The Phantom Of The Opera is no longer in New York – and has taken its final bow after a record-breaking 35-year run on Broadway.
The show, which tells the story of a disfigured phantom who haunts a Paris opera house and falls in love with a singer there, was Broadway’s longest-running show, and ended its last performance to a rapturous standing ovation and gold confetti.
Members of the current – and previous – cast stood on stage at the end of the final performance in New York on Sunday alongside writer Andrew Lloyd Webber and his production collaborator Cameron Macintosh, to sing a reprise of The Music Of The Night.
Image: Andrew Lloyd Webber dedicated the show to his son. Pic: AP
Speaking to the audience in the Majestic Theatre, which was filled with the great and good of theatreland, Lloyd Webber dedicated the final show to his son Nick, who passed away from cancer last month at the age of 43.
“When he was a little boy, he heard some of this music,” he said.
Sarah Brightman, the original Christine and Lloyd Webber’s former wife, added: “When Andrew was writing it, he was right there. So his son is with us. Nick, we love you very much.”
Macintosh addressed the rumours that the show could make a return in the future, and said: “The one question I keep getting asked again and again – will the Phantom return?
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“Having been a producer for over 55 years, I’ve seen all the great musicals return, and Phantom is one of the greatest.
“So it’s only a matter of time.”
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There were also video presentations from previous actors in the show, while the stalls were filled with former Phantoms, Christines and Raouls, alongside the likes of Glenn Close and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
By the time it had closed, there had been 13,981 performances of the show.
Lloyd Webber said on Saturday that the show “probably” cost around £800,000 a week to run, and had a large orchestra and cast, as well as elaborate costumes and sets which pushed costs up.
The 75-year-old added that, unlike Macintosh, he doesn’t know if it will ever return to New York, saying he is “only the composer”.
Chicago now becomes Broadway’s active longest-running show, followed by Disney’s The Lion King.
The Phantom Of The Opera still runs in the West End in Her Majesty’s Theatre, which will be renamed in honour of the king over coronation weekend to reflect the new monarch.
British actor Terence Stamp – who famously played General Zod in Superman and Superman II – has died at the age of 87.
The Oscar-nominated actor, who was born in London’s East End, also starred in hits such as Theorem, A Season in Hell, and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
He formed one of Britain’s most glamorous couples with Julie Christie, with whom he starred in “Far From the Madding Crowd” in 1967.
In a statement, his family said: “He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come.”
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Fashion brand Topshop celebrated its relaunch with its first catwalk in seven years.
The company’s website promised everyone was invited as models strutted down a runway on Trafalgar Square in front of noughties fashion icons Cara Delevingne and Adwoa Aboah and the London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.
The label has been operating on the online fashion platform ASOS after ceasing to operate as a standalone business in 2020.
Image: Topshop held a catwalk in Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA
Image: A model on the catwalk
Its previous owner, Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia group, collapsed into administration and all of Topshop’s physical stores – including the Oxford Circus flagship in London’s West End – closed soon after.
Delevingne told Sky News she was “totally blown away” by the relaunch event.
“It was like nostalgia mixed with something eclectic but also something brand new,” she said.
“For me, it really brings back a time of exploration of my own fashion sense because I think for me at Topshop I got to discover so much.”
The model, who is working on a capsule collection for next year, has already unveiled a choice edit in this year’s show and said her relationship with Topshop precedes her fame.
She said: “I would go in and my friends would be like ‘you would look good in that’ and I would go ‘no, that’s not really me’, and then you’d try it on and be like ‘oh maybe I can explore more’.
“They really have everything for everyone, and I feel like they brought that back.”
The runway showcased highlights from its Autumn-Winter 2025 collection, as well as an early preview of pieces set to drop later this season, including showstopper gowns, the classic white tee, and an aloe vera-coloured faux fur coat that surely should not have been on display – to prevent just about everyone rushing to buy it.
Image: Topshop’s relaunch was staged at Trafalgar Square
Image: Models in front of the National Gallery in London’s Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA
Reclaiming the high street
But sharp tailoring and statement outerwear suggest the brand is ready to reclaim the high street.
Must-have denim pieces completed the womenswear line-up while the Topman collection screamed modern utility by blending refined formal wear with sharp new silhouettes.
Casual pieces are grounded by authentic denim in deep indigos, which stood out on Trafalgar Square’s magnificent stone steps.
Topshop’s relaunch comes as the high street continues to struggle and as the UK operation of Chinese fashion giant Shein announced pre-tax profits of £38.3m for the year, up some £14m from 2023.
‘Top end of the market’
Moses Rashid, global marketing director at Topshop/Topman said they are competing in a different space.
Image: Topshop has been operating on the online fashion platform ASOS after ceasing to operate as a standalone business in 2020
“We’re at the top end of the market. We’re about elevation. We pride ourselves on the quality of the product,” he said.
Those products are being designed in north London, and managing director Michelle Wilson said the aim is to stay that way.
“We are a British brand, we want to be a positive force for fashion. We want to bring London to the world. It’s fundamental to who we are as a brand, our style is very much London-driven.”
The majority Danish-owned company has suggested it will slow fashion down by opening physical stores where customers can touch the products, browse collections and try things on, though the flagship on Oxford Circus is unlikely to return because a Swedish fast furniture brand has since occupied the space.
Designer Wayne Hemingway has previously collaborated with Topshop and said the relaunch must be more than nostalgia.
“They can’t rely on their old customers because their old customers have now got kids of their own to spend their money on, and they’ve got mortgages and all of those things of what being an adult means.
“They’ve got to have designers, marketeers, people who understand – who are on the pulse – who understood, number one, what was a success back then, and also a young generation of people who are there saying, ‘this is what our generation needs’, and who are bright and can help deliver that. They can’t rely on the past.”
Jones said in a statement: “A few months ago, I had to stop my tour HA!MILTON because I needed treatment for prostate cancer. I’m glad to say I’ve had that treatment and am now cancer-free!
“So, many thanks to all the doctors and nurses who helped me get better – I couldn’t do their job (I tried, but apparently you have to be qualified).”
Thanking his family, friends and fans, he went on to joke: “I have to admit there were a few dark moments when I wondered if anyone would ever see me again, but then I realised that I was leaning against the light switch.
“Thankfully, I’m now in a completely different place, and if you look at my website, you’ll see that very soon I’ll be in lots of other different places on tour too”.
Jones picks up his tour on 15 September in Stafford, touring until the end of November 2025.
The show, whose name is a play on the title of the hit musical Hamilton, promises laughter and unforgettable comedy moments, as well as jokes about giraffes and tomatoes.
The Richmond-born comedian has been hailed as the king of the one-liner, basing his jokes on clever wordplay and surreal humour.
He has performed on Live At The Apollo, Lee Mack’s All Star Cast, and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.