Exclusive: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh reveal musical theatre stars set to appear in Phantom of the Opera at Edinburgh Festival Theatre

HAVING wowed Capital audiences as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, musical theatre star Killian Donnelly is to return to Edinburgh to play the title role in The Phantom of the Opera, when the touring production comes to the Festival Theatre, later this year.

Killian Donnelly

Donnelly, who is known to Edinburgh audiences from his triumphant performance as Jean Valjean in the international tour of Les Misérables in 2019, will play the eponymous Phantom in the smash hit musical when it comes to the Nicolson Street theatre for a six-week season from Wednesday 23 September to Saturday 31 October.

He will be joined on stage by Holly-Anne Hull as Christine Daaé, Rhys Whitfield as Raoul and Saori Oda as Carlotta Giudicelli. Other principals announced are Adam Linstead as Monsieur André, Matt Harrop as Monsieur Firmin, Francesca Ellis as Madame Giry, Greg Castiglioni as Ubaldo Piangi and Ellie Young as Meg Giry.

The Phantom of the Opera tells the tale of a disfigured musical genius known only as The Phantom who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House. Mesmerised by the talents and beauty of a young soprano, Christine, the Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine’s love for Raoul, the Phantom’s obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness and passions collide.

Now in its 34th year in London's West End, The Phantom of the Opera, with a romantic, haunting and soaring score by Lloyd Webber, the musical includes the much loved songs Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, Masquerade and the iconic title song.

Now one of the most successful musicals in entertainment history, having played to more than 145 million people in 41 countries and 183 cities in 17 languages, The Phantom of the Opera has won more than 70 major theatre awards, including seven Tony Awards and four Olivier Awards.

The touring cast for the Festival Theatre run is completed by Brad Barnley, Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong, Corina Clark, Edward Court, Vinny Coyle, Lily De-La-Haye, Hywel Dowsell, Connor Ewing, Erin Flaherty, James Gant, Lydia Gerrard, Daniel Hall, Eilish Harmon-Beglan, Yukina Hasebe, Hettie Hobbs, Jacob Hughes, Grace Hume, James Hume, Michaela Leisk, Janet Mooney, Ian Mowat, Michael Robert-Lowe, Anna Simmons, Nikki Skinner, Anouk Van Laake, Louis Van Leer, Jasmine Wallis and Andrew York.

The Phantom of the Opera, Festival Theatre, Nicolson Street, Wednesday 23 September to Saturday 31 October, www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/the-phantom-of-the-opera​