Love Never Dies 1

Andrew Lloyd Webber's




October 12, 2010
Embargoed until 8 a.m., Tuesday, October 12, 2010





LOVE NEVER DIES, the continuing story of The Phantom
of the Opera, will have its Australian premiere in
Melbourne's Regent Theatre in May 2011. Andrew Lloyd
Webber announced this in London today.



Speaking by satellite from London to media at the Queen's the box office more than the combined box office takings
Hall in Victoria's Parliament House, he said the production of the two top grossing films of all time, Avatar and Titanic.
would also have its own, unique, Australian stamp.
Produced by Lloyd Webber's Asia Pacific representative `The Phantom of the Opera is the most successful single
Tim McFarlane, it will be directed by Melbourne's Simon entertainment of all time,' he said. `Over two tours of
Phillips and have a new design by Sydney based Gabriela Australia and New Zealand, in 1990 -1998 and 2007-2009, it
Tylesova. has been enjoyed by more than five million people. Those
who saw "Phantom" and loved the show will be excited to
Nationwide auditions will begin in a fortnight - on Monday see how the story continues and all those who appreciate
October 25, the same day tickets go on sale. Waitlisting music theatre will be thrilled by LOVE NEVER DIES.'
has begun through Ticketmaster, and people can join the
production's email registration list at loveneverdies.com.au The musical, the most awaited in decades, had its premiere
in London's Adelphi Theatre on March 9 this year. The
"The Phantom of the Opera is one of the most popular Independent called it `Phabulous!' The Express said, `The
theatre productions of all time and we are delighted that allure of the Phantom never dies,' the Telegraph called it
Andrew Lloyd Webber has chosen Melbourne to be the `Lloyd Webber's finest show since the original Phantom,'
second city in the world to stage the continuing story, LOVE and the Times, `Andrew Lloyd Webber at his musical best.'
NEVER DIES," Minister for the Arts Tim Holding, speaking
at today's media conference, said. Mr Holding said that theatre was a key part of Melbourne's
major events calendar. "Over the last four years, blockbuster
Andrew Lloyd Webber said the Australian production would theatre shows such as Wicked, Jersey Boys and currently,
be only the second in the world. The composer of The Mary Poppins have drawn hundreds of thousands of
Phantom of the Opera said, `I have a great affiliation with interstate and overseas visitors to Melbourne ensuring that
Australia. My musicals have always done exceptionally well our hotels, restaurants and famous retail precincts are busy
there. I have worked internationally with many of Australia's throughout the year," Mr Holding said.
finest theatrical talent.'
"Following the success of Wicked, Jersey Boys and Mary
Tim McFarlane, Producer, The Really Useful Company Asia Poppins, securing the Australian premiere of LOVE NEVER
Pacific, said The Phantom of the Opera had been seen in DIES strengthens Melbourne's position as the theatre
149 cities around the world and taken more than $5 billion at capital of Australia".

UG 2010
R




FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: SUZIE HOWIE, HOWIE & TAYLOR PUBLICITY
0416 066507 [email protected]

LoveNeverDies.com.au


Andrew Lloyd Webber's





Simon Phillips, Director of LOVE NEVER DIES says: In LOVE NEVER DIES,
one of the world's
"It's an honour to be working on an Australian production
of Andrew Lloyd Webber's dazzling new work. The score greatest love stories continues.
of LOVE NEVER DIES is truly ravishing, loaded with big
lyrical ballads and some taut and unforgettably hummable For years the Phantom haunted the depths of
ensembles. the Paris Opera House and isolated himself
from the world. It was not until he fell fiercely
"One of the early highlights in my directing career was a in love with a young soprano Christine Daa
production of Jesus Christ Superstar, but in the current that he first felt the rush of his existence.
climate of single versions of musicals playing forever I His love quickly grew into obsession, and
never thought I'd have the pleasure of directing a new work his madness drove Christine into the arms
by the undisputed master of contemporary musical theatre. of another - her childhood sweetheart Raoul.
"So I'm delighted that Andrew Lloyd Webber has chosen The year is 1907. It is 10 years after his
an Australian team to work on his inspired new structural disappearance from the Paris Opera House
changes, which promise to further intensify the thrills and and the Phantom has escaped to a new life
spills of the story as told in London. in New York where he has found a place
amongst the screaming joy rides and freak-
"I've already begun developing a design with Gabriela shows of Coney Island.
Tylesova, hoping to do with the razzamatazz of Coney
Island what Maria Bjornson's iconic Phantom designs did In this new electrically-charged world, he has
with the opulence of the Paris Opera, and I can't wait to start finally found a place for his music to soar. All
the search for the formidable talents required to do justice that is missing is his love - Christine Daa.
to the score!"

Now one of the world's finest sopranos,
Christine is struggling in an ailing marriage
LOVE NEVER DIES' premiere in London on March 9 to Raoul. So, it is with excitement she
coincided with the Australian release of Universal Music's accepts an invitation to travel to New York
double CD Album, recorded at Abbey Road Studios with and perform at a renowned opera house.
some of the London cast and more than 100 musicians. In a final bid to win back her love, the
Phantom lures Christine, her husband, and
George Ash, President Australasia of Universal Music their young son Gustave from Manhattan, to
Australia, said, "Andrew Lloyd Webber's success in Australia the glittering and glorious world of Coney
is beyond comparison. He has sold more cast recordings Island... unbeknownst of what is in store for
than any other composer in history and for us to be a her...
partner in the launch of LOVE NEVER DIES to Australian
audiences is an absolute honour."





UG 2010
R




FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: SUZIE HOWIE, HOWIE & TAYLOR PUBLICITY
0416 066507 [email protected]

LoveNeverDies.com.au