last night's performance in May 2013.
Birmingham Hippodrome

Under construction.