Company members from the West End production of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom Of the Opera", have raised almost £12,000 for MacMillan Cancer Care by cycling more than 385km - in between shows - from central London all the way to the steps of the Paris Opera House (where the Phantom's story is set) in just 28 hours. Scroll down for photos!
In memory of the late, long serving Les Miserable wig mistress Melanie Oakley-Dow, who died in 2013, and Phantom wardrobe assistant Paula McIntosh, (who died last week, just six weeks after being diagnosed with breast cancer), "The Great Phantom Cross Channel Charity Cycle", saw company members Ryan O'Gorman (Swing), Tim Laurenti (LeFevre), Tim Morgan (Don Atillio), Richard Munday (cover Raoul) and trumpeter Simon Cheney saddle and wrap up against the elements on an overnight cycle ride - departing after the second show on Saturday 9th May. Exhausted from their epic journey, which saw the cyclists arrive in Paris at 03:00, having travelled through intense thick fog, mountainous terrain, 75% head wind and (severe chaffing!), all five riders were back at work at Her Majesty's Theatre for the 19:30 show on Monday evening. By strange coincidence, when having their photograph taken outside Opera Garnier wearing their signature green Macmillan Cancer Cycle Tops emblazoned with the iconic Phantom mask, they were approached by a British lady visiting Paris with her husband, who just happened to be Lynda Thomas, the CEO of MacMillan Cancer Care!The donations page closes on June 9th. Visit JustGiving at www.justgiving.com/PhantomCharityCycle.