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Dates
27 March–3 May 2026
Venue
Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney
Running time
Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, including one interval.
Recommended for ages 10+
This production contains sudden loud noises, simulated gun shots, themes of violence, pyrotechnics and depictions of hanging.
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By special arrangement with LW Entertainment
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The Phantom of the Opera
Principal Partner HSBC
| MUSIC ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER |
|
| LYRICS CHARLES HART |
ADDITIONAL LYRICS RICHARD STILGOE |
| BOOK RICHARD STILGOE & ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER |
|
The Music of the Night soars across Sydney Harbour. Let the spectacle astound you…
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global phenomenon returns on its 40th anniversary to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour in a critically acclaimed spectacular. Forty years ago The Phantom of the Opera burst onto the West End, becoming a sensation unlike anything the world had ever seen. Celebrate Phantom’s milestone anniversary in grand style, with the hotly anticipated return of our larger than-life staging on Sydney Harbour.
The story of a mysterious masked man living beneath the Paris Opera House, who falls madly in love with a young singer and employs every devious method to nurture her talents, has enthralled audiences for decades. It’s played to over 160 million people in 58 territories and 205 cities in 21 languages.
The iconic score is studded with hits: from the haunting beauty of ‘The Music of the Night’ and ‘All I Ask of You’ to the splendour of ‘Masquerade’, and the crashing chords of the title song.
Directed by Australia’s master of musical theatre, Simon Phillips, and with audacious costumes and sets by Gabriela Tylesova, this staging brings a whole new level of spectacle to the show’s defining moments – the mirror, the journey to the Phantom’s lair, the chandelier – on an enormous stage built over the water.
With themed pop-up bars and dining, fireworks every night, and a live orchestra hidden beneath the stage, this is an evening you’ll never forget.
“You will never forgive yourself if you don’t experience the unforgettable strains of ‘Music of the Night’ wafting over the harbour. ★★★★★”
Time Out
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - The Phantom of the Opera (2022 Australian cast)
Photographer: Hamilton Lund
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - The Phantom of the Opera (2022 Australian cast)
Photographer: Prudence Upton
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The Experience
Photographer: Daniel Boud
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - The Phantom of the Opera (2022 Australian cast)
Photographer: Prudence Upton
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The Experience
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - The Phantom of the Opera (2022 Australian cast)
Photographer: Prudence Upton
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The Experience
Photographer: Daniel Boud
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - The Phantom of the Opera (2022 Australian cast)
Photographer: Prudence Upton
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The Experience
Cast & Creative
Musical Supervisor
Director
Set & Costume Designer
Choreographer & Associate Director
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
The Phantom
Christine Daaé
Raoul, Vicomte De Chagny
Monsieur Firmin
Monsieur André
Madame Giry
Carlotta Giudicelli
Ubaldo Piangi
Meg Giry
Auctioneer
Jeweller
Monsieur Reyer
Passarino
Joseph Buquet
Hairdresser
Don Attilio
Confidante
Ensemble/Dance Captain
Ensemble
Swing
Make your evening extra special
The HSBC Platinum Club
Add a taste of luxury to your evening with pre-performance drinks and fine dining.
Enjoy exclusive access to an undercover pop-up restaurant and bar with uninterrupted views overlooking Sydney Harbour, exclusive menus, superior NSW wines, five-star table service, and dedicated restrooms.
Get to know the production
Cheat Sheet: The Phantom of the Opera
The world’s most popular musical returns to Australia, taking centre stage at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
Did you know there really is a lake underneath the Paris Opera? Here’s everything you need to know…
Page to Stage: The Phantom of the Opera
A look at Gabriela Tylesova’s stunning designs for The Phantom of the Opera at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour.
The history of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
From La Traviata to The Phantom of the Opera. Find out more about the spectacular 10-year history of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, and discover extraordinary behind-the-scenes stories.
Synopsis
At an auction of opera memorabilia at the Paris Opera House, an old man, Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny, bids for a strange musical box which seems to hold for him some special memory. The newly restored chandelier is revealed and we are swept back to the time of Raoul’s youth, when the chandelier hung in splendour from the dome of the Opera House.
A new opera, Hannibal, is in rehearsal. LeFèvre, manager of the Opera House, arrives and explains to the company that he is retiring. He introduces the new managers, André and Firmin. André asks the prima donna, Carlotta, to sing, but a sandbag falls suddenly from the flies, almost killing her. There are murmurs among the company that it must have been the work of ‘the ghost’. Carlotta storms out, leaving the new production without a star. The new managers learn that there have been too many accidents. Madame Giry, the ballet mistress, hands the managers a note from ‘the opera ghost’ demanding a salary and a free box at the opera. Meg, Madame Giry’s daughter, suggests to André and Firmin that her friend and fellow dancer Christine Daaé could take Carlotta’s place. Christine has been taking singing lessons, but is unable (or unwilling) to say from whom. The managers grant her an audition.
Audition and performance merge and, from the managers’ box, the young Raoul, patron of the Opera House, voices his enthusiasm for the new star. After the Gala, Meg asks Christine about her mysterious teacher, but Christine can only tell Meg that he is the Angel of Music whom her late father had always promised would one day visit her. Christine’s performance is met with unanimous approval and Raoul goes backstage to congratulate her. The meeting becomes a reunion, both realising that they used to play together as children. As soon as Christine is alone, a figure appears behind the mirror. It is The Phantom, the teacher whom she has never seen – her Angel of Music. The Phantom draws Christine into the dark beyond the mirror and, when Raoul returns, the room is empty. Christine is led beneath the Opera House. They cross a lake and arrive at The Phantom’s subterranean lair. The Phantom explains that he is a composer and she has been his inspiration. He is teaching her so that she can sing his music.
Christine falls asleep, waking the following morning to the sound of the music box. Consumed with curiosity, Christine succeeds in revealing The Phantom’s face. His anger dissolves into self-pity and Christine feels herself almost reciprocating his affection. The Phantom agrees to return her to the outside world.
Backstage at the Opera, Buquet, the flyman, taunts the ballet chorus with stories of ‘the ghost’. Madame Giry cautions him to hold his tongue.
Meanwhile the Opera has been thrown into confusion by Christine’s disappearance. Everyone has received notes from The Phantom.
The Phantom demands that Carlotta be replaced by Christine as leading lady in a forthcoming revival of the opera Il Muto. News arrives of Christine’s return, but the managers assure Carlotta that no heed will be paid to The Phantom’s demands.
The Phantom’s voice is heard threatening ‘a disaster beyond imagination’. Il Muto is performed with Christine cast in a silent role. The Phantom’s voice reiterates his demands and, when these are ignored, he causes Carlotta to emit the croak of a toad instead of singing. As the indisposed prima donna is led away, André replaces her with Christine. But The Phantom is still much in evidence. He appears in the wings during the Il Muto ballet, disguised as a stagehand, and puts a noose around Buquet’s to hang him.
In the ensuing pandemonium Christine flees with Raoul to the safety of the roof of the Opera House. They agree to leave together that night. The Phantom emerges from his hiding place, where he has heard everything, and vows vengeance. As Christine and the cast take their bows, the chandelier crashes down from the ceiling.
Interval
ACT TWO
At a masked ball, twelve months later, all celebrate the New Year and the disappearance of The Phantom. Raoul and Christine have secretly become engaged. At the height of the festivities a strange figure appears through the mirrored walls of the ballroom. The Phantom has returned. He flings to André the score of his new opera, Don Juan Triumphant, commanding that it be performed. Backstage, Raoul interrogates Madame Giry about the identity of The Phantom. He is an escaped fairground freak – a physical monstrosity with a brilliant mind. Presumed dead, he in fact lives still, somewhere in the Opera House.
Raoul hits upon a scheme to ensnare The Phantom using his own opera as bait. If Christine agrees to sing the principal role, The Phantom is sure to attend. With the doors locked and guarded he will be unable to escape. Christine unhappily agrees to co-operate. The singers have immense difficulty learning the dissonant score, but their task is mysteriously facilitated when the piano magically takes over and the singers, mesmerised, begin to perform flawlessly.
Christine visits her father’s grave. She knows that if she can free herself from his memory she will no longer be in thrall to The Phantom. The Phantom appears to her in the graveyard. His hypnotic influence, however, is broken when Raoul arrives on the scene. Enraged, The Phantom declares war on them both.
In the final scene of Don Juan Triumphant, Christine becomes aware that The Phantom has taken the place of Piangi in the role of Don Juan. As her duet finishes, she exposes him and tears the mask from his face. Surrounded by police, The Phantom is nevertheless able to escape, dragging Christine with him. The garrotted body of Piangi is revealed.
Madame Giry agrees to lead Raoul to The Phantom’s lair. An angry mob follows. In the underground lair, Christine confronts The Phantom: his true disfigurement lies not in his face but in his soul. Raoul appears and The Phantom traps him. The Phantom offers Christine a bizarre choice: she must either stay with him forever or see Raoul killed. Christine, calmly facing off with The Phantom, decides to act. She kisses and embraces him. The embrace lasts a long time. With the mob drawing ever closer, The Phantom relents and orders Christine and Raoul to go. The mob descends towards the lair, but all that remains of The Phantom is a white mask.
Frequently Asked Questions
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is located at Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney.
When walking from the train, bus, or ferry remember that access to the venue via the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is only possible prior to 6:30pm in March and 6pm in April.
Please note there is a marine exclusion zone for the duration of the event.
Mrs Macquaries Road, leading into the venue, is likely to experience traffic congestion. We highly recommend avoiding this road by catching public transport or parking in surrounding car parks and then catching our free shuttle bus.
Public transport
When walking from the train/bus remember that access to the venue via the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is only possible prior to 6:30pm in March and 6pm in April. After this time, the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is closed from all entrances and not possible to walk through.
The nearest train stations are:
St James: approximately a 16-minute walk* (1.3 km)
Martin Place: approximately an 18-minute walk* (1.5 km)
Circular Quay: approximately a 29-minute walk* (2.3 km)
*These linked maps and estimated walk times use routes outside of The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. If you're walking before the Garden gates close (prior to 6.30pm in March and 6pm in April), using a route through the Garden will save time.
All schedules, times and dates can be viewed at the transportnsw.info.
Parking
The Domain Car Park is the closest car park. The car park is open 24 hours. A free shuttle bus is available to guests who park in the Domain Car Park (see details below). Parking spots for those with mobility parking scheme permits are located at the northern end of the ground floor.
There is metered parking along Mrs Macquaries Road, Hospital Road and Macquarie Street. Meters accept credit card or payment by mobile phone.
Art Gallery Road, leading into the venue, is likely to experience traffic congestion. We highly recommend arranging an alternative drop off/meeting point.
Complimentary shuttle bus (wheelchair accessible)
The pre-performance shuttle service runs from 4:30pm until the start of the performance on a loop from the Domain Car Park (departing from Sir John Young Crescent on the ground floor) to the venue entrance on Mrs Macquaries Road. The shuttle ride takes approximately 5 minutes, depending on traffic. The pre-performance shuttle bus does not stop at the Art Gallery of NSW. We recommend arriving early to ensure you have time to be seated before the start of the performance.
The post-performance shuttle service starts from 8:45pm and runs until midnight, or until the last patron has left. The post-show shuttle bus services will offer transport to:
- The Domain car park, or
- Hyde Park.
View shuttle bus drop-off and pick-up points
View shuttle pick-up point at the Domain Car Park
The Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour shuttle bus departs from the ground floor of the Domain Car Park and is wheelchair accessible.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is an open-air and all-weather event
The venue, audience seating, and the stage are completely uncovered. The event is an all-weather experience and we are committed to going ahead with a performance of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour even in doubtful or unfavourable weather conditions. Please come prepared so that you are as comfortable as possible, and ready to support the performers, who will carry on singing in the rain.
Bring warm and waterproof clothing
Sydney weather is full of surprises so we recommend that you dress with this in mind and bring warm, weatherproof clothing. Please note that although umbrellas can be brought to the venue, out of consideration for other members of the audience they cannot be used during the performance.
Ponchos
Biodegradable ponchos will be available to purchase at the event. Once disposed of, the poncho takes about a year to break down and become a protein of the ecosystem. We’ll be donating any profit from the sale of ponchos to Clean Up Australia.
Ticket exchanges
You may call our box office on +61 2 9318 8200 to exchange your tickets. You must request an exchange or refund at least two working days before the Event. We will only exchange or refund your tickets in our sole discretion or as required by law.
You can also exchange your tickets online, or receive a credit voucher for the value of your tickets, right up until the start of the performance.
Performance pauses and cancellations
We will only cancel a performance during electrical storms (within 10km radius) or during times of extremely high winds and/or rain. We will not cancel a performance until 7:30pm or later. We may decide to cancel a performance once the show is underway. Please plan to travel to the venue for a 7:30pm performance start time even in unfavourable weather conditions.
In some weather conditions, we may delay the start time of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour or pause for up to 50 minutes at any point throughout the performance.
Auxiliary expenses including travel, accommodation or hospitality which you have arranged in conjunction with the performance are at your own risk and Opera Australia cannot refund these.
Accessible Seating
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour has wheelchair and companion seating allocations available.
Customers requiring the wheelchair and/or companion seating should contact the Opera Australia customer service team on 02 9318 8200, Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. Wheelchair and companion seating can only be booked over the phone.
The best seats for persons with limited mobility who are not wheelchair users are in the first 5 rows of sections A–E.
When patrons enter the venue via ‘Entry (Sections A–E)’ they will walk downhill to their seats and then up a few stairs to seats in higher rows if seats are not booked in row A. Upon exiting the venue, the path is uphill and persons with limited mobility may consider requesting the use of a Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour wheelchair and assistance if required
Assistance Animals
Assistance animals trained to assist people with disability are welcome at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. Please phone our box office on 02 9318 8200 to make your booking so we can allocate you appropriate seating.
Courtesy wheelchairs
Patrons requiring a wheelchair should make contact with the onsite Box Office who will arrange for a transfer to allocated seating by wheelchair.
Lift access
There is a lift available for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility.
The lift provides access from Ground level (bottom of the grandstand) to level 1 (HSBC Platinum Club) and Level 2 (Northern Terrace and upper Grandstand).
Stairs
If you have difficulties with stairs, we advise purchasing tickets in the first five (5) rows of sections A to E to minimise the number of stairs you must climb. When booking via the phone, please let our box office staff know so you can be seated in this area to best suit your mobility requirements. Our ushers are also very helpful, so please ask them for assistance.
Refer to Access Guide which includes venue step count and surface description to assist with choosing your seats.
Audio Described Performance
Wed 8 April 2026, 7:30pm
To book an Audio Description headset and seats in the best area to receive the Audio Description transmission, please call (02) 9318 8200
Captioned Performance
Tue 14 April 2026, 7:30pm
Closed captions for the performance will be transmitted to the GoTheatrical app on your Apple or Android device.
Auslan Interpreted Performance
Tue 14 April 2026, 7:30pm
To book the special allocation of seats directly in front of where the interpreters will be, please call (02) 9318 8200 or email customerservice@oacartredesign.kinsta.cloud
We recognise the needs of breastfeeding parents but are unable to provide dedicated parent facilities at Handa Opera on the Harbour. All children (including infants) attending the event are required to have their own ticket, available for purchase online, over the phone, or at the box office. If the event team can offer any additional assistance regarding breastfeeding at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, please phone our box office on (02) 9318 8200.
There are five bar and restaurant areas at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour with a range of options.
The site opens at 5pm so you can enjoy a drink and some food while you watch the sun set over the harbour.
With five pop-up restaurants and roving bars on site, there’s an option to suit every appetite and budget.
Please don’t bring a picnic. Only food and beverages purchased on site can be consumed within the venue.
There’s no compulsory dress code. Wear what you’ll feel comfortable in and make sure you wear sensible shoes, as you will have to walk up and down stairs to reach your seats.
Sydney weather is full of surprises so we recommend that you dress with this in mind and bring warm, weatherproof clothing.
Please purchase your tickets through authorised ticket sellers.
Opera Australia is the primary ticket seller for Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. We have also authorised other ticket sellers (including Sydney Opera House, Ticketmaster, TodayTix).
Opera Australia will cancel any tickets that we can identify have been purchased through unauthorised sellers for more than 10% above their original cost. Unauthorised sellers include but are not limited to Viagogo, Tickets Australia, Ticket Merchant, Ticket Blaster, TicketBis, Ticketmaster Resale, Queen of Tickets, eBay or Gumtree.
If you attend an event with such a ticket, we will not admit you into the venue. We will also void forged and fraudulent tickets (for example, where multiple copies have been made of the same tickets).
There are an increasing number of unauthorised ticket resellers operating online. We don’t want anyone to have a nasty surprise, so if you have any questions or concerns about the validity of your tickets or the authorisation of your ticket seller, please contact us on 02 9318 8200 or email customerservice@oacartredesign.kinsta.cloud.
You can also find detailed information about unauthorised ticket sales on the NSW Fair Trading website.
Strategic Sponsors
Naming Rights Partner
Patron-in-Chief
Dr Haruhisa Handa
Principal Partner
Venue
By special arrangement with LW Entertainment
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The Phantom of the Opera
Principal Partner HSBC
| MUSIC ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER |
|
| LYRICS CHARLES HART |
ADDITIONAL LYRICS RICHARD STILGOE |
| BOOK RICHARD STILGOE & ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER |
|