'The Phantom of the Opera' streaming for free again

Ready to be seduced by the Angel of Music anew?

After being shown online for free last April to fulfill a cause, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary version will be streamed for free once more to commemorate the show's first ever performance decades back.

Phantom, which premiered on October 9, 1986 at Her Majesty's Theatre in Westminster, London, will be shown on Universal’s free YouTube channel "The Shows Must Go On!" for  48 hours. The free stream starts this Saturday 2AM Manila time (Friday 7PM in London, at 24 hours only in the UK and Ireland).

The version, filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2011, starred Ramin Karimloo as the hauntingly amorous Phantom and Sierra Boggess as damsel in distress Christine Daaé. It also cast Hadley Fraser as the Phantom's rival Raoul.

Famed British producer Cameron Mackintosh helmed the staging of 25th anniversary version, with a fully staged set that further adorned the Victorian-themed London hall. He put together a cast and orchestra of over 200, with special guest appearances including Lloyd Webber and past Phantom cast leads and creative team members.

Lloyd Webber delivered a speech in this version's finale. His wife and the original Christine — Sarah Brightman — also performed the titular song with past Phantom actors Colm Wilkinson, Anthony Warlow, Peter Jöback, and John Owen-Jones.

The Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running Broadway musical show today, having surpassed previous record-holder Cats in 2006. It has won major theater awards including seven Tony's and four Olivier Awards in the West End.

Its latest tour included a run in Manila last year.

To commemorate the show's anniversary this year, Lloyd Webber has also posted on Facebook a past footage of him workshopping with lyricist Charles Hart and departed producer Hal Prince.

Banner image taken from The Show Must Go On!'s YouTube account