Inside Singapore’s Most Opulent Night Out: The Phantom Of The Opera (& Who Needs To See It ASAP)

Yes, I’ve seen it three times — and no, I’m still not over that chandelier drop. There’s something about The Phantom of the Opera that refuses to ever fade quietly into the wings. It’s maximalist, messy, and beautifully unhinged, and watching it again only confirmed what I already suspected: I’ll never be immune to its brand of gothic obsession. 

Even if you’ve somehow dodged the iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber score everywhere in the past decade, Phantom is a cultural monolith. It has been played to over 160 million people in 195 cities, won 70+ major theatre awards, and boasts a legacy so massive, some may well wonder: what's the hype all about?

Since the famed musical is currently back in town (for the first time in 6 years) for a limited season, there's no better time to share my take on just who needs to see this show, what first-timers can look forward to seeing, and what makes this run so different from its predecessors.

What's Phantom about?

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Set in the gorgeous Paris Opera House of the 1880s, The Phantom of the Opera is a love triangle wrapped in obsession, music, and masked mystery. A brilliant but scarred Phantom becomes fixated on rising soprano Christine Daaé. He guides her, haunts her, and ultimately forces her to choose between darkness and devotion, art and safety, him or her beloved childhood-friend-turned-lover Raoul. Epic drama ensues! 

What's new this time round?

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Grace Roberts brings an unexpectedly grounded vulnerability to Christine. Less wide-eyed ingénue, and more young woman figuring out her place in the world without her beloved father, all while discovering the darkness that lies behind her mysterious teacher. It also becomes immediately clear that Roberts's voice is extraordinary, especially when you consider the ease which she sings the most challenging runs in 'Think of Me', 'Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again' and 'The Phantom of the Opera'. Best of all, she manages to keep up the vocal mastery and energetic acting throughout the show, which on its own absolutely deserves all our applause.

Photo from Base Entertainment Asia

Opposite her, Ben Forster is an awfully intriguing Phantom, especially for anyone expecting to see a brooding or magnetic dark genius type of villain. In fact, the character came off equal parts brutal and brutalised, with an open, manic desperation and fragility that left me feeling surprised at multiple points during the show — after all, it's not every day one encounters a Phantom as human as Forster's. His vocals have the quality of a raging fire, with the intense parts of 'The Phantom of the Opera' feeling like a soft caress followed by a slap to the face (in a good way).

Photo from Base Entertainment Asia

Though if you're as prone to second male lead syndrome as I am, you may find yourself swooning over Raoul's noble figure and warm, honeyed vocals instead. Played by Matt Leisy, Christine's other love interest screams 'green flag' and pulled off 'All I Ask of You' perfectly, making it a highlight for all the romantics out there.

What else can audiences can look forward to seeing?

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The orchestra is nothing short of amazing. It swells, soars, crashes, and moves with such precision and power that you feel it in your chest. The whole musical experience is lush, emotional, and totally transportive.

Visually, the stagecraft is next level. We’re talking smoke, mirrors, fire, trap doors, and the kind of lighting design that borders on magic. One moment the stage glows like a candlelit chapel; the next, it’s all shadows and shards of light slicing through fog. It’s haunting, dramatic, and though the timing of the chandelier drop could use a little tuning, we're still charmed.

The drama is dialled to 11, but so is the fashion. From the Phantom’s sweeping black cloak to the ensemble’s operatic maximalism, the wardrobe is a masterclass in how to dress for emotional impact. The Masquerade Ball scene alone is a visual feast — a riot of jewel tones, feathers, and baroque glamour.

So, is it worth the ticket?

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Short answer: yes. Long answer: it depends on your appetite for spectacle, sweeping ballads, and a plot that’s 33% love triangle, 33% gothic drama, 33% fever dream. 

If you’ve somehow never seen Phantom and want to enjoy a first-time experience you'll lowkey brag about for years, this is your moment. The 2025 production is the most visually immersive, emotionally layered version to land in Singapore yet.

If you’re a long-time fan, you’ll want to see what the cast and crew have done with this production. The staging, sound and lighting is top-notch, and will leave you feeling breathless.

If you think musicals are cheesy, consider this your gateway drug. Between the orchestration, the set design, and the sheer scale of drama, Phantom might just be the thing that changes your mind. (And no, you don’t need to know all the songs. You’ll know them by the second act anyway.)

If you’ve ever cried during a dramatic string section, or secretly wanted to be dramatically serenaded in a candlelit cavern — congratulations, this one’s for you.

The Phantom of the Opera is playing at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands till 22 June 2025.
You can book tickets via Klook, Marina Bay Sands, or SISTIC.