The Phantom of the Opera
2024
Phantom of the Opera
2024
Phantom of the Opera
2024
What the audience said about our production...
Derby Youth Musical Theatre delivered a masterful, polished, and deeply moving production, one I won’t soon forget
I had the pleasure of watching The Phantom of the Opera at Derby Theatre, performed by Derby Youth Musical Theatre, and it surpassed every expectation.
My daughter had bought four tickets on a whim, and I hadn’t realised we were about to see a youth production. Upon arriving and discovering the young cast, I adjusted my expectations, keen to support their efforts but prepared for a touch of inexperience. How wrong I was!
From the very first note, this production was a revelation. Every element was executed with remarkable precision and passion: the orchestra was flawless, the ensemble utterly compelling, the choreography seamless, and the production values outstanding. And as for the leads… they were the crowning glory, carrying their singing and acting roles with astonishing maturity and depth.
I’m not usually one to wax lyrical, but I was spellbound. Where I thought I might slip out at the interval, I found myself riveted, hanging on every scene, every note. The second half somehow surpassed the brilliance of the first, building to a powerful and unforgettable finale.
As the final notes echoed, the audience rose in a spontaneous, well-deserved standing ovation, testament to the incredible talent and dedication on display. This performance was, without a doubt, on par with West End performances I’ve seen.
Derby Youth Musical Theatre delivered a masterful, polished, and deeply moving production, one I won’t soon forget.
Well done to all of you involved - knockout!
Matt Watson
Amazing, outstanding and spectacular
I have seen Phantom twice on the West End and I came because it’s my all time favourite.
After watching it, I'm absolutely speechless! Your production was truly amazing, outstanding and spectacular. The singing and characterisation were sensational. The costumes, set, props, lighting, effects, the orchestra (I loved being able to see the orchestra, it really added to the atmospheric design) ...the list goes on and on.
After seeing the performances last night, I would snap you up in a moment if I was directing on the West End!
How proud must your family and friends be of you all! Time to celebrate a major success!
Sonia Hardy
Tremendous performance with incredible passion
My family and I went to see the final showing of the Derby Youth Musical Theatre's Phantom of the Opera.
Having already seen it six times in West end London and once in Broadway New York, I can truly say Derby Youth Musical Theatre are second to none!
What a tremendous performance and what incredible passion! Three of us were crying at the end it was so emotional.
Thank you to the cast, the orchestra and technical team for making such a fabulous stage show.
Jo Salloway
Simply magnificent, an absolute triumph
I've been watching musical theatre since 1991, mostly the many excellent amateur musical societies in the Notts/ Derby area.
This was THE finest 'amateur' (it wasn't really) show I have had the pleasure to see.
From the costumes, set, orchestra, and the cast - it was simply magnificent.
You could easily transplant the whole show to His Majesty's Theatre in the West End and it wouldn't look any different to what's currently there - it was simply that good.
Well done to everyone involved. What an absolute triumph!
Steve Fowkes
Absolutely amazing performance
A completely unexpected treat this afternoon from my daughter and what a treat it was, absolutely amazing performance by everyone involved!
I cannot believe how professional you all were - acting, dancing and singing were all spot on and West End worthy. The set and costumes were fabulous.
Not wanting to single anyone out, as you were all incredible, but to the young man who played the Phantom - you were truly mesmerising, your voice and mannerisms were beyond belief, you have a true gift.
And to the young lady who played Christine - ‘your’ Christine was perfectly beautiful.
Kenley Jane Riley
Truly stunning production of such power and beauty
I first saw Phantom in London in July 1988 with Michael Ball; we saw a production in Las Vegas in 2008 and many others over the years.
But honestly today we saw a truly stunning production of such power and beauty in Derbyshire by Derby Youth Musical Theatre that moved me so much more then ever before!
That cast and orchestra! Everyone was beyond amazing. The Phantom broke me today, he was West End standard.
Everyone who made this production possible should be beyond proud of what you have achieved.
Bravo!
Andrew Harrison
We recommend DYMT to any young person with a passion for musical theatre
My daughter was fortunate enough to have a principal role in The Phantom of the Opera, and I have to say the opportunity be a part of this amazing show for this fabulous professional and supportive company has been absolutely brilliant from start to finish.
Having the opportunity to perform at Derby Theatre for the six shows and experience working with a 17 piece orchestra and other extraordinarily talented young performers has been one we’ll not forget as a family, and we recommend Derby Youth Musical Theatre to any other young person with a passion for musical theatre.
Clare Radmore
What the reviewers wrote...
It is clear that Derby Youth Musical Theatre sits above many other amateur groups
For their latest production, Derby Youth Musical Theatre bring Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical to the stage, transporting the audience to a Parisian opera house, where a mysterious Phantom is at work…
From the opening moments of this production, it is clear that DYMT sits above many other amateur groups, in terms of both ability and production values. The cast, all of whom are aged 21 or under, are immensely talented, fit to rival any West End production, expertly delivering phenomenal renditions of the famous musical tracks, which include Music of the Night, Masquerade and, of course, The Phantom of the Opera. The fact that the cast is supported by a 17 piece orchestra, conducted by Tim Robinson, elevates the production even higher.
The tale begins at an auction of various opera-related paraphernalia, which culminates in Lot 666 – a broken chandelier. It is there that Raoul (Lucas Shirtcliffe) begins to reminisce about events in his youth, and the broken chandelier is raised into place as the orchestra belts out the oh-so-familiar haunting theme. We are swiftly introduced to Opera stars Carlotta (Imogen Clark) and Piangi (Billy Sweet). Clark in particular is an excellent soprano singer, effortlessly belting out Hannibal, whilst Sweet perfects the Italian accent, which is the source of many jokes as he continually butts heads with maestro Monsieur Reyer (Oscar Drake, one of many superb supporting cast members).
Monsieur Firmin (Findlay Parker) and Monsieur André (Ben Mather) take over management of the opera house, but they struggle to control their cast, and as the Phantom begins to cause more and more problems for them, their day goes from bad to worse. Both Parker and Mather are excellent comic actors, and their physical reactions made for many funny moments, although I felt that occasionally this clashed with the tone of the rest of the production. Thankfully ballet mistress Madame Giry (Evie Radmore) is on hand to keep the performers in check, but there is further trouble ahead.
After an interruption by a strange voice, Carlotta storms off, leaving Christine (the excellent Katie Chamberlain) to take the lead in the opera, where she is spotted by Raoul, watching from the audience. Chamberlain’s performance throughout is beautifully understated, as she gradually falls under the Phantom’s spell. The chemistry between Chamberlain and Louis Chadburn as the Phantom is electric, first glimpsed during The Phantom of the Opera, as Christine is taken to the Phantom’s lair beneath the opera house. It isn’t long before Chadburn takes the spotlight properly during Music of the Night, allowing us to see the Phantom’s more emotional, human side before the violent, manic side takes over during the second act.
The final scene between Chadburn, Chamberlain and Shirtcliffe (Past the Point of No Return) is mesmerising, each of the actors expertly pulling the audience’s emotions in all directions, as the Phantom goes from a figure of hate to one of sorrow. Chadburn displays the full emotional range necessary for such a complex role, so that by the time he changes his mind and lets Christine go, his motivations are well understood.
I felt as though I’d seen a West End production
The set (Charlotte Daniel, Chris Moss), costume (Judith Evans) and choreography (Caroline Green) are all to be heavily commended – in particular the falling chandelier which closed the first act! I often try to offer a balanced opinion in these reviews, but it is honestly very difficult to find any negatives here. This production, directed by Daniel and Green, is definitely worthy of lashings of praise. I felt as though I’d seen a West End production – without having to pay the West End prices. I shall certainly be looking out for DYMT’s next production - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, November 2025.
Review by Tom Morley
Broken Legs Blog
A wonderful production and the work that has gone into it really shows
Here's a question for you... What's the difference between a West End production of "Phantom" and this production by Derby Youth Musical Theatre? As far as I could see, nothing!
It's a wonderful production and the work that has gone into producing it really shows. From the scenery, special effects, the brilliantly creative lighting, the brilliant orchestra, and the sound, to the actors that pull it all together on stage, it's a joy to behold.
The Phantom and Christine
When I first heard that unworldly voice of The Phantom, I went cold, and that was just the start of an evening of tingles from several members of this out of this world cast. The yearning for love and to be accepted and the hurt that the Phantom gave out was one of the most powerful and emotional performance that I have seen of the Phantom ever!
Christine's voice simply soars with every high note and made me appreciate the character of Christine. "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" made my spine tingle.
Probably the best performance of Phantom that I have seen on stage
I was gobsmacked when the Phantom just seemed to disappear from the middle of the stage when the cast scattered. It is probably the best performance of "Phantom Of The Opera" that I have seen on stage.
The ballet sequences are beautifully relaxing to watch, and the faster choreography just sweeps you along with the story.
The wonderful seventeen piece orchestra is incorporated within the set, looking completely natural as part of the Opera Theatre set up. There's a mezzanine area which allows the Phantom to escape into his area of the theatre and down a set of steps back onto the stage. I love that the vessel to transport Christine and The Phantom into his underworld actually appears to glide around the stage like a boat, sailing on a sea of fog. Everything has been thought of in this production.
A full theatre standing ovation
I think that I can safely say that this production is a whopping big success. A full theatre standing ovation is something that you cannot argue with, and it was so lovely to see the reactions of some of the cast when they took their final bows to that sort of reception.
Review by Kev Castle