The Phantom hits Las Vegas Photo: Joan Marcus

It reportedly cost $75m (�41m) to stage, including $40m to create a replica of the Paris Opera house inside the Venetian hotel.

"It's a very different experience," said Lord Lloyd-Webber on the new version of his musical.

Director Howard Prince said: "They wanted surprises, we gave them surprises."

The Phantom has grossed $3.2 billion around the world since its premiere in London in 1986 and has been performed in front of 65,000 audiences in more than 20 countries.

"It just goes on and it doesn't seem to want to go away," said Lord Lloyd-Webber.