First Act of 'Phantom' Sequel to Have Private Reading

The first act of the new musical sequel to Phantom of the Opera, "Phantom: Once Upon Another Time" is about to be performed privately for friends of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Ben Elton wrote the book, which has also been worked on by American lyricist Glenn Slater, who penned Disney's The Little Mermaid as well as the musical of the film Sister Act. Hairspray director Jack O'Brien has also been involved.

It will be premiered next month at Lloyd Webber's private Sydmonton Festival, near his country pile in Hampshire.

Taking part will be the final six Nancys from the BBC reality show, I'd Do Anything, with contestant Rachel Tucker, who was voted off in the final stages, singing the role of Meg Giry.