Opera Australia has announced that The Phantom of the Opera has become the most successful production in the 15-year history of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. The 2026 season shattered all previous box office records, playing to sold-out audiences every night across an extended five-week run.
Despite returning to Sydney Harbour just four years after its previous run, The Phantom of the Opera drew significantly larger crowds in 2026, attracting more than 92,000 attendees, a 30% increase on its 2022 season.
The triumphant season also aligned with major milestones (the 40th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera and the 70th anniversary of Opera Australia), lending the production an added sense of nostalgia and occasion. There’s also no doubt that the epic scale of the show, from the floating chandelier to the live orchestra, nightly fireworks and stunning harbour backdrop, added to its huge appeal.
CEO Alex Budd said, “We have been blown away by the extraordinary success of this production. With record-breaking attendance, night after night has seen Sydneysiders alongside audiences from across Australia and across the globe, gathered on the harbour to experience this spectacular production of The Phantom of the Opera.”
“The show’s success is a testament to the vision of director Simon Phillips and his creative team, the brilliance of the cast and orchestra, and the work of the many people behind the scenes who bring this production to life each night.”
What’s next for Handa Opera?
With the success of The Phantom of the Opera this year at Handa Opera, we’re ready to make some predictions about the 2027 production.
A repeat production or a brand new show?
Opera Australia has never shied away from revisiting crowd favourites at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. The Phantom of the Opera was chosen in 2022 and 2026, while West Side Story was staged in 2019 and 2024. Madama Butterfly appeared in 2014 and 2023, Carmen in 2013 and 2017, and La Traviata in 2012 and 2021.
No musical or opera has been performed more than twice, so if Handa Opera want to pull from what they already know, they could do a repeat production of any of the following: Aida (2015), Turandot (2016), La Bohème (2018) or Guys and Dolls, though given this was the recent 2025 production, this is unlikely.
Musical or opera?
My prediction is that Opera Australia will opt for an entirely new production on Sydney Harbour in 2027. After three consecutive seasons favouring musicals over traditional opera, a repeat staging would likely signal a return to opera, but the recent success of The Phantom of the Opera, combined with the broader accessibility of musicals, suggests they’ll stay that course.
I expect they’ll capitalise on Phantom’s momentum and choose another large-scale, visually spectacular musical to headline the harbour stage next year.
Who will they cast?
The breakout star of this year’s Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour was undoubtedly Jake Lyle, the 22-year-old from Gladstone, Queensland, who stepped into the title role of the Phantom. The baritone made his musical theatre debut in what he described as a “dream-come-true” role, becoming one of the youngest performers ever to take on the iconic part.
The young performer earned widespread acclaim for his emotional depth and commanding vocals, with many hailing the role as a true breakout performance.
Lyle shared his journey to being cast as the Phantom online (he originally went to ensemble auditions), which resulted in lots of comments, including fans stating “This is what happens when we do less stunt casting👏👏👏.”
Last year, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour cast Australian singer and actor Cody Simpson as Sky Masterson in Guys & Dolls, earning strong reviews from critics. But there’s arguably something more compelling about watching a fresh talent break through on that stage.
Following the success of Jake Lyle’s Phantom, it seems likely that Opera Australia will look to spotlight the next emerging Australian star again, a move audiences are just as ready to embrace.
