Rising musical theatre star Jarrod Draper is set to take on one of his dream roles as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera, as the iconic production returns to Sydney Harbour for its 40th anniversary celebrations.
The musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber debuted in London in 1986 and since then the story of the Phantom and Christine Daae has played to 160 million people in 205 cities and in 21 languages.
Already, the show is the most successful Handa Opera on the Harbour, having sold more tickets than any other year in the event’s 15-year-history.
“Forty years on, The Phantom of the Opera continues to pull audiences that most productions never attain. We’re thrilled to be a part of this 40th Anniversary global celebration with our Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour season,” said Opera Australia CEO Alex Budd.
Bringing the show to life alongside Draper is Jake Llye, making his musical theatre debut as The Phantom and Amy Manford as Christine.
“The Phantom of the Opera is a show that has always lived in my mind – I mean, how could it not? It’s cemented itself as a classic in the music theatre canon for a reason,” Draper told Gay Sydney Daily.
“I’ve been listening to the score since I was a child, always hoping that one day I’d get the chance to bring it to life in some capacity – especially playing Raoul.”
Draper was the first Indigenous graduate of the Music Theatre course at WAAPA and has made his mark in shows like Cats and Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
He said that what made Phantom so endearing was that it tapped into something deeply human.
“Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music is so emotional and instantly memorable – it doesn’t just sit with you, it stays in you. And then you pair that with a story about love, obsession, longing, and the need to be seen and accepted – those are things we all recognise in ourselves, in some way or another. It feels timeless because it is timeless.”
Draper said playing Raoul, the romantic hero and lover to Christine, was a role he had been dreaming of playing.
“There’s something about his morals, his loyalty, and the way he leads with love that really resonates with me on a personal level,” he said.
“And then, of course, getting to sing All I Ask Of You – it’s been my favourite duet in music theatre for years, so to actually step into that moment every night is pretty surreal.”
The show opens on Friday in Sydney, with tickets for the five-week season already mostly sold out.
But if you can get a ticket Draper said it was worth it because it was a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
“There’s something pretty magical about watching a story this iconic unfold with the harbour as the backdrop. The show already sweeps you up with its music, romance, and drama, but out here, it feels even more alive. The open air, the water, the city lights – it all becomes part of the storytelling.”
