Phantom Of The Opera's lead actress, who grew up in Singapore, excited about homecoming show
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 often.
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 Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, and in Mumbai 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.
"The show was so grand," recalls Roberts. "Everyone has heard of it, and everyone knows the organ, the chandelier. As a young performer, you just 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 note 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 much. It removes some 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 and 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 February.
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, and 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 credits her 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, and 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 content - 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)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Paper
5 hours ago
- New Paper
Local indie theatre The Projector to cease operations on Aug 19
Local indie theatre The Projector announced on Aug 19 that it is winding down after a decade of operations. In an Instagram post, it said that it "will enter voluntary liquidation after a decade of championing alternative films, local creativity, and community-led programming". Its operations will cease on Aug 19 with immediate effect. In a press statement, it cited rising operational costs, shifting audience habits and the global decline in cinema attendance as reasons for its closure. These have made sustaining an independent cinema in Singapore an increasingly difficult endeavour, it said. Alongside these pressures are the broader realities of operating in the arts and culture sector in Singapore, "where independent ventures navigate limited resources while contributing to the country's evolving cultural landscape", it added. The Projector first opened its doors in 2014 at Golden Mile Tower, a historical building known for its Thai discos and eateries. It was started by three female co-founders: Ms Karen Tan, Ms Blaise Trigg-Smith and Ms Sharon Tan. In the past decade, it has played host to many film festivals, and screened countless indie films from across the globe. More than just a place to watch movies, it has also evolved into a cultural and events space where artists, filmmakers, and audiences gather to engage with diverse communities, it said in its statement. "It breaks our hearts to make this decision," said Ms Karen Tan. "We've fought to keep The Projector alive through every challenge - from breathing new life into a disused cinema at Golden Mile Tower, to weathering the pandemic, to expanding to new spaces." She added that she is immensely grateful to everyone who has been part of The Projector's journey, including its team, collaborators, partners and loyal audiences. "The Projector may be closing, but we hope its spirit will live on in the conversations, ideas, and communities we've nurtured," she said. The Straits Times has contacted The Projector for more information.
International Business Times
8 hours 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.
Vogue Singapore
15 hours ago
- Vogue Singapore
Shelve your statement shoes for the statement toe ring
This little piggy went to market, and this little piggy added a toe ring to cart. Brazilian model and influencer Lívia Nunes Marques had long wanted to tap the toe ring trend, but couldn't find any that actually fit her toes. So, she had them custom made. 'I think these little details can completely transform a look,' she says. 'I love the idea of 'put a rock on her hand,' so I thought, why not 'put a rock on her toes?!'' She'll often pair them with flip-flops, enjoying the juxtaposition of rubbery straps and metal. 'I love stacking more than one ring per toe.' The toe is the décolletage du jour. While the cloven-hoofed Maison Margiela Tabi transcended from its position as cult cool girl shoe some time ago, even the less esoteric among us are testing out the toe-accentuating and toe-baring side of fashion. Flip-flops have become—almost—office appropriate, peeking out from under sleek tailored pants. The early '00s peep-toe heel finds fans in everyone from Addison Rae to Cate Blanchett. Toe ring sandals from Khaite and Tory Burch are stomping up and down the West Village, and in London, the Vibram FiveFingers—a minimalist five-toe shoe made for hiking, weight-lifting, and training—abound. Jude the Label has found a cohort of celebrity fans from Chloë Sevigny to Tracee Ellis Ross for its freaky, sexy, outré 'Date' mule, with a sliver of a cut-out toe. But it's the toe ring, the '90s and aughts accessory often associated with the beach, that's less libidinal, more luxe—on the Rabanne and Burberry runways, on the feet of Rihanna. Most recently: a gold band with three diamond prongs encircled Bad Bunny's toe on the cover of his latest single, 'Alambre Púa.' Marques has plenty of others to go to toe-to-toe with too in the world of digital decoration. Toe rings by Simuero. Courtesy of Simuero Rocío Gallardo, creative director of Valencia-based handcrafted jewellery studio Simuero, was inspired to turn their bestselling rings—the Faro, Buzo, and Duna—into toe rings. The brand already had the Arena toe ring, but this expanded the collection with colourful birthstones. She and co-founder Jorge experimented: 'The whole thing felt like a game, very instinctive.' When we speak, she's wearing a bikini and three toe rings—appropriate for 25°C Spain. She never takes hers off, even with closed shoes—one is even her engagement ring. 'Made by me, for me, with a diamond, worn on my toe.' 'What I love about my job is not having to keep up with trends,' says Gallardo. 'I get to design what I feel is coming, without looking around too much. So when something ends up being 'in,' I'm never sure if it's just a lucky coincidence or a shared wavelength with other people creating at the same time.' 'Either way, I love that they're back. It feels spontaneous, playful, not too serious.' Tessa Tran, CEO and creative director of Chan Luu, a jewellery label founded by her aunt in 1983, was inspired by frequent trips to India for their toe rings. The brand celebrated their latest launch with a 'pedi party' at a New York nail salon, where a guest stacked two of their chunkier style Caprice rings on her pinkie toe, feet encased in Jimmy Choos. While previous iterations some five years ago were dainty and delicate solitaires, Chan Luu's new collection has gotten more maximalist, including a 14K white pearl toe ring, and a toe knuckle ensconcing crystal and emerald piece. 'Toes are definitely having a moment,' says Tran. 'An openness to being playful and bold is definitely back in fashion. We're exiting the quiet luxury era and accessories. A bold head scarf, an embellished shoe, a big toe ring are easy ways to transform an entire look.' Tran herself wears the stacked Ripple toe rings on her second left toe, and two 14K gold diamond rings on her right fourth toe. Now, she's considering putting her diamond earring through her still-there belly piercing she got when she was in high school—because 'Why not?' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chan Luu (@chanluu) 'I'm enamoured with how people wear jewellery in India,' she says. 'It's not just aesthetic, everything has meaning. Toe rings for example, are traditionally worn by Hindu women as a symbol of marital status, but are also worn for Ayurvedic health benefits. Aesthetically, I was inspired by the layers of jewellery women wear around their feet—stacks of anklets and multiple rings on one toe.' 'As someone who is a purveyor of shoes, specifically vintage shoes, I'm constantly looking for ways to accessorise my feet,' says Julia Rabinowitsch, vintage sourcer and founder of lifestyle site The Millennial Decorator, 'so the arrival of the toe ring has been extremely fun to see and include within my content.' Rabinowitsch has been fielding 'endless sourcing requests' for '90s-era heels. 'I'm not surprised feet accessorising has [also] come back,' she says. She's been loving toe rings and anklets, especially from Chan Luu. For Paris-based Charlotte Chesnais, founder of her own eponymous jewellery brand, the trend feels both distinctly '90s and of the moment—made for the Havaianas revival and The Row's viral Dune flip-flop. 'It's always a question of balance,' she says, 'between the choice of shoes, colour of pedicure, the amount and style of rings.' An Instagram post showed her toes adorned with her own rings—made for fingers. Would she make toe-specific styles? 'Never say never.' It's an easy trend to dip in and out of—customisable, stackable, big to little piggy toe-traversing. And it doesn't necessarily require buying more than what's already in your jewellery box at home. We're seeing them styled with beachy balloon pants and flip-flops, as much as club-ready dresses and wedges. For Tessa Tran, toe rings are for all the modern day Carrie Bradshaws, pairing opulent toe jewels with open, The RealReal-bought Manolos. Gallardo thinks of the Simuero customer, who would benefit from some toe rings in their sartorial summer lexicon: 'She's got a sense of humour about life and doesn't take things too seriously, especially not herself. She gets that fashion is there to have fun with, not something to overthink. No big statements, no perfect outfits. Just a lot of sun, few prejudices, and a strong urge to be outside.' The biggest statement? Book that pedicure. This article was originally published on Vogue .com.
