by Nick Lillitos
nlillitos@thekmgroup.co.uk

A school in Maidstone will be the first in England to stage Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera as part of the hit musical’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

Valley Park Community School has a reputation for high-standard productions in the creative arts, and permission was granted by Lord Lloyd Webber’s company, The Really Useful Group.

The school has invited Lord Lloyd Webber to be a guest at the opening night, although he has still to confirm.

It will be staged from Monday, February 6, through to Saturday, February 11, with a matinee performance on the Saturday.

Production rights were released to Valley Park ahead of other schools in England that were also chosen to stage it as part of the anniversary celebrations.

Director Giles Gleadall said: “This will be the largest-scale production put on by our creative arts team – it’s a real honour. Many of our previous ones have won wide acclaim from all those who attended. I’m confident our audiences will not be disappointed.”

The school's production will have a 50-strong cast aged from 12 to 18, and ambitious stage sets are promised.

It will feature a crashing chandelier at the end of Act 1, caused by
the angry phantom, and the motorised boat in which he makes the
journey to his underground lair.

The school’s box office number is 07805 178664.

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