From Malta to one of London’s most famous stages, Maltese musical theatre performer Marianna Micallef has had quite the summer.

The newly graduated performer from Bird Conservatoire recently stepped into the spotlight at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms 2026, performing on a night celebrating the music of legendary Disney composer Alan Menken.

And if that wasn’t enough of a way to start her professional career, she was sharing the stage with some serious musical theatre talent, including Stewart Clarke, Ben Forster, Lucie Jones, Sam Oladeinde, Celinde Schoenmaker and Marisha Wallace, accompanied by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Sarah Hicks.

Marianna’s Royal Albert Hall appearance comes hot on the heels of another major summer milestone. In August, she took on the role of dance captain in the National Youth Music Theatre’s production of West Side Story at Birmingham Hippodrome, working alongside a professional creative team and gaining valuable experience behind and on the stage.

Reflecting on the BBC Proms performance, she describes it as “a first step, not a final destination.” She says she is looking forward to continuing her training and development, with a clear ambition to establish herself within the UK musical theatre industry.

From the Mediterranean to the West End and beyond, it seems Malta has another performer to keep an eye on!