The Phantom Of The Opera actress grew up in Singapore

British stage actress Grace Roberts lived here till she was 18, and enjoys local food such as satay and chicken rice

- Benson Ang

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, Roberts, who is in her late 20s, returns quite often. She comes back once or twice a year, and was last here in October 2024.

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 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