Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, now in its sixteenth year at Her Majesty's Theatre, has extended its booking period from April 1 to Dec. 21.

Set in a Paris Opera House circa 1911, this romantic musical is based on Gaston Leroux's gothic novel of a mysterious masked man who falls in love with Christine, a singer who inspires The Music of the Night.

The Lloyd Webber-Charles Hart musical opened at Her Majesty's Theatre on Oct. 9, 1986, starring Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. The original cast recording was the first British musical to enter the charts at number one. Since then it has gone gold and platinum in the UK and U.S., selling over 2 million copies. The show is directed by Harold Prince and produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Really Useful Group Limited.

Phantom has won 20 major theatre awards including 2 Olivier Awards, an Evening Standard Award, 7 Tony Awards including Best Musical, 7 Drama Desk Awards and 3 Outer Critic Circle Awards.

Lloyd Webber's musical is likely to win further audiences through the film version, which is to star Antonio Banderas, who also appeared (as Che Guevara) in the film version of Lloyd Webber's Evita. For tickets and further information call the Box Office on 020 7494 5400.