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In June 2019, thanks to the international tour, The Phantom of the Opera came to Malaysia. Flipping through the pages of the programme book that I bought (after attending what I thought was a powerful and emotional show), I saw something on Love Never Dies.

I remember doing the abridged version of The Phantom of the Opera novel in secondary school, as part of the Literature component for my English class. By the way, different novels are picked and set by the government for students, depending on the location one is in. So seeing something on the sequel to the much-loved stage musical surprised me.

Set years later in the US, after the disappearance of the Phantom, Christine is sought after to perform at an opera house in New York. She happily accepts the offer, especially because she is now stuck in a bitter marriage to Raoul – not knowing what is in store for her and her family.

This time, expect to see Australian cast members, as the version selected for screening is the one in 2012 – held at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne.

The sequel is an adaptation of the novel by Frederick Forsyth titled The Phantom of Manhattan (1999).

Due to the current situation that mandates as many across the world to stay home and safe, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber has agreed to broadcast his shows on a special channel on YouTube. Besides the Phantom of the Opera, the full shows of Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat have been aired (and removed). All shows are available for 48 hours, if you live outside the UK.