Three Phantoms UK Tour & New Wimbledon Theatre

After several months away, Access London is back! Thank you to everyone for your messages and support over the last few months, very much appreciated. Also finally back on Twitter after a break My Facebook and Twitter feeds have been full of status updates and excitement about this Summer's much anticipated UK tour of the Three Phantoms concert - not surprising as it's a fantastic show, great tunes, funny and performed by some incredibly talented singers. I've had quite a few messages asking about Access to the venues it's touring to. As it's a pretty extensive UK tour (followed by another in the Autumn), I can't give detailed info for all theatres involved. The blog is predominately about London venues, so I'll look at the New Wimbledon Theatre where the tour arrives to in a couple of weeks time. I will include links to the Access pages of all the other venues though, so if you're not in London, check them out and get yourselves to your nearest venue. The Show: Three Phantoms UK Summer tour opened in Dartford last week. Over the next 6 weeks, they are touring the UK extensively. "Earl Carpenter, Matthew Cammelle and Stephen John Davis (our current cast) have all played, to huge acclaim, the mysterious Phantom at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London and between them have given over 3,000 of the show’s 10,000 performances. Established and respected musical theatre performers in their own right, they have been regularly entertaining audiences worldwide in some of the world’s most popular musicals. They are joined onstage by the fantastic Rebecca Caine, whose performance as Christine Daaé in the original cast of The Phantom of the Opera opposite Michael Crawford and the Canadian premiere alongside Colm Wilkinson, was acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic and who remains an equally respected artist with a career encompassing musicals and opera." "this outstanding show features over 20 songs from Les Misérables, West Side Story, Chicago, Kiss Me Kate, My Fair Lady and Wicked to name but a few. The beautiful staging of this concert, evoking the drama and excitement of the great musicals concludes by celebrating the world’s most successful entertainment phenomenon - The Phantom of the Opera." New Wimbledon Theatre: For wheelchair users (scooter users need to check with venue first) the Stalls are Accessible via the Russell Road Entrance. There is a wheelchair Accessible lift to Access the area and wheelchair spaces have a seat for a companion next to/nearby. If you are transfering into a theatre seat then please let the box office know. For those with limited mobility but who are able to do some stairs then aisle seats in the Stalls are bookable but note that there are steps between rows. An induction loop is available at the box office for those who are hard of hearing. Adapted toilets and a bar are Accessible in the Stalls area. Assistance dogs are allowed into the auditorium but please let the box office know before, when you book your tickets, as only a limited number are allowed per show. Three Phantoms is at the New Wimbledon on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th June 2013, both shows starting at 7.30pm. To book Access tickets (at a discounted rate or companion free rate), call the Access booking line on 0844 871 7677. June Dates and Access bookings: Tuesday 4th - Wednesday 5th June at Bristol Hippodrome, tickets HERE . Thursday 6th - Friday 7th June at Theatre Royal Brighton, tickets HERE . Saturday 8th June at Leeds Grand Theatre, tickets HERE . Monday 10th - Tuesday 11th June at Wycombe Swan Theatre, tickets HERE . Wednesday 12th June at Birmingham Symphony Hall, tickets HERE . Thursday 13th June at Oxford New Theatre, tickets HERE . Friday 14th - Saturday 15th June at Worthing Pavilion Theatre, tickets HERE . Sunday 16th June at Milton Keynes Theatre, tickets HERE . Tuesday 18th - Wednesday 19th June at Wimbledon New Theatre, tickets HERE . Thursday 20th - Saturday 22nd June at Darlington Civic Theatre, tickets HERE . Tuesday 25th - Wednesday 26th June at Hull New Theatre, tickets HERE . Friday 28th - Saturday 29th June at Sunderland Empire, tickets HERE . Sunday 30th June at Carlisle THe Sands Centre, tickets HERE . July Dates and Access Bookings: Monday 1st - Wednesday 3rd July at His Majesty's Theatre Aberdeen, tickets HERE . Thursday 4th - Saturday 6th July at Theatre Royal Glasgow, tickets HERE . Thursday 11th July at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, tickets HERE .

Phantom of the Opera - Cast Change & Interview with Katy Treharne

Welcome back to Access London and Thank You once again for continuing to support disabled Access to the arts in London.

Today's post is an update on the Access information for Her Majesty's Theatre and also features an interview with Katy Treharne who has returned to the Phantom cast as alternate Christine.

Her Majesty's Theatre has level access for wheelchairs, scooters and those who cannot manage stairs on Charles II street. Simply make yourself known to someone at the front of the theatre (usually someone is around from 30 minutes before a performance) and they will escort you around to the side entrance. This entrance leads into the rear of the stalls.


The stalls have a storage area for wheelchairs and scooters and accessible WC. There are spaces for 4 wheelchairs in row S in the stalls. If you can transfer, any aisle seat in the stalls can be booked (subject to availability). An usher is assigned to help and assist those in the wheelchair spaces and transfer seats.

There is an infra-red hearing loop system with 10 headsets available to use - these can be collected from the cloakroom or ask a member of staff (a receipt needs to be signed). Two assistance dogs per performance are permitted at Her Majesty's. Large print programmes and braille cast lists are also available upon request. Overall, Her Majesty's is very accessible and has some of the most disability aware staff I know of in any London theatre!

There are performances Monday-Saturday at 7.30pm and also matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm.

To book Access Tickets for Phantom (currently from £22.50 each for you and a companion/carer in the stalls!) please call: 0844 412 4648. For all other tickets, please call: 0844 412 4653.


Today's cast interview is with Katy Treharne who has returned to the cast of Phantom this week as alternate Christine. Once again, a huge Thank You to Katy for her continued support for Access London.


How do you feel about returning to Her Majesty's and Phantom of the Opera?

I am very excited to be taking up the Alternate role of Christine. I now have set dates performing every week and I get my name on the dressing room!


When you left the cast in September 2011, did you realise you would be returning so soon?

I hoped that one day I would return to Her Majesty's and felt my time there wasn't up. I didn't expect it to be four months later though, but it's a blessing, the time was right and I am very happy to be back.


When you were last in the show you covered the role of Christine, you are now returning as alternate. Are you looking to change anything in the way you play her?

I have been working with a new director since being back. His name is Sam Hiller and he is an actor himself and has made me think of things differently, I have changed a few of the choices I make in the show, dramatically and vocally to help tell Christine's story a lot clearer.


Since your last run, both the actors playing The Phantom and Raoul have changed. What are you most looking forward to about working with Earl Carpenter and Killian Donnelly?

I absolutely love working with both of them. I adapt well to change and find it exciting working with new people as they bring different things to the roles and help me find new things and keep it all fresh.


As Christine you have two iconic songs in 'Think Of Me' and 'Wishing'. Is there one that you prefer to sing and if so, why?

They are both so different in Christine's journey. It's hard to pick a favourite as Think of Me is right at the beginning so nerves are more present but I love singing it and wearing a beautiful costume and I also love singing the cadenza and the high notes! Wishing is very emotional and I have a huge attachment to this song as I relate it to my own personal experiences and it has a special place.


Her Majesty's is a theatre that provides pretty good access to those with disabilities but, what is it like as a theatre to perform in?

It's a wonderful theatre to perform in. With Phantom having been there 25 years, not much has changed and so you really feel you are walking in the footsteps of past actors and singers who have played these iconic roles and that these characters were born here.


What is your fondest memory from the last time you were part of Phantom?

My fondest memory was when I took my last bow when I played Christine the last time. When John Owen Jones took his bow he signalled to the audience to applaud me and that brought a tear to my eye. I was very humbled.


You can see Katy perform as Christine every Monday and Friday at Her Majesty's Theatre.
You can also follow Katy on Twitter @KatyTree
COMING SOON: Les Miserables and Matilda

Phantom of the Opera & Interview with Christine Daae, Sofia Escobar

Welcome back to Access London and Thank You once again for continuing to support disability access and awareness to the arts in London.

Access London has been posting about Phantom of the Opera's 25th Anniversary on and off for the last 6 weeks. Today saw the final Tuesday matinee ever at Her Majesty's theatre. As of next week, the mid-week matinee will be on Thursdays at 2.30pm. There are no other changes planned for the evening performances or Saturday matinee.

It's certainly been a big few months for Phantom with a major cast change and anniversary rehearsals in September, three anniversary celebratory performances at the the Royal Albert Hall in October, changes to the schedule of its mid-week matinee and announcements about its brand new 2012 tour that will see John Owen Jones leaving Her Majesty's to don the mask from February-Setember, after which Earl Carpenter will reprise his role as the Phantom. The cast also includes current London alternate Christine, Katie Hall, playing Christine.

Our next post on Phantom will include some Access information for the first stop on the Phantom's tour, Plymouth, tickets for this venue go on sale from 27 October.

Back to London and Her Majesty's Theatre, Access as always, is pretty strong and FOH staff are some of the most helpful and disability aware I know of in any London theatre. There is level street access for those using a wheelchair, scooter or cannot manage stairs, through a side Exit door on Charles II Street - simply inform someone at the front of the theatre and they will open these doors for you. This entrance leads into the rear of the stalls.

Access Facilities at Her Majesty's include: 4 wheelchair spaces in row S in the stalls, storage for wheelchairs and scooters, transfer to aisle seats, accessible WC, gentle rake in the stalls, very helpful ushers, 2 assistance dogs per performance allowed, hearing loop with 10 headsets available, seats with extra leg room ( E1, E25, F1, F25, G1, G25, N1 and N28 in the Stalls).

For Blue Badge Holders, there are spaces located in both Charles II Street and St James' Square. Both of these locations have 3-4 hour time restrictions on them up until 6pm, after which they are unlimited in time allowance until the early morning.

To book Access tickets for Phantom of the Opera, please call: 0844 412 4648. For all other ticket types, please call: 0844 412 4653.


Access London is delighted to share with you another interview to celebrate Phantom's 25 years. Today's is with our fabulous London Christine, Sofia Escobar. We'd like to take this opportunity to say a huge Thank You once again to Sofia for taking the time to answer some questions and for all her continued support.


AL: You've just extended your contract at Phantom for another year, until September 2012, are you excited about staying on during its 25th year?
SE: Very excited indeed! I wanted to stay for what I'm sure is going to be a very exciting time for Phantom of the Opera and all the Phans out there. It's a great honour to be part of such a magnificent production!


AL: Phantom is loved by audiences worldwide - why do you think it is so well-loved and has people coming back to see it time and again?
SE: It's a timeless piece of Musical Theater, it's got all the magic ingredients that have made it such a success all over the world, the story, the music, the love! It's pure magic. I'm sure it will be here to stay!


AL: The show has some truly spectacular sets and costumes - do you have any favourites?
SE: Christine's costumes are truly gorgeous but my personal favorite is the Blue Managers dress and cloak, I'd love to take it home with me after the contract! :)


AL: Phantom is getting a new UK tour for 2012 - are you aware of any changes to the show happening in London?
SE: Not that I know of, I dont think there will be any changes to the London production.


AL: The show has many special effects and technical elements throughout. Do you have a tale to tell of something going wrong/mishap during a performance?
SE: The other night in the final lair scene the boat didn't move so Phantom had to drag me out of the boat and did the scene walking in what should have been the lake... It was quite funny!


AL: What is the atmosphere like backstage during a performance?
SE: It's intense! Everyone knows what they're doing but there's always an awful lot going on backstage during a performance, it's quite a show! Lots of people running around with costumes, props! Actors in quick changes! A lot of fun! But I'm sure that for an outsider the whole thing would seem madness!


AL: Christine has rather a roller-coaster ride of emotions throughout the show. By the time the final lair scene arrives, what do you believe she is thinking and feeling?
SE: I believe she is extremely confused, hurt, sad and generally feeling lost. She doesn't know what to believe or who to turn to, I think she also feels alone but finds the strength within her to pull through and make her decisions. It really is a roller-coaster of emotions.


AL: You have played alongside several Phantoms during your time at Her Majesty's. Do they all play the role differently? And do you have to change the way you play Christine to suit their Phantom?
SE: Every actor brings their own way of playing the part to the show and that makes it very exciting when someone new comes in. I dont necessarily 'have' to change the way I play Christine but it happens naturally because I will be reacting to whatever the actor playing the Phantom gives me. It's more of an 'organic' change rather than a premeditated one.


AL: There have been productions of Phantom all over the world. If you could play Christine anywhere, where would it be and why?
SE: To be honest I wouldn't change where I am now. I always wanted to be in the London production, this is where it all started 25 years ago. Gives me shivers to think of it.


AL: Do you have a Birthday Message for Phantom and its fans?
SE: A huge thank you to all of you who love and support the show and have been doing so all through these years. Phantom turning 25 wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for all of you out there and all the wonderful audiences who keep coming to the show all over the world. Lots of love to all!


Thank You once again Sofia for that. You can see Sofia perform as Christine Daae at Her Majesty's until September 2012. Sofia performs 6 shows a week (currently Katie Hall performs the other 2) - as of 31st October, Sofia will not be performing on Mondays or Fridays. She is also on holiday from 27th October until 6th November.

To keep up with all of Sofia's news SEE HER WEBSITE
You can also follow her on Twitter @sofia_escobar
Sofia also has a page on Facebook






COMING NEXT: Dreamboats & Petticoats plus Cast Interview
COMING SOON: The Globe, London Coliseum, The Lion In Winter, More from Phantom 25 and cast Interviews

Phantom of the Opera's 25th Anniversary & Interview with Original Meg Giry, Janet Devenish

Welcome back to Access London and thank you for continuing to support disability access and awareness to the arts in London.

Continuing with Access London's celebrations for Phantom of the Opera's 25th Anniversary and the brilliant Access at Her Majesty's theatre, today saw the release of the 2012 tour information. The 2012 tour will star John Owen Jones (the current London Phantom) in the lead role from the tour's start in February (Plymouth) until half way through the Edinburgh run in September. After this, former Phantom and co Three Phantoms star, Earl Carpenter, will take over the role on tour. Christine is to be played by the current London alternate, Katie Hall. Access London would like to take this opportunity to wish John Owen Jones, Earl Carpenter and Katie Hall all the very best for the tour next year!

For all the information on dates and booking info, please see the OFFICIAL SITE HERE

Although Access London predominately focuses on events and venues in London, we will be providing readers with as much Access information as we can on the venues hosting the 2012 tour as we realise that not everyone can make the journey to London to enjoy the show at Her Majesty's.

John Owen Jones was originally scheduled to play the Phantom in London until 17 March 2012. Due to the exciting news that he will be playing the role in the tour, his final performance at Her Majesty's Theatre will be on 10 December 2011. Between then and March 2012, Earl Carpenter will play the role of the Phantom in London until Peter Joback takes over, as originally planned, in March. Watch this space for more Access info on the tour venues.

John Owen Jones has also announced that his new album will be released around the same time that the tour commences.
You can also catch Earl Carpenter, John Owen Jones, Matthew Cammelle, Rebecca Caine (and at certain performances Rohan Tickell) in the Three Phantoms concerts. For concert dates and booking information, see the OFFICIAL THREE PHANTOMS WEBSITE

If you can't get to any of the tour dates next year, don't forget, you can always watch the original show in London at Her Majesty's theatre. Access information for this theatre is as follows....

If you are a wheelchair or scooter user, or cannot manage stairs, then there is a side entrance on Charles II Street that has level access to the rear of the stalls and also a storage area for chairs and scooters and an accessible WC. When you arrive at the theatre, simply ask someone at FOH (usually people outside from about 30-45 minutes before a performance starts) and they will escort you around to this entrance.

There are 4 wheelchair spaces (with companion seats) in Row S in the stalls. If you can transfer then any aisle seat in the stalls can be booked (subject to availability of course!). The stalls have a relatively gentle rake. People making an access booking are assigned an usher to assist them, although a companion must accompany each access booking made and both are entitled to the Access booking rate.

Charles II Street also has several blue badge bays along it - these are time restricted until 6.00pm but not afterwards. There are also several blue badge bays in St James' Square which is a few minutes walk away down Charles II Street.

Her Majesty's has an infra red system with 10 headsets available (a receipt needs to be signed at time of collection) - ask at the box office or any member of staff if you wish to use one. Assistance dogs can be looked after by staff during the performance - a maximum of 2 dogs per performance. Large print programmes and braille cast lists are also available upon request.

To book your access tickets for Phantom of the Opera, please call: 0844 412 4648.


Access London is delighted to be able to share with you another interview we did with a former cast member for the show. Today's interview is with Janet Devenish who was the original Meg Giry in the London production. We'd like to take this opportunity to once again say a huge thank you to Janet for takign the time to answer some questions.

Phantom was very different to any other productions that opened in the 80s. Did you have any idea at the time how well loved and huge it would become?
Not at all! Really - I could see it was a great show but I did not foresee how hugely popular it would become.


Were you required to be pretty skilled at ballet in order to audition for the role of Meg?
Yes - there was a lot of pointe work in the show and you cannot gain that skill overnight. I did a lot of work with Gillian Lynne during the audition process which confirmed my ballet skills and I loved it!


What was your favourite scene to perform in the production?
I loved dancing Masquerade, but I also loved working with the wonderful Mary Millar as my mother - so any time on stage with her was special time.


Have you seen the show since you left? If yes, has it changed much since you performed in it?
I have seen it few times, and each time it has been different. I think it has varied depending on the cast, but I was not aware of huge changes that had been made to the actual content of the show.


Would you ever have considered going back to Phantom after you left, perhaps as Mme Giry?
If only my vocals would allow.... I could not sing that role, but I could bang a mean stick!


I understand that you now teach and choreograph but, do you still perform aswell?
No - I train the talent of tomorrow!


Did you seen the Phantom sequel, Love Never Dies? If yes, what did you make of Meg's character in it?
I found it very hard to just watch the show and appreciate it for what it was, as I found myself thinking 'Meg wouldn't do that' or 'Mme Giry would not have expected that of Meg'. I saw it very early days into the run, perhaps I could be more detached now, having seen it once, but it was too personal at the time - all those years later I still felt the character in me.


Do you have a Birthday Message for Phantom of the Opera and its fans?
Keep the magic alive. Phantom was a truly memorable part of my life, and it has brought great pleasure to so many. Happy Birthday to the greatest show!


Janet is the Deputy Principal and teaches Dance and Musical Theatre at the Stella Mann College. She also teaches at the Rugby Youth Theatre - teaching and inspiring the performers of tomorrow.

COMING SOON: The Globe Theatre, The Lion In Winter, The Lyric Theatre, Phantom 2012 Tour Access Info, More from Phantom 25 including interviews with Sofia Escobar, Stephen John Davis and more...