Forty years of the Phantom of the Opera - the show that wouldn’t die: ‘People come back to hear the impossible’
As Andrew Lloyd Webber’s enduring gothic melodrama celebrates its 40th birthday, producer Cameron Mackintosh and cast members from down the years recall what makes it so special
September 2026
UK startup snares $20m to recreate gigs with ‘hyper-realistic’ digital avatars
Unit1 hopes to offer lower cost version of shows such as Abba Voyage, showcasing living and dead artists in any venue
August 2026
Digested week
Digested week: Humid New York or London’s oven-blast heat? Tough one to call
Emma Brockes
Plus, heartbreakingly brilliant Cats: the Jellicle Ball, summer reads and Taylor Swift’s low-key wedding
Cats review – it’s a jellicle jumble as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s moggies get the zoomies
Macavity and co are back, with the balance in Drew McOnie’s stylish revival tipped in favour of dance and acrobatics over storytelling
‘Never felt so scared’: the Cats obsessive who’s created a feral dance version of the purr-fect musical
Drew McOnie skipped school to audition for the original. It launched his astonishing career. Now he’s getting his claws into a no-pussyfooting version of the classic hit
July 2026
Andrew Lloyd Webber says Broadway in ‘dire danger’ as Cats musical announces early closing
Jesus Christ Superstar review – Sam Ryder raises the roof in rock opera turned up to 11
April 2026
Rachel Zegler’s award-winning Evita to hit Broadway in 2027
After an acclaimed, Olivier-winning run on the West End, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical revival will transfer to New York
Eyes on the prize! Backstage at the Olivier awards 2026 – in pictures
Guardian photographer David Levene was at the Royal Albert Hall to photograph the stars and the special performances at London’s biggest night of theatre
‘So beautiful’: Rachel Zegler hails accessibility of Evita’s free balcony scene
No need for hard stares as Paddington: The Musical triumphs at Olivier awards
Cats: The Jellicle Ball review – ingenious musical revival goes full queer ball
November 2025
Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas review – Lloyd Webber and Rice reunite for festive felonies
Eurovision hero Sam Ryder takes on role as Jesus Christ Superstar
September 2025
Masquerade review – Phantom of the Opera is back with a new gimmick
An immersive, experiential reworking of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long-running musical turns it into something resembling a mostly fun theme park ride
August 2025
Jesus Christ Superstar review – Cynthia Erivo leads rousing LA revival
The best theatre to stream this month
The best theatre to stream this month: tailoring comedy Alterations gets a fitting tribute
July 2025
Jesus Christ Superstar review – innovative, emotional revival is divinely inspired
Evita review – Rachel Zegler is phenomenal but Jamie Lloyd’s rock show drowns out the story
June 2025
Everybody’s talking about Jamie Lloyd: the explosive rise of superstar director masterminding Evita
The maverick behind Tom Holland’s Romeo and Nicole Scherzinger’s Sunset Boulevard is now stunning passersby with Rachel Zegler’s Palladium balcony scene
