Andrew Lloyd Webber Says Immersive Phantom Show Is Unlike Anything Tried Before

Legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber says a new immersive production inspired by The Phantom of the Opera is pushing the boundaries of musical theatre in ways never attempted before.

The off Broadway production, titled Masquerade, opened in New York last autumn and transforms an unassuming Midtown storefront into the world of the Paris Opera House.

Located near Carnegie Hall, the venue initially appears to be an ordinary art supplies shop with paper covered windows. Inside, however, audiences are transported into the haunting setting of the classic story.

An ambitious new theatrical experience

Unlike traditional stagings of The Phantom of the Opera, Masquerade unfolds as a fully immersive production. Multiple storylines take place simultaneously throughout the building, with audience members guided through different spaces as the narrative unfolds around them.

Each evening six separate casts perform the musical concurrently, escorting groups of spectators through locations that range from the Phantom’s underground lair to rooftop scenes high above the city.

Webber described the production as a remarkable technical achievement.

“Nothing has ever been attempted like this in musical theatre before,” he said. “Everything is so minutely timed down to the very last millisecond. It’s an extraordinary technical feat.”

The composer added that watching the project come together had been an exciting creative adventure.

“I enjoyed it madly,” he said. “It was great fun to be on an adventure.”

Re exploring the Phantom’s story

The production retains the core narrative familiar to fans of The Phantom of the Opera, following the tragic relationship between the masked musical genius known as the Phantom and young soprano Christine Daaé.

However, the immersive staging introduces new scenes designed to deepen the audience’s understanding of the mysterious character.

One of the most striking additions is a dark carnival sequence depicting the Phantom as a young man imprisoned in a cage as part of a sideshow attraction. Audience members are encouraged to interact with the scene, sometimes even rattling the cage or offering food to the character.

Director Diane Paulus described the moment as intentionally provocative.

“It’s a bit of a Rorschach test,” she said. “How do we react in those situations?”

Some audience members respond by taunting the character, while others quietly stand nearby offering empathy, occasionally holding the Phantom’s hand.

A confronting theatrical moment

Performer Maree Johnson, who has portrayed Madame Giry both on and off Broadway, says the scene can be unsettling because of the way it encourages audience participation.

“It’s quite confronting and disturbing because of the nature of the violence and the assault on our senses,” she said. “It’s a mob mentality, and sometimes you see that with the audience.”

By placing spectators directly inside the story, Masquerade challenges viewers to confront the darker aspects of the Phantom’s past and the cruelty that shaped him.

For Webber, the ambitious project demonstrates how immersive theatre can open new creative possibilities for a story that has captivated audiences for decades.

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