The most important thing for Ben Darmanin right now is his much-coveted place at the Royal Academy of Music in London where he will follow an intensive one-year course in musical theatre. His life has been one long journey towards this moment. He graduated from the Margaret Howard Theatre College last month, after a three-year course in performance and is waiting for the result of his dance teacher diploma. But Ben’s forte is his voice, a voice he hopes to explore to its full potential at the RAM.

Ben started out in Malta, training with soprano Gillian Zammit and dancing at the Alison White Dance Studio. He has performed in a number of musicals put up locally, including the Sound of Music, Evita, Les Misèrables, Rock Nativity and Cabaret. On August 22 and 23 at St James Cavalier he will headline a show of musical theatre numbers directed by his singing teacher Jane Webster. He will share the stage with James Draisey, Heidi Ashton, Dorian Mallia and Sarah Jane Attard.

n How old are you? Star sign and date of birth?

23. Gemini. 30 May 1983.

n What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time?

I guess I would very much like to form part of the cast of a show on Broadway or in the West End. I think I would also like to be doing some form of consultancy for young Maltese hopefuls, using my contacts to help them on their way just like so many people have helped me. I would also like to be a graduate in dance psychology and the owner of a bigger music collection!

n What is your idea of perfect happiness?

I like being surrounded by creative people. And eating chocolate fudge cake from Yates.

n What is your favourite occupation?

A musical theatre performer. Failing that, maybe a stage sweeper on Broadway or in the West End. I tend to live in a musical theatre bubble and

am never happier than when

I’m within easy reach of a

performance.

n What is your greatest fear?

Getting old. I can’t deal with wrinkles.

n What is it that you most value in your friends?

I guess the fact that I can depend on them.

n How would you like to die?

On stage. Definitely. Maybe playing Marius in Les Misèrables or Fiyero in Wicked. That would definitely be a happy death.

n What is your most treasured possession?

My music. I have 7,000 songs on my iPod and, among them, lots of musicals of course! I could not live without music: Keane and Coldplay on a Sunday morning, R&B before going out, audio books for never-ending plane and train journeys, mmmm…

n What is your greatest extravagance?

Clothing and fine food. Not that I get much opportunity at the moment. In fact, all my spare cash goes towards buying theatre tickets.

n What is your greatest regret?

I have none. I have always followed my heart.

n Which talent would you most like to have apart from the ones you already have?

I would like to be able to draw. My freehand is rather shocking; a stick man is a challenge!

n What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Life without music.

n Where would you like to live?

Anywhere, as long as I am surrounded by friends… I think I can adapt to any situation. But if I had to pick one place, I recently saw a house in the Cayman Islands with a glass floor over the sea… I would love to live in that house with the sea below me. It must be amazing.

n What is your most marked characteristic?

That would have to be my drive and my passion to succeed in my chosen profession.

n Who are your heroes/heroines in real life?

My grandma, because she showed me the meaning of true love, and my mother for facing life’s many challenges and coming up trumps.

n What is it that you most dislike?

I hate people who snore on planes. And people who are lazy and who lack passion and who fail to make full use of their talents.

n What is your motto?

Never be afraid of asking, and do not leave a stone unturned.