Colm Wilkinson opened the Canadian production of The Phantom of the Opera in Toronto in 1989. Best known as the original stage Valjean in Les Miserables, Colm in fact pre-dates Michael Crawford as the Phantom, having played the role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s workshop of the first half of the show at his private theatre at Sydmonton in 1985.
As well as bringing his amazing voice to the Phantom, Wilkinson brought out some of the character’s darker side, giving a more angry and violent interpretation than Crawford’s more romanticized Erik. He attracted a big crowd of fans in Toronto, where he’s returned over the years to give sell-out concerts. Colm can be heard on the Canadian Cast Highlights recording of Phantom, with Rebecca Caine and Byron Nease.
We’ll be adding more on Colm’s Phantom, including reviews, images, and fan memories!