Ben Forster

​

Ben Forster’s career spans the West End, international arena tours, orchestral concerts, and television. He trained at the Italia Conti Performing Arts Academy in London, where he developed the vocal technique and dramatic grounding that would underpin his work in musical theatre. His early journey from Sunderland schoolboy to professional performer was documented in the BBC1 primetime TV show The Dream Academy, which followed Ben at Italia Conti academy and introduced Ben to a national audience.

Ben quickly established himself in the theatre world, appearing in a range of West End productions and tours. His stage credits include La Cava, Grease (West End and international tour), Lennon and McCartney’s All You Need Is Love, and Evita, as well as being part of the original cast of the long-running West End hit Thriller Live. He has also played Brad Majors in the special celebrity West End run of The Rocky Horror Show and took on the title role of Buddy in Elf the Musical in the West End.

​

Ben came to wider public prominence in 2012 when he won ITV1’s Superstar, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s televised search for a performer to play Jesus in the rock arena musical Jesus Christ Superstar. Selected from thousands of hopefuls, Ben led the arena production across the UK and Australia. The show was screened live in cinemas around the world, released as a best-selling DVD, and continues to be broadcast internationally, marking a major turning point in his career.

​

In February 2016, Ben was cast as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera in London’s West End, one of the most demanding and iconic roles in musical theatre. He led the production during its 30th anniversary year, when the show received an Olivier Award and widespread critical acclaim. Ben has since returned to the role on several occasions, including performances across Europe originating the new international touring production and Tokyo in Ken Hill’s original The Phantom of the Opera, and  most recently leading the world tour in Singapore.

Alongside his theatre work, Ben has developed a strong profile as a concert and recording artist. He has performed solo concerts in the UK and Japan, headlining sold-out shows in London’s West End and touring internationally. He has appeared with major orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the BSO & the BBC Concert Orchestra and has been a regular performer at the Royal Albert Hall.

In 2021, Ben produced and starred in The Best of the West End, the concert that reopened the Royal Albert Hall following the COVID-19 lockdown, marking a symbolic moment for the return of live performance. He has also presented and performed in BBC Radio 2 broadcasts from the venue, including Sunday Night Is Music Night. During the pandemic, the filmed version of Jesus Christ Superstar was released online by Universal Pictures and Andrew Lloyd Webber as part of a global initiative to provide free entertainment, reaching millions of viewers worldwide.

​

Recent highlights include touring Europe with Disney 100, performing at the Royal Variety Show for the Prince and Princess of Wales, the BBC Proms and continuing to appear in major concert and theatrical productions across the world. In 2025, Ben fulfilled a long-held ambition by recording his orchestral album, Musicals Greatest Hits, with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, further cementing his reputation as a leading voice in musical theatre.

​