Andrew Lloyd Webber has paid an emotional tribute to Ben Lewis, the West End and Australian star who has died aged 46 two years after he was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer.
Writing on X, Lloyd Webber said: “I first met Ben Lewis when he premiered the marvellous Australian production of Love Never Dies in which he played the Phantom. After his huge personal success in the role, he came to London to play Phantom in the original show.
“His triumph in the role played a huge part in Phantom’s continuing London run. I feel a personal connection with Ben’s horrible cause of death. My own son Nick died of stomach and bowel cancer. Had he lived he would have been the same age as Ben when he so tragically died.
“These dreadful stomach and bowel cancers are increasingly afflicting young men who are ever more often being taken from us so cruelly, so early. My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife and family. Ben will be sorely missed by his many friends in theatre all over the world.”
Anna-Jane Casey, Ben Lewis and Damian Humbley in Forbidden Broadway. Picture: Alastair Muir.
Widely regarded as one of Lloyd Webber’s most enthralling Phantoms, Ben Lewis first stepped into the role in the original Australian production of Love Never Dies in 2011. He would go on to play the character in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera in 2017 and 2018.
The actor co-starred in the award-winning West End revival of Company with Patti LuPone, and also appeared in high-profile productions of Annie Get Your Gun, The Bodyguard and Forbidden Broadway.
Lewis’ passing was announced by his friend, former professional tennis player turned broadcaster Todd Woodbridge. Writing on Instagram, Woodbridge said: “Today we lost Ben Lewis, one of my family’s dearest friends way too young and the Australian musical theatre family also lost one of the greats.
“Ben was a star on stage as Phantom in Love Never Dies and in The Phantom of the Opera in the West End… more importantly he was one of the great humans, funny, caring and a wonderful mentor to all of the people he worked with… so many fond memories of holidays together in Scotland, visiting the dressing rooms of Her Majesty’s Theatre in London to times spent in Wimbledon… and our last pic together in late June at our home… sending our love to all the family tonight.”
Angela Thomas
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