Phantom Of The Opera's lead actress, who grew up in Singapore, excited about homecoming show
Phantom Of The Opera's lead actress, who grew up in Singapore, excited about homecoming show
SINGAPORE – While stage actress Grace Roberts is British, she considers herself an honorary Singaporean.
So, returning to the Lion City feels like a homecoming for the London-based performer, who plays the female lead role of Christine in the upcoming Singapore run of the popular musical The Phantom Of The Opera.
Her family migrated to Singapore from Britain when she was a six-week-old baby, and she lived here until she was 18, attending local schools and eating local food. Even after leaving what she calls her home city, she returns quite oft en.
Ahead of the show's opening night at Marina Bay Sands' Sands Theatre on May 9, Roberts tells The Straits Times: 'It always feels great to be back.
'I have so many fond memories here, from watching Imax movies at Science Centre Singapore to playing around the water fountains at Bugis Junction. I have visited the Singapore Zoo at least 50 times and loved its water play area when I was younger.'
She also enjoys her satay, chicken rice, char kway teow and Old Chang Kee curry puffs.
Roberts, who is in her late 20s, has been playing the titular antagonist's love interest on The Phantom Of The Opera's international tour since 2024. She has performed in Chinese cities such as Shangh ai, Bei jing and Guangzhou, and in Mumb ai in India.
This will be The Phantom Of The Opera's fifth run in Singapore. It was first performed here at the Kallang Theatre in 1995 and then at the Esplanade Theatre in 2007. Live entertainment company Base Entertainment Asia presented the musical at Sands Theatre in 2013 and 2019.
In a full-circle moment, she first saw the 2013 production as a teenager , and fell in love with its story, music and costumes.
With music by legendary British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, the show premiered in London in 1986. It features some of the most iconic numbers in musical theatre, such as its haunting title track, the spellbinding The Music Of The Night and the operatic ballad All I Ask Of You.
'T he show was so grand,' recalls Roberts . 'Everyone has heard of it, and eve ryone knows the organ, the chandelier. As a young performer, you ju st aspire to be part of something so epic. Being able to sing Think Of Me and Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again every night, it feels so amazing.'
She adds: 'I think I have been practising for this role for more than five years in my bedroom.'
British actress Grace Roberts as Christine in The Phantom Of The Opera musical.
PHOTO: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA SINGAPORE 2025
One of her character's defining moments is belting out the ending high not e with no accompaniment at the title track's climax. She says : 'I get a big chord from the orchestra, sing three Cs, and then I am on my own. I have to hit it well, because it is so exposed. Thankfully, the stage lighting is on me, so I can't see the audience that muc h. I t removes som e nerves because it is like there is nobody there.
'I sometimes do get nervous, but I have done so many shows now that it feels like second nature.'
Her family members still live here an d have links to Tanglin Trust School, a British international school located in Portsdown Road.
Roberts moved here from Britain when she was only six weeks old, and she lived here until she was 18.
PHOTO: JENNIE SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY
Her father, Mr David Roberts, still teaches English at the school. Her mother, Mrs Sian Roberts, who is retired, used to teach German there. Both are in their 50s. Her older sister Megan, now a director in a professional services firm in Singapore, also attended the school.
Grace Roberts, who attended Parry Primary School (now known as Xinghua Primary School), was from Tanglin Trust School's 2014 cohort during her teen years.
She played the female lead Audrey in its production of the musical Little Shop Of Horrors, and was awarded the Tanglin Alumni of the Year Award for Excellence in the Arts in Februa ry.
Roberts (left) in a production of the musical Little Shop Of Horrors at Tanglin Trust School, located at Portsdown Road, in 2014. In the show, she played the female lead Audrey, opposite her schoolmate Kyle Portnoy (right), who acted in the role of Seymour.
PHOTO: TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL
When she turned 18, she moved to London to train at the Royal Academy of Music and graduated in 2018. Roberts, who is engaged to fellow Britain-based theatre actor Simon Whitaker, played The Young Wife in the off-West End production of Hello Again in 2019, an d appeared in a concert version of the musical Les Miserables in Guernsey, an island in the English Channel, in 2018.
Roberts (front row, in front of cake) celebrating her seventh birthday at a McDonald's restaurant in Hougang with her schoolmates from Parry Primary School, and some family friends. Parry Primary School merged with Xinghua Primary School in 2007.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF GRACE ROBERTS
The soprano credi ts h er classical training to her former singing teacher Hawk Liu, a Singaporean who gave her vocal lessons when she was 15 to 18.
'He shaped my technique and artistry, introducing me to cantatas composed by Bach and works by Mozart. He really pushed me, an d I would not have known I could do what I can do, had he not been my teacher. I genuinely believe he is responsible for my voice's trajectory, and we are still in touch.'
Singapore's melting pot of cultures and diverse arts scene were also instrumental in shaping her artistic journey, she adds.
Roberts – who is also the writer and editor of Pixie Dust And Passports, a travel blog which focuses on theme park- and Disney-related conte nt – says: 'Growing up here, I saw ballet and opera shows, zitar performances, gospel choirs and Disney On Ice extravaganzas. There were small local shows as well as Wicked and Les Miserables.
'There was so much available to me that would not necessarily have been the case had I been living in another country, and I am thankful for all of it.'
Book It/The Phantom Of The Opera
Where: Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue
When: May 9 to June 22; 8pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays), 2pm (Saturdays), 1 and 6.30pm (Sundays)
Admission: $93 to $298 via Marina Bay Sands (str.sg/eZfK) and Sistic (call 6348-5555 or go to sistic.com.sg)
Benson Ang is lifestyle correspondent at The Straits Times. He writes lifestyle and entertainment features, as well as concert and theatre reviews.
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
International Business Times
an hour ago
- International Business Times
"Ketamine Queen", Jasveen Sangha, to Plead Guilty in Matthew Perry Overdose Case
The "Ketamine Queen," 42-year-old Jasveen Sangha, has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges related to the overdose death of Friends star Matthew Perry. She is the last of five defendants charged in the case, and she has agreed to a plea with prosecutors rather than going to trial, whose date had been set in September. Jasveen Sangha X In her signed plea agreement, Sangha also confessed to five charges, distributing the ketamines directly blamed for Perry's October 2023 death. She is owning her conduct, aggressively answering those questions," said her lawyer, Mark Geragos. Perry, who found international fame playing Chandler Bing in the hit US sitcom Friends, was discovered unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home. An autopsy confirmed that the immediate effects of ketamine were the cause of death. According to prosecutors, Sangha was at the helm of a North Hollywood "stash house," in which she stored and distributed drugs, including ketamine, methamphetamine, and other substances. She provided 51 vials of ketamine to an intermediary, Erik Fleming, 55, according to officials. Fleming ultimately handed the vials to Perry's assistant, 60-year-old Kenneth Iwamasa, who then injected the actor several times, records show. Detectives said it was the doses from Iwamasa that killed Perry, who was found dead in the jacuzzi by Iwamasa. Sangha pleaded guilty to one count of maintaining a drug-involved premise, three counts of unlawful distribution of ketamine, and one count of distribution resulting in death or serious bodily injury. She also admitted she sold ketamine to someone else in August 2019, who died of an overdose just hours later. While she had originally been facing nine criminal charges, prosecutors had, as part of the plea deal, agreed to reduce that number to five. If found guilty, she could be sentenced to as much as 65 years in prison. She is expected to plead formally in the coming weeks. Four other defendants in the case have reached plea agreements. They consist of two doctors who sold ketamine—Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez; Erik Fleming, a man who received drugs from Sangha; and Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry's assistant, who not only bought the substance but also injected the actor with it. All five defendants knowingly provided Perry with ketamine, using his addiction to turn a profit, federal officials said. The dual U.S.-British citizen was a familiar Hollywood name. Friends and acquaintances said she partied with celebrities and attended events, including the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Her social media accounts depicted a life of glamour, featuring pictures from luxury parties and trips to places including Mexico and Japan. Her public persona versus her charges has made for a striking juxtaposition that has caught the attention of many. In March 2024, authorities raided her home and found over 80 vials of ketamine, in addition to significant amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and Xanax. Federal authorities have said Perry's death has brought attention to the escalating misuse of ketamine in Hollywood. Although the drug does have legitimate medical applications, as an anesthetic or to treat depression, experts warn that using the drug as a party drug rather than under a doctor's care can be dangerous and that it can kill.
Nylon
8 hours ago
- Nylon
Meet the top 15 finalists of Miss Universe Singapore 2025
Celebrating SG60 with stories of purpose, resilience, and beauty with impact; Miss Universe Singapore 2025 promises to be a memorable one featuring a diverse group of top 15 finalists, from healthcare and education to fashion, sports, and advocacy, with a shared dream to represent Singapore on the world stage. This year also marks the unveiling of The Lumina Orchid, a crown designed by NJS Gold to celebrate SG60. Inspired by Singapore's national flower, the Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim, the crown showcases delicate orchid motifs interwoven with arcs of radiant crystals, symbolising elegance, resilience, and the bright spirit of Singaporean women. Each petal on the crown catches light to reflect the many facets of confidence and grace, making it a wearable work of art. Here's a closer look at the top 15 finalists. [Click on images to expand. Images courtesy of Alex Chua Photography.] The grand Miss Universe Singapore Gala Finals will take place between late September and the first week of October, with the winner going on to represent Singapore at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand in November. For more information, visit
Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Straits Times
Americans search for love in Singapore on reality TV show
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Match Me Abroad 2 is showing on TLC (Singtel TV Channel 254) on Fridays at 9pm. SINGAPORE –For some baffling reason, two Americans have picked Singapore as the place in which they look for The One in the matchmaking reality show Match Me Abroad (2023 to present). Someone has somehow convinced the series' producers that the city-state is a world capital of romance. This, without a doubt, is the greatest marketing coup of all time. Season 2 hopeful Harold Davis, 43, comes from New Mexico. The nuclear energy engineer is an anime fan and, tragically, everything about him feeds into the stereotype of the white guy who takes refuge in the idea that, over here, his American average converts to an Asian awesome. Season 2 hopeful Harold Davis, 43, comes from New Mexico and works as a nuclear energy engineer. PHOTO: WBEI 'Singaporean women are beautiful and sexy. A lot of women over there love anime. It would be cool if we nerded out on the same things,' he says in an episode of Match Me Abroad 2 , which is showing on TLC (Singtel TV Channel 254) on Fridays at 9pm. He is not hiding the fact that he is looking for a 'waifu', but his honesty is endearing. The autism that makes him socially awkward has also made him sweetly vulnerable. Harold is not doing well on his dates. He tries so hard, which is heartbreaking. It is like seeing a little boy try out for the team only to be sent back by the coach. He and his first Singapore date, a teachers' trainer named Zi Hui (nicknamed Cheezy), go to a cat cafe, where they sketch and have drinks afterwards. Their conversation flows like molasses. He covers up the silence with overlong descriptions of his life, which makes it worse. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore What led to Changi Airport runway incident involving 2 China Eastern Airlines planes in Aug 2024 Singapore Fairprice apologises after woman finds worm in salmon bought from Bedok North outlet Singapore CPIB nabs 9 suspects for alleged match-fixing in national basketball league Singapore Live Singapore-raised seafood on sale at 3 Giant supermarkets from Aug 19 Singapore Singapore seals carbon credit deal with Thailand, its first South-east Asian partner Asia Singaporean man sentenced to 72 years' jail in Malaysia for murdering wife and stepson Singapore Court to assess if teen who advertised vapes for sale on WhatsApp can receive probation In a bid to achieve a breakthrough, like a desperate general gambling it all on a frontal attack, he asks to hold her hand. She agrees, reluctantly. 'Harold's hand was really clammy. It's not a nice feeling,' she says to the camera later. She ends the date by saying it is getting late – a classic move by someone who is not feeling it. His next date, Amber, takes him to a foodcourt, where she orders stewed pig ears. 'Try the one with the cartilage,' she tells him, not noticing that his first bite of the dish moments earlier had almost made him cry, and not in a good way. Unsurprisingly, the cartilage bits do not improve his opinion of the dish. To be fair to him, pig ears is advanced-level eating, even in Singapore. Amber and Harold get a second date, but I will not spoil the ending. Like Harold, Sarah Strain, 36, from Texas has a style all her own. The blonde jewellery designer has the doll-like look many will associate with the women on Fox News. She might be a 10 in Texas, but in Tampines, her look might be a bit much. 'Singapore men have it all going on. Singapore men are hot. They have a thick head of hair, they're masculine and a lot of them are very fit,' she says over a montage of Asian male models staring sultrily into the camera, as if viewers were tapping a live stream of her brain. Texan jewellery designer Sarah Strain, 36, has a style all her own. PHOTO: WBEI Singapore as a nexus of hot, manly men with great scalp health was news to me. Had she, like many Americans before her, confused Singapore with some place else? Was she having a 'Senator, I'm a Singaporean' moment? Then she cleared it all up. 'Give me Nick Young from Crazy Rich Asians any day. I'd be so happy.' The term Paris Syndrome was coined to describe Japanese tourists who arrive at the French capital hoping to see the bastion of culture and grace that books and movies have trained them to expect. Instead, they find pickpockets and rudeness, causing them to suffer breakdowns. This must be similar to the crushing disillusionment that comes after overseas fans of the hit 2018 romantic comedy movie get here, hoping to find a Henry Golding, but see only Ken Jeongs and Jimmy O. Yangs. At least we have a nice airport. On the show, Singapore matchmaker Dolly Chua has the job of selling Harold and Sarah to the locals. In her introduction, Ms Chua says 'because of Singapore's low birth rate, matchmaking is popular here'. One day, someone will dispel the idea that Singaporeans are like zoo pandas, unable to make offspring without a lot of outside intervention, but it will not be Ms Chua. She sensibly tries to get Sarah to tone down her look, but her client is not having it. 'I always do my make-up the same, unless it's night-time. Then, I do full glam,' says Sarah, hinting that when it gets dark, she transforms into her final form. It sounds vaguely sinister. Undeterred by the setback, Ms Chua matches her with an artist and beatboxer in his 30s named Freddy. He might be a troll, because he takes a fully primped Sarah to Geylang, the red-light district, where he has picked a frog porridge restaurant. That her make-up does not run down her face in rivers of sweat is a feat of modern chemistry. Sarah's face – or at least the parts of it that can still move – registers disgust. Nick Young would never feed frogs to Rachel Chu. The other participants on Match Me Abroad have travelled from the US to Brazil and Ireland. The American women are, for the most part, levitating with joy with the men they are matched with in those countries. The same cannot be said for Sarah in Singapore. Her post-date reaction makes for great TV. Like most reality programmes, Match Me Abroad is less about finding love and more about putting thumbscrews on participants and filming the meltdown. Freddy was mostly likely asked by producers to give her frog when Sarah wanted Prince Charming. Harold might yet get his dream crushed in later episodes, but part of me is hoping that this sweet man leaves Singapore with his Asian doll fantasies intact. He is just that likeable.
