A 130-member team, grand visuals, a dazzling chandelier, and an unparalleled performance

Cankarjev dom hosted one of the world’s most spectacular musicals, crowning a successful first half of the cultural season. For the first time ever in Slovenia, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s timeless masterpiece The Phantom of the Opera was staged at Gallus Hall of Cankarjev dom, marking one of the highlights of the 73rd Ljubljana Festival.

Widely considered one of the most complex and technically demanding musicals in the world, the production enchanted audiences not only with its iconic music but also with its breathtaking stagecraft and spectacular scenography. Since its global premiere in 1986, the show, in its iterations, has been seen by more than 145 million people in 166 cities worldwide. Its Slovenian debut was made possible through a co-production between Festival Ljubljana, Cankarjev dom, Broadway Entertainment Group, VignaPR, and Koda Events, in agreement with The Really Useful Group.

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Behind the curtain: precision and teamwork

A team of 130 cast members, musicians, and crew brought the spectacle to life. “The musical charmed Ljubljana across fifteen performances from 9 to 20 July 2025, with more than 20,000 tickets sold,” explained Gregor Rogač, Congress Project Manager at Cankarjev dom, who coordinated the production team.

The set featured 22 scene changes and 120 automated cues, enhanced by 281 candles, smoke machines, 250 kilograms of dry ice, and striking pyrotechnics.

“The magic on stage wasn’t just the work of the performers – it required extraordinary logistics and meticulous preparation. The set featured 22 scene changes and 120 automated cues, enhanced by 281 candles, smoke machines, 250 kilograms of dry ice, and striking pyrotechnics. We are extremely proud to have met all expectations and adapted Gallus Hall to ensure the show could be hosted in Ljubljana.”

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The logistics were monumental: 13 large trucks from abroad and 2 from Slovenia

delivered the chandelier, rotating stage elements, costumes, lighting, audio systems, and more. For a week prior to the premiere, Gallus Hall was transformed into a finely tuned machine. Internal preparations alone took a day, followed by four days of installing scenery, sound, lighting and rehearsal. Never in its rich history has Cankarjev dom hosted a production requiring such an immense amount of equipment – a true test of coordination, logistics, and storage capacity, which were made possible by the biggest hydraulic elevator in the country.

The Gallus Hall itself once again proved to be a first-class venue, seamlessly accommodating the demanding scenography. The production deployed 21 hall line pipes, three massive iron trusses on top of 6 light trusses, one of the densest and most dynamic sequences ever seen. More than 500 costumes, and a wealth of special effects, including fire, moving candles, confetti, snowfall, a crashing chandelier, and even a confetti cannon.

Although the project required the enormous effort of all involved parties, the result brought great pride. “We received countless congratulations and words of praise – not only from audiences but also from colleagues and technical teams. That recognition means a lot. And beyond the stage, such a production significantly impacts the destination itself. Ljubljana’s hotels, restaurants, transport providers, and tourist attractions all felt the benefit of increased visits and overnight stays,” Rogač emphasised.

Gallus Hall rising to the challenge

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The entire city took pride in the event, and it was clear that everyone involved—whether directly or indirectly—was eager to contribute. At one point, even a local diving shop stepped in to supply gas when the team ran out during preparations for the rooftop scene at the Paris Opera. The Phantom of the Opera at Cankarjev dom was more than just a performance; it became a collective triumph that highlighted Ljubljana at its very best.

Find out more about Cankarjev dom here.