From Patana to Phantom: Harry Mills Steals the Show!
Welcome Back Home!
Expectation and excitement filled the air at Bangkok Patana School as students, staff and parents welcomed back alum and West End performer Harry Mills, to where his theatrical journey began.
Appearing at the Whole School Welcome Assembly, Harry captivated the audience with a stirring performance of The Music of the Night from The Phantom of the Opera, a role he currently understudies with the touring London production. While many families had already seen him perform in Bangkok earlier this month, his return to Patana’s stage was met with heartfelt applause.
In a nostalgic nod to his student days, Harry also delivered a soulful rendition of At Last, a crowd favourite he once performed with the Patana Jazz Ensemble. It was a beautiful full-circle moment that had everyone cheering!.
Harry’s homecoming to Patana was more than a performance, it was a master class in perseverance. Speaking to students, he shared candid reflections on his path from school to stage, offering this advice, “With every failure came another opportunity. If it doesn’t work out the first time, try again. It took me three years to land the role of the Phantom.”
Throughout the day, Harry visited Drama classes across both Primary and Secondary schools, bringing energy, humour and a touch of West End magic. Year 5 students were particularly thrilled to play Don’t Let the Phantom Catch You, a theatrical twist on Night at the Museum which encouraged focus and physical expression.
In a lively Q&A session, students posed thoughtful questions about life on tour, the thrill of nightly performances, and the challenges of portraying such an iconic character. For many, it was a rare opportunity to learn from someone who once walked the same halls—and now lights up stages around the world.
As the day drew to a close, one message rang clear: dreams do take centre stage. And thanks to Harry Mills, Patana’s young performers are dreaming bigger than ever.
