Last year, Jon Robyns took over the role of The Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, and is continuing his run at His Majesty’s Theatre alongside a cast including Lily Kerhoas as Christine Daaé. Jon has recorded as The Phantom alongside Lily for the National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals, which will air on BBC One/iPlayer at 7:50pm on Saturday. Prior to joining The Phantom of the Opera, Jon played Jean Valjean in Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, and he has been part of the musical over the years as Marius in the West End, Enjolras in the 25th Anniversary Tour and Jean Valjean in Les Misérables: The Staged Concert. Amongst Jon’s many stage credits, his roles have included playing King George III in Hamilton, Sir Galahad in Spamalot on the UK National Tour as well as in the West End, and he was in the original West End cast of Avenue Q as Princeton/Rod. Jon has co-written his musical Then, Now & Next with Christopher J Orton, which had a run at Southwark Playhouse in 2023, and they are currently putting the finishing touches on the original cast album. Currently, Jon is planning his first solo West End show, which he will be performing at His Majesty’s Theatre on 26th May 2024. Chatting with us, Jon spoke about playing The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre, his time in Les Misérables over the years and his musical Then, Now & Next.
How was it taking over the role of The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera in the West End last year and how is the run going so far?
Joining a show as large and iconic as this has been eye-opening for what can be achieved in scale of a musical. It has to be the most opulent and detailed design in the West End.
What is it like seeing the audience response to the musical and how is it being part of the show?
Once a show has been established in London for several years, it begins to have repeat visits from audience members. Phantom has been in the same theatre for 37 years, so you would imagine a lot of people have seen the show before. This has never once diminished the response we get every night. There are still gasps and standing ovations. That’s what we go to work for.
Can you tell us what The Phantom is like to play and how is it getting into costume?
The makeup routine for playing The Phantom takes around an hour. The skill and dedication of the makeup, wigs and wardrobe departments is a benchmark in the West End and we’re lucky to have such brilliance looking after the show.
How is it working alongside the rest of the cast and performing in an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical?
Theatre is all about teamwork and getting to join a team like this is a pleasure and privilege.
Why would you recommend booking tickets to see The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre?
Spectacle. The show transports an audience to another time and place with high drama and soaring melodies.
Had you seen the show before booking the role and what are you looking forward to most for continuing as The Phantom?
I had seen it while I was training and then again at several points during my career if friends were part of the show. I was looking forward to having the feeling of captivating an audience and delivering for them.
Before joining the cast of The Phantom of the Opera, you were playing Jean Valjean in Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, what did you enjoy most about performing in the musical and playing Jean Valjean?
The humanity of the character. He’s very moral and helps others around him. Also, as a father, I can relate to his sense of responsibility.
What are some of your favourite memories from being part of Les Misérables over the years, having previously played Marius in the West End, Enjolras on the 25th Anniversary UK Tour and Jean Valjean in Les Misérables: The Staged Concert?
Yes, I’ve done Les Mis a lot! It’s an honour to be a small part of the show’s history. All of the best memories of the show are of the people that I got to be together with during my time in the show. That’s what makes the show tick.
How was your time performing in Hamilton as King George III?
Hamilton is our generation’s stand-out show and being part of it in only its second UK cast was unlike any other show I’ve been part of. It’s big. In every way. Playing King George III was a pleasure every time I got to step on stage. I would also sneak down to the wings to watch parts of the show, it’s that good I wanted to be an audience member every night.
What do you remember most from working on Spamalot as Sir Galahad on the UK National Tour and in the West End, and being in the original London cast of Avenue Q as Princeton/Rod?
Those are very different shows. Both are primarily comedies and so rely on the audience to buy into the ideas and style of the story. Getting big laughs from something you care about always feels great.
Over your career so far, you have performed in many other productions including The Wedding Singer, Sister Act, Legally Blonde, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Memphis, can you tell us about some of them?
I’ve been delighted by how many different types of productions I’ve been invited to be a part of. Telling stories through music is something I have always believed to be a very powerful tool.
Your new musical Then, Now & Next had a run Southwark Playhouse last year, what was it like co-writing with Christopher J Orton and can you tell us about the show?
Kit and I aren’t geographically close and so writing Then, Now & Next involved a lot of phone calls, emails, voice notes and messages. I love writing. It’s truly creative in all the best ways. Collaborating is just as joyous. Being the writer in a new project is a new experience for me and I’m still learning the ropes. I hope to keep learning.
How did it feel having the musical premiere in London and are there any future plans for Then, Now & Next?
We are putting the finishing touches in the original cast album of Then, Now & Next and the future looks great for the show. London has had a very welcome resurgence in new musical theatre writing and it’s fun to be part of that.
Where does your love of acting and writing come from and how did you get into both?
I always say that being an artist of any kind isn’t something you choose or get into. It’s something that you don’t feel like yourself without and you have to do it at some level. If we can earn a living doing it, then that’s a massive bonus.
What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch and which would you like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?
My favourite shows are Sweeney Todd, Les Misérables, Hamilton, The Last Five Years, Jesus Christ Superstar, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical and lots more. Having done a few of them, my appreciation only grows stronger. I am yet to see Operation Mincemeat and look forward to it.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Playing the piano and guitar. Walking the dog. Writing. I have also won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League by managing Liverpool FC on FIFA on several occasions. I am also currently planning my first West End solo show at His Majesty’s Theatre in London, which will take place on 26th May 2024. It’s very exciting.
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