Ramin Karimloo London's youngest ever Phantom

Ramin Karimloo London's youngest ever 'Phantom'

Cast changes in The Phantom of the Opera from 10 Sep 2007 at Her Majesty's Theatre.

28 year old Ramin Karimloo will become London's youngest ever 'Phantom' and Alex Rathgeber will take over the role of 'Raoul'. At the same time Benjamin Lake will take over the role of 'Piangi'.

Ramin Karimloo's extensive theatre work includes playing 'Enjolras' in "Les Misérables" at the Queen's Theatre in London and 'Chris' in the UK tour of 'Miss Saigon'. As 'Enjolras', he performed in front of Her Majesty The Queen at Windsor Castle in a special concert production of "Les Misérables" celebrating the centenary of the Entente Cordiale. Alex Rathgeber, who has performed widely in his native Australia, makes his West End stage debut as 'Raoul'.

The musical will continue to star Robyn North and Leila Benn Harris sharing the role of 'Christine'. Wendy Ferguson (Carlotta), James Barron (Monsieur Firmin), Sam Hiller (Monsieur André), Heather Jackson (Madame Giry) and Lyndsey Wise (Meg Giry).

The Phantom of the Opera has been playing in London since 1986, and will celebrate its 21st London birthday on 9 October this year.

Worldwide Phantom of the Opera has grossed over £1.7 billion. The box office revenues are higher than any film or stage play in history, including "Titanic", "ET" and "Star Wars". It has been seen in at least 124 cities in 25 countries and played to over 100 million people.

Directed by Harold Prince, it has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart .

'This haunting musical traces the tragic love story of a beautiful opera singer and a young composer shamed by his physical appearance into a shadowy existence beneath the majestic Opera Paris House.'

It is currently taking bookings to 27 Sep 2008.