Opera Australia has announced the full cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, joining Queensland newcomer Jake Lyle as The Phantom when the iconic musical returns for a highly anticipated, limited run at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour from 27 March to 3 May.
Making his “dream-come-true” musical theatre debut as The Phantom, 22-year-old Lyle from Gladstone, Queensland was discovered during ensemble auditions. A recent graduate of Classical Voice at Queensland Conservatorium, he is currently an Emerging Artist in Residence with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Celebrated Australian soprano Amy Manford will return to the stage as Christine Daaé, a role for which she is globally acclaimed, both on London’s West End and the last Australian in-theatre tour. Making his debut as Raoul will be rising Australian musical theatre star Jarrod Draper, who has earned success in some of Australia’s biggest hit musicals including Moulin Rouge, Rent and Cats.
Also cast is Brent Hill as Monsieur Firmin, Martin Crewes as Monsieur André,Debora Krizak as Madame Giry, Guiseppina Grech as Carlotta Giudicelli,Daniel Belle as Ubaldo Piangi, and Jayme Jo Massoud as Meg Giry.
The ensemble features 39 brilliant Australian performers, including Melody Beck, Jess Bock, Rachel Breeze, Mia Byrnes, Darcy Carroll, Georgia Cosgrove, Mia Coutts, Matt Cranleigh, Zac de Gersigny, Andrew Dunne, Danielle Evrat, Anthony Garcia, Michaela Hodgson, Bianca Hopkins, Michael Lampard, Catrin Lewis, Josephine Lonergan, Natalie Lui, James MacAlpine, Imogen-Faith Malfitano, Sofia Mancini, Jake Maskill, Madeline McCartney, Ella Nonini, Lachlan O’Brien, Ryan Ophel, Ellise Pellizzer, Matthew Reardon, Annabelle Rosewarne, Julian Seguna, Tom Sharah, Anna Stephens, Daniel Tambasco, Leon Vitogiannis, Paul Whiteley, Raphael Wong, Vanessa You, Cathy-Di Zhang and Massimo Zuccara.
The original creative dream-team has returned with Musical Supervisor Guy Simpson, Australia’s master of musical theatre, Director Simon Phillips, Set & Costume Designer Gabriela Tylesova, Choreographer & Associate DirectorSimone Sault, Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper, and Sound Designer Shelly Lee. Combined with the jaw-dropping setting, they bring a whole new level of spectacle to this musical masterpiece.
Unmatched views of world-renowned Sydney Opera House, a live orchestra, nightly fireworks and pop-up restaurants and bars, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is one of the most unique theatrical experiences in the world, and the only place where you can see this magnificent, grand-scale production of The Phantom of the Opera under the stars.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is supported by the NSW Government, via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, and through the International Foundation for Arts and Culture as Naming Rights Partner, Dr Haruhisa Handa OA’s Patron in Chief, and OA’s Principal Partner HSBC.
Season Details
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour – The Phantom of the Opera
Dates: Friday 27 March – 3 May 2026
Location: Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney