Ken Hill's "PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" Peter Straker / James Saxon 1984 London Flyer

Description

This is a rare single page advertising handbill (flyer) promoting the opening of the Original London production of the KEN HILL musical "THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in London. (The production played one preview on May 8th, 1984, officially opened May 9th, 1984 and played a limited one month run, closing June 9th, 1984.) ..... The musical premiered on July 26th, 1976 at the Duke's Playhouse in Lancaster, England with a book by KEN HILL and a modern score by IAN ARMIT. In 1984, Hill revised the show, discarding the modern score and writing original English lyrics backed by 18th, 19th and early 20th century opera arias, creating a musical that reflected the era in which the original novel was written. This updated version was produced jointly by the Newcastle Playhouse and the
Theatre Royal Stratford East, first opening April 3rd,
1984 in Newcastle. The musical starred PETER STRAKER in the title role, CHRISTINE COLLIER as "Christine Daae" and JAMES SAXTON as "Raoul" and featured JOHN ARON, HALUK BILGINER, RON EMSLIE, GARY LYONS, FRANCHINE MULROONEY, TONI PALMER, GORDON REID and LYNN SCHOFIELD ..... Side note: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, his wife SARAH BRIGHTMAN and producer CAMERON MACKINTOSH attended a performance of Ken Hill's
Phantom of the Opera
at the
Theatre Royal Stratford East. Prompted by the good reviews, they approached Hill about the possibility of collaborating on a grand scale version of his
Phantom of the Opera
in the West End. But in the end, Lloyd Webber chose to pursue the musical on his own, and the rest is history
..... CREDITS: Book, Music and Lyrics by KEN HILL based on the original novel by GASTON LEROUX; Music by VERDI, GOUNOD, OFFENBACH, MOZART, WEBER, DONIZETTI and BOITO; Directed by KEN HILL; Produced by THE THEATRE ROYAL STRATFORD EAST and TYNEWEAR THEATRE COMPANY in association with the ARTS COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN ..... DETAILS: Advertising handbills (heralds) were distributed or inserted into the playbills of other productions to help generate ticket sales for upcoming shows and events. This single page, two-sided handbill measures 5 7/8" X 8 1/4" inches and includes wonderful graphics and performance dates on the front and promotional text, cast list, and performance schedule, ticket prices and booking information on the backside ..... CONDITION: With the exception of light edge wear, this rare handbill is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.