The Phantom of the Opera Breaks New Ground in India

On Wednesday 5^th March, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera officially opened its doors to Indian audiences for the first time at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre – a first-of-its-kind, multidisciplinary destination in the sphere of art and culture.

This global milestone comes as The Phantom of the Opera continues its multi-year International Tour which, since 2019, has brought the multi-award-winning musical to millions of fans across China, the Middle East, Singapore, Thailand - and now India.  

Andrew Lloyd Webber said:

“25 years ago, I knew we had to bring A.R. Rahman’s music to London and Broadway. This became our thrilling and exciting production of Bombay Dreams. I am absolutely delighted that it’s finally time to share my beloved Phantom with Indian audiences. I wish everyone at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre a brilliant season.”

Harjinder Kang, His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for South Asia and the British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India said:

What a show! Last night I attended the Mumbai Premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece, The Phantom of the Opera, and was blown away. I am delighted it has arrived in India for the first time, and to the world-class NMACC Theatre.

This iconic British musical has been entertaining people worldwide since 1986. Culture crosses boundaries. Art that moves us, moves everyone. We can look forward to more exchanges of art and creativity between India and UK, just like this. The Phantom of the Opera is the latest great show to come to India from the UK. With a booming middle class, cultured and wealthy: India is a promising growth market for UK theatre.

London’s West End is the biggest and most vibrant centre of theatre in the world. More than 40 theatres mean incredible variety, and that is why a quarter of international visitors to London take in a West End Show. Now the West End meets Mumbai. The Phantom of the Opera – a show so popular it has already been performed in 40 countries and 183 cities worldwide – is a British gem. The rapturous reception it got last night shows the global appeal of UK culture.”

The Phantom of the Opera’s Indian debut comes as the brand continues to expand its global influence across theatre and other entertainment platforms.  

Since opening in 1986 in London, The Phantom of the Opera has now played to over 160 million people in 195 cities in 21 languages. By the end of 2025, 7 separate theatrical productions of The Phantom of the Opera will be running around the world. This includes The Phantom of the Opera’s first-ever tour of Spain and the return of the brilliant original to the US as Phantom embarks on a new country-wide tour. In London at His Majesty’s Theatre, Phantom’s home since 1986, the show is stronger than ever before.  

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James McKnight, CEO of Really Useful Group, said:

“Last night’s opening in India, one of the world’s fastest growing and most exciting markets, demonstrates that the demand for this unique global brand is as strong as ever. As we approach 40 years since Phantom first opened in London, we have never seen a larger and more engaged fan base for this iconic centrepiece of Andrew’s amazing body of work. We have ambitious and exciting plans for Phantom across the world and there couldn’t be a better time to bring this thrilling production to India in the stunning Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.”  

The Phantom of the Opera is playing at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre from 5th March – 30th March 2025.

The Phantom of the Opera International Tour is produced by The Really Useful Group and Crossroads Live.