Andrew Lloyd Webber launches online competition to create Phantom cadenza

Andrew Lloyd Webber has launched an online talent contest to make up a cadenza that will be performed in The Phantom of the Opera.

He said the winner’s creation would be performed by the character of Christine when the show reopens, once lockdown measures are lifted.

To enter, performers are asked to compose their own cadenza for the song Think of Me, which features in his musical. The show is running at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London, but has been closed since venues closed their doors on March 16.

“You have been cheering me up so much with your videos that this time I thought a little challenge might be in order. I am going to ask people to sing along to Think of Me but make up their own cadenza, the bit which is the ‘me’ moment at the end of the piece, where a little showcase is done and where the orchestra drops away and the singer takes over,” he said.

Writing on Twitter, he said he wanted the entries to be as “original and outrageous as possible”.

Lloyd Webber said a judging panel would be announced shortly.