The Origins of the Beloved Musical: A Look at the Phantom of the Opera Lyrics Original London Cast

Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical, The Phantom of the Opera, has been thrilling audiences for decades with its haunting music and tragic love story. While the show is widely known today, few people are aware of the behind-the-scenes struggles that went into creating its original lyrics. In this article, we'll delve into the fascinating history of how the phantom's words came to be.

The musical was first conceived by Lloyd Webber in the late 1970s, with Charles Hart initially brought on board to help shape the lyrics. However, Lloyd Webber soon felt that Hart's contributions were too witty and clever, rather than romantic. In a surprising turn of events, Richard Stilgoe, who would later go on to write the lyrics for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express, was enlisted to rework the lyrics.

Stilgoe brought his own unique touch to the project, penning many of the song titles and contributing significantly to the show. However, it wasn't long before Lloyd Webber became dissatisfied with Stilgoe's work once again, citing that they were too focused on clever wordplay rather than conveying the emotional depth he desired.

Undeterred, Lloyd Webber turned his attention to Ilan Jay Lerner, who was initially approached to help with the project. Tragically, Lerner passed away soon after beginning work on the show, leaving none of his contributions intact. It seemed as though Phantom would never come to fruition, but Lloyd Webber refused to give up.

In a surprising twist, Lloyd Webber decided to take matters into his own hands and rework the lyrics himself. This marked the beginning of the musical's iconic sound, with songs like 'Think of Me' taking center stage. Interestingly, this song was originally written for an unplaced tune by Lloyd Webber, but Charles Hart's rewrites ended up being discarded in favor of Stilgoe's contributions.

The show's eventual success is a testament to Lloyd Webber's dedication and perseverance. His partnership with Sarah Brightman, his then-wife, also played a significant role in shaping the musical's sound. The song 'Married Man' was written specifically for Brightman, although it underwent significant changes before its final version.

In conclusion, the original London cast of Phantom of the Opera lyrics is a fascinating tale of creative collaboration and perseverance. From Charles Hart to Richard Stilgoe and Ilan Jay Lerner, each lyricist brought their unique voice to the project before Andrew Lloyd Webber ultimately took the reins. The resulting musical has become an enduring classic, captivating audiences around the world with its haunting beauty and tragic love story.

Phantom of the opera lyrics original london cast