David Thaxton to star as the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera

Welsh singer, opera performer and actor **David Thaxton** is set to star as the new Phantom **beginning 10 December**. He will be taking over the role from **Tim Howar**, who is temporarily leaving the production to perform with Mike and the Mechanics. Howar will return to the *[**Phantom of the Opera**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/13/phantom-of-the-opera-tickets.aspx)* on 13 May 2019. **David Thaxton**’s early theatre work includes Richard Taylor’s *Warchild* and the Welsh National Youth Opera production of John Doyle’s *The Tailors Daughter.* He made his West End debut in 2005 as part of the ensemble for [***Les Miserables***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/197/les-miserables-tickets.aspx) **at the** [**Queen’s Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/66/queens-theatre.aspx), playing the parts of Bamatabois and Courfeyrac and understudying for Enjolras and Bishop of Digne. He has since returned to ***Les Miz*** several times to portray the lead Enjolras from 2008 to 2010, Javert from 2014 to 2015 and again as Javert in 2018. Thaxton’s most notable achievement, however, is having starred in the Donmar Warehouse revival of *Passion* alongside **Scarlett Strallen** and **Elena Roger**. His performance as Girogio in this Sondheim/Lapine musical won him the **Oliver Award** **for Best Actor** in 2011. Thaxton’s other stage credits include *Love Never Dies* (2011) at the Adelphi Theatrem, *Unborn Twin* (2012), and *Candide* at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Thaxton joins the current *[**Phantom**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/13/phantom-of-the-opera-tickets.aspx)* cast featuring **Amy Manford** as the alternate Christine Daaé, **Georgia Ware** as Meg Giry, **Jacinta Mulcahy** as Madame Giry, **Jeremy Taylor** as Raoul, **Kelly Mathieson** as Christine Daaé, **Kimberly Blake** as Carlotta Giudicelli, **Mark Oxtoby** as Monsieur André, **Paul Ettore Tabone** as Ubaldo Piangi, **Ross Dawes** as Monsieur Firmin and **Scott Davies** as the standby Phantom. **Andrew Lloyd Webber’s** *[**The Phantom of the Opera**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/13/phantom-of-the-opera-tickets.aspx)* is notable for [**holding the record**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/another-top-10-world-records-in-theatre) for ‘Longest time in the same production’ for its former star, **Philip Griffiths**, who played the phantom for an astonishing 25 and a half years. Since it first premiered in 1986 with **Michael Crawford** and **Sarah Brightman**, it has won **seven Tony Awards** and **three Olivier Awards**. Don’t miss the **stupendous West End production** of the *[**Phantom of the Opera**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/13/phantom-of-the-opera-tickets.aspx)*, soon to be starring award-winning actor **David Thaxton** and currently **booking until 5 October 2019**. Get your tickets to *[**Phantom of the Opera**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/13/phantom-of-the-opera-tickets.aspx) *****now and guarantee the best seats at [**Her Majesty’s Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/13/her-majestys-theatre.aspx) when you use our interactive seating plan! * * * [**Purchase your tickets to Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/13/phantom-of-the-opera-tickets.aspx).