The mask, the chandelier, the magical energy and the haunting music that sent shivers through theatres around the world.
On October 9, 1986, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera opened in London’s West End.
Forty years later, its music is still being performed, its famous mask is instantly recognisable and millions of theatregoers remember their first encounter with the mysterious Phantom.
The original production opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre, starring Michael Crawford as the Phantom and Sarah Brightman as Christine Daaé.
Based on Gaston Leroux’s novel, the story followed a mysterious, disfigured musical genius living beneath the Paris Opera House and his obsession with a young singer. Audiences were treated to spectacular sets, elaborate costumes, a falling chandelier and songs including The Music of the Night, All I Ask of You and Think of Me.
The gothic romance became a worldwide sensation, eventually attracting more than 160 million theatregoers across 58 territories. Its Broadway production ran for 35 years before closing in 2023 after 13,981 performances.
On October 9, 2006, Google announced an agreement to buy a young video-sharing website called YouTube for $US1.65 billion in shares.
YouTube was barely two years old, yet it had already attracted enormous attention with its homemade videos and growing online community.
The acquisition was completed the following month, helping reshape how the world watched entertainment, shared memories and discovered new talent.
October 9 is also World Post Day, marking the signing of the treaty that established the General Postal Union in 1874.
The agreement helped make international mail simpler and more reliable.
For generations of Australians, letters were an essential part of life. There were overseas pen pals, birthday cards from grandparents, handwritten love letters and the excitement of finding something addressed to you in the letterbox.
John Lennon would have turned 86 today. The former Beatle was born on October 9, 1940, and his son Sean Lennon was born on the same date in 1975.
Singer-songwriter Jackson Browne turns 78, Sharon Osbourne celebrates her 74th birthday, and Monk actor Tony Shalhoub turns 73.
Did you ever see The Phantom of the Opera on stage? And which song still gives you goosebumps?
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