#ellen jackson

Propaganda Under the Cut:

Members of the London production saying goodbye to Her Majesty’s.

Phantom London Room 97.

L-R- Corinne Cowling, Manon Taris, Sophie Caton, Eleanor Sanderson-Nash, Rebecca Ridout, Ellen Jackson, Victoria Ward & Katy Hanna.

Since Cameron Mackintosh won’t do it, looks like the phans will have to. 

Now, while I do hope that Cammack will at least invite all of them back for a final show, a final week, a final something, it seems that nothing really is in that mans head anymore. So, here are the four longest running actors that were in the London production at the time of its shutdown due to Covid:

Scott Davies: Pretty well known among phans; I don’t think I have seen one person not love him who has seen him live. From what I have seen and heard he was a magnificent Phantom in every aspect, and was also a sweetheart too. He began as a swing in the 90′s, then was u/s Phantom and also Raoul. Came back as Phantom standby in 1997. Then became the principal Phantom in the UK Tour from 1998-99, transferring directly to the West End as the principal from 1999-2001. After some years away he came back as standby in 2009, and remained so until now. So altogether... some 25 years almost?

Claire Tilling: I think her first time with the show was in 2004 when she played Meg. From there, I believe she was with the show the entire time up until now, as a member of the Corps de Ballet. Some 16/17 years?

Philip Griffiths: This man has been with the show for almost the entire run! He holds the Guinness World Record for longest continuous run in a West End show, which became official February 22, 2016. So we can guess he joined some time around 1991. He has done the Auctioneer, Reyer, Andre, Jeweler, he could probably do Christine by now. One man Phantom starring Philip Griffiths, anyone?

Ellen Jackson: I suppose we can say she is the second longest running POTO cast member in London. I believe she was first listed as being with the show in 1995, left for a few years, and then came back. Apparently they begged her to come back because her replacement just wasn’t as good. And she has been with the show ever since! Definitely some 20 years by now.

I would hope that they would all come back to the show, but honestly I can see where none of them might want to. Unless they are asked back, it seems that they would have to re-audition. Which after all these years would be almost an insult. It is a shame that this is how their runs have most likely ended, for all of the cast. These four especially served as a huge backbone for the show. Whether it be filling in for another role at a moments notice or just consistently being there almost every day. And it is a shame because since they served as a standby, cover, or ensemble member, they are often overlooked. All of that cast deserves a proper send off, but at the very least we can give these four the love they deserve. 

Amy Manford posted photos of some cast members in honor of their last day.