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Followers of London theatre would be no stranger to the annual Olivier Awards, its inaugural ceremony in 1976. What better way than to kick off the ceremony with two mesmerising numbers from the hit musical “The Phantom of the Opera”? While it’s not the first time “The Phantom of the Opera” has been performed for the Olivier Awards, the opening is still remarkable – the highlight(s) being 1) the transition from one song to the other, 2) Andrew Lloyd Webber giving you that mysterious and fierce look, matching the overall spooky and terrifying vibe that the musical has, while playing the organ.

Coincidentally, the musical about a mysterious masked figure disrupting operations of a theatre in Paris, France, is celebrating four decades this October 2026 since its first show at the West End.

In this pairing, cast members Dean Chisnall and Beatrice Penny-Touré play the roles of the Phantom and Christine Daaé.

The Olivier Awards 2026 was held at the Royal Albert Hall to an in-person audience.

Previously, “The Phantom of the Opera” took over the stage at the Olivier Awards in 2011, which marked the 25th anniversary of the musical.

It’s the second-longest running musical in the history of West End.

Here’s some trivia for you – the composer of “The Phantom of the Opera” Andrew Lloyd Webber was incredibly nervous; he didn’t attend the opening night when it premiered in 1986.

Till today, the Cameron MacKintosh production is used, but with slight updates to the set and orchestration.

“The Phantom of The Opera” has clinched three Olivier Awards, including Musical of the Year, and Outstanding Performance in a Musical.

BBC iPlayer subscribers will have access to the Olivier Awards show.