Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera: A Behind-the-Mask Look at the Global Phenomenon - Hardcover

Maher-Smith, Kat; Slavin, Nicola

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593840070 ISBN 13: 9780593840078

Publisher: Ten Speed Press, 2026

Synopsis

A vibrant celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic multi-award winning musical, exploring its rich history, with letters from its cast, crew, and global fanbase, and featuring exclusive photos and archival materials.

Since its opening night in 1986, Phantom of the Opera has become not only one of the longest-running musicals, but one of the most globally renowned productions of all time. This celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera features exclusive stories from the cast and crew, unearthed archival documents, and brand new never-before-seen photography, with an in-depth look at how the story came to be and the expansive future it holds.

From the Phantom’s labyrinthine underworld to Christine’s lamplit dressing room to the dreamlike grandeur of the Opera House rooftop at twilight, the evocative power of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera has always extended far beyond its theatrical setting.

Starting with the show’s creation (including the writing process, set design, and costume), Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera takes a deep dive of the show’s storied characters; then explores the show’s global fanbase, including popular international tours in over 58 countries and a smash-hit movie in 2004; and celebrates the exciting and innovative ways in which the world of Phantom continues to expand, with a look at what’s to come in the future.

Visually rich and packed with enchanting and fascinating storytelling, this book will delight Phantom fans, both new and old.

About this title

About the Author

Kat Maher-Smith is development director at LW Entertainment, a role she has held since 2025. Her career in entertainment development spans some of the world’s best-loved characters and stories, from Harry Potter and the Wizarding World to Peppa Pig, shaping stories across film, TV, and major publishing. She is known for her sharp creative vision and her ability to bring globally loved storytelling worlds to life. Maher-Smith is a die-hard Phantom and Love Never Dies fan, and working on this book and with Andrew has been a dream come true.

Nicola Slavin is a writer and editorial copywriter, specializing in global entertainment brands, major intellectual property, and the estates of some of the world’s biggest authors. She has written extensively about Phantom of the Opera and many Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals as a feature writer for The Box Five Club. In 2024, she provided additional editorial text for From the Wizarding Archive (Pottermore Publishing), a curated three-part Harry Potter ebook series featuring eighty world-building articles and anecdotes by J.K. Rowling. Her other writing credits include projects with Warner Bros., the Roald Dahl Story Company, digital publisher Wonderbly, and audio storytelling platform tonies.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Introduction


From the Phantom’s labyrinthine underworld to Christine’s lamplit dressing room and the dreamlike grandeur of the Opéra Populaire rooftop at twilight, the evocative power of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera has always extended far beyond its grand setting.

Since it first premiered in London in 1986, Phantom has soundtracked lives, shaped careers, and captured imaginations with its sweeping drama and timeless romance, underscored by Lloyd Webber’s iconic and beautiful music. At the time of Phantom celebrating its fortieth phenomenal year, it has played to more than 160 million people in 217 cities, 58 territories, and 23 languages, and today, every performance, every chandelier crash, and every expression of the Phantom story continues to enchant audiences across the world, just as the very first performance did at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London in September 1986. They are all part of the global phenomenon that is Phantom of the Opera.

“Phantom of the Opera is the only show that I have been involved or ever will be involved with where not one bar of music was changed between the first preview and the opening night.”—Andrew Lloyd Webber

Edition details

• Publisher: Ten Speed Press
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0593840070
• ISBN 13: 9780593840078
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320