David Shannon: “Returning as The Phantom has been very rewarding”

On November 9, 2009 David Shannon replaced Ramin Karimloo as The Phantom in the West End production of Andrew Lloyd Webber´s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. This musical is being performed at London´s Her Majesty´s Theatre for over 23 years now.

David Shannon has an extensive career in musical theatre. He has starred in the London productions of LES MISÉRABLES, NOTRE DAME DE PARIS, THE BEAUTIFUL GAME, WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND, CATS, MISS SAIGON or MARTIN GUERRE; and regional or tour production credits include such musicals as SWEENEY TODD, TOMMY, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, GREASE or THE WIZ.

David Shannon tell us about what does it means to him starring in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, as well as about his artistic career.

YOU JOINED THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA LAST NOVEMBER. HOW WOULD YOU VALUE THESE MONTHS PERFORMING THE PHANTOM AT HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE?
It’s been hard, informative and exhilarating and returning as The Phantom has been very rewarding.

YOU ALREADY PERFORMED THE ROLE OF RAOUL IN THE SHOW… WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST FROM EACH OF THESE ROLES?
Raoul was a challenge as he is the underdog and of course The Phantom is challenging for its constant energy.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE REASON THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA IS SO APPEALING TO AUDIENCES?
It’s a heartbreaking love story.

LOVE NEVER DIES, HAS JUST OPENED IN LONDON. DO YOU THINK THAT THIS NEW MUSICAL WILL AFFECT IN ANY WAY THE RUNNING OF THE PHANTOM IN THE WEST END?
I think it will be positive as people want to know where the story came from so I’m very excited by it.

YOU’VE PERFORMED IN SO MANY ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S MUSICALS (THE BEAUTIFUL GAME, WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND, JESUSCHRIST SUPERSTAR, CATS). HAVE YOU GOT ANY FAVOURITE WEBBER’S SHOW?
I love JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. It’s very me musically. I like his music as it suits how I sing and how I like to sing.

YOU EARNED AN OLIVIER NOMINATION FOR THE ROLE OF JOHN IN THE BEAUTIFUL GAME. WHAT DID IT MEAN TO YOUR PERFORMING THIS CHARACTER AND THIS RECOGNITION TO YOUR WORK? WHY DO YOU THINK THIS SHOW WAS NOT AS SUCCESSFUL AS EXPECTED?
It was an honour to be nominated as I really believed in this show. It didn’t work as well because it is hard to find an audience for the story.

RECENTLY, YOU PERFORMED JEAN VALJEAN IN LES MISÉRABLES… WHAT DID YOU ENJOY THE MOST OF WORKING ON THIS SHOW AS VALJEAN?
Jean Valjeans’ journey as a man is wonderful to play.

YOU’VE BEEN WORKING FOR YEARS IN STARRY ROLES IN THE WEST END… HOW DO YOU THINK MUSICAL THEATRE HAS EVOLVED THROUGH ALL THESE YEARS?
Sadly I feel we have lost a little to celebrity based shows as it used to be the show was the star, but on a positive side the subject matter is constantly being challenged for musicals.

ANOTHER ONE OF THE MAIN ROLES OF YOUR CAREER WAS GRINGOIRE IN NOTRE DAME DE PARIS. HOW DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THIS PRODUCTION?
I loved this show. I had such fun in this role.

David Shannon (The Phantom) and Gina Beck (Christine) in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA