Staging a classic tale

More than 100 people also applied for the role of translating the script. This reception gave Ma and his colleagues confidence that the Chinese production would be a success.

Serin Kasif, a representative of RUG, says in a video clip that some 200 applicants made it to the final audition because the creative team was simply "blown away by the caliber of talent".

Kristen Blodgette, the musical supervisor of the Chinese production, also praises local talent, noting that it is unusual for so many people to meet the requirements.

"The musical is an extremely challenging score to sing," she says. "Andrew has written the role in a way which utilizes every range and every color of the voice, from a low A flat to a high A flat …to weeping cries and loud exclamations, that are all very challenging on the voice."

Besides excellent vocal techniques, performers will also need a good acting range as the Phantom is a complicated character who is vulnerable, exotic and unique all at the same time.

One of the three actors for the title role is Ayunga, an ethnic Mongolian musician in China, who has starred in major productions such as the Chinese version of Romeo and Juliet and Monte Cristo. Ayunga has in recent years been working as a producer of Chinese musicals, too.