Unless you’ve been hiding out in an isolated lair under an opera house for the last few weeks you’ll surely have heard about singer Zayn Malik’s shock departure from the much loved pop band One Direction. The news rocked the lives of fans all over the world and has left people wondering what the young singer will do next. Although there has been much speculation as to future of the coiffed heartthrob, a source close to him has exclusively revealed he is currently in talks to make his West End debut next year as none other than Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagney in The Phantom of The Opera.

The character of Raoul, a young successful fop who sweeps the Phantom’s leading lady off her feet in the show, feels like the perfect role for Mr Malik and will mark his West End debut! Following in the footsteps of a slew of incredible musicians such as Beverley Knight and Nicole Scherzinger (who has since been replaced by the fabulous Kerry Ellis) in West End musicals such as Memphis and Cats respectively, and completely wowing everyone in the process, there is no doubt that this unusual yet innovative casting choice will be a complete success too! 

Although very little is known about this exciting casting revelation at this time, it is sure to be an incredible theatrical event, especially given that Mr Malik’s appearance is set to coincide with The Phantom of the Opera’s 30th anniversary in the West End next year! While this means that he is unlikely to be lighting up the stage of Her Majesty’s Theatre for well over a year, much like being a pop sensation, appearing in a West End show is a strenuous job and he will no doubt be taking several months to recuperate before preparing for the role. 

The Phantom of the Opera is currently only booking until September this year, so why not familiarise yourself with the story by booking to see the show this spring? With staggering performances by Gerónimo Rauch as the titular spectre, Harriet Jones as the soaring soprano Christine (with Emmi Christensson appearing in the role at certain performances) and Liam Tamne as the dashing Raoul, as well as iconic music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, if you’ve not seen this mesmerising West End classic recently, then why wait a whole year? 

01/04/2015

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