Phantom’s Phenomenal Premiere at NMACC, Mumbai

Lloyd Webber’s iconic The Phantom of the Opera makes its grand Mumbai debut at NMACC, enchanting India with its haunting mystery and sublime score.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical, The Phantom of the Opera, waltzed into Mumbai this month, casting its spell with majestic melodies and mesmerizing mystery. This timeless tale of love, loss, and longing has captivated Indian audiences with its haunting score and spectacular stagecraft. Hosted at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), the grand opening saw Lady Madeleine Lloyd Webber, wife of the composer, joining Nita Ambani for the premiere. To mark the occasion, Lady Madeleine presented Nita Ambani with one of the original Phantom masks from the musical’s debut in the 1980s, adding a touch of theatrical history to the night.

Running from March 5 to 30, 2025, The Phantom of the Opera marks a monumental moment in Mumbai’s theatre landscape, where Broadway brilliance seamlessly merges with Mumbai’s vibrant arts scene.



Gaston Leroux’s gothic novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra, published in 1910, has endured as an eternal enigma—a haunting symphony of passion, pain, and peril. Set in the opulent halls of the Paris Opera House, The Phantom of the Opera follows the enigmatic, exiled, and disfigured Phantom—a tormented musical genius who haunts the theatre’s labyrinthine depths. Beneath the stage, he orchestrates Christine Daaé’s rise, whispering secrets and shaping her voice with an obsessive devotion. Yet, while he longs for her love, Christine is drawn to the gallant Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny. Themes of obsession and artistry, love and longing, fate and freedom intertwine in this mesmerising theatrical masterpiece.

Since its unveiling in 1986 in West End, London, and breakthrough in 1988 in Broadway, New York, The Phantom of the Opera has captivated over 160 million spectators across 200 cities and has been staged in 21 languages worldwide. With towering triumphs, this crowning glory of classical theatre remained Broadway’s longest-running production until it closed in late 2023.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece, with timeless melodies like The Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, and the electrifying, echoing anthem The Phantom of the Opera, envelops audiences in a symphony of suspense and seduction. The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), inaugurated in 2023, has quickly emerged as India’s premier international arts hub. Nestled in Mumbai’s dynamic Bandra-Kurla Complex, this grand venue hosts The Phantom of the Opera at The Grand Theatre—a 2,000-seat architectural marvel designed for immersive storytelling. NMACC founder Nita Ambani, a passionate patron of the arts, remarked, “Even among the incredible international productions we’ve brought to India, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ sets a special benchmark. It is an experience, and I cannot wait for Indian audiences to witness its grandeur.”


Commanding Charm: The Mumbai production preserves the powerful poetry of the original while introducing subtle storytelling surprises. The cast includes Jonathan Roxmouth as the Phantom, portraying a complex yet captivating character who sings with soul and sorrow; Grace Roberts as Christine Daaé, a soprano sensation with a voice that soars, shimmers, and stirs the soul and Matt Leisy as Raoul, Christine’s dashing, devoted, and determined protector. “There have been very few changes to the original production since its West End opening, which I believe points to the brilliance of the original creative team. The story, music, and design still resonate strongly today,” says associate director Rainer Fried. The Phantom of the Opera signals a significant shift in India’s burgeoning Broadway culture. As previous productions like The Lion King and Disney’s Aladdin have shown, Indian audiences are hungry for high-calibre, heart-pounding musicals.
By hosting blockbuster Broadway brilliance, NMACC is opening new operatic avenues for future productions like Les Misérables, Wicked, or Hamilton to grace Indian shores.

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