Thomas Armstrong-Robley is world's youngest Phantom in Redcliffe Musical Theatre production of Phantom of the Opera

A BRISBANE boy will become the world's youngest Phantom in a full-scale stage production of the famous musical.

Phantom

BEING the youngest person to play the role of Phantom does not intimidate Thomas Armstrong-Robley.

The 19-year-old from Redcliffe, north of Brisbane, is set to become the youngest ever Phantom when Redcliffe Musical Theatre brings Phantom of the Opera to Redcliffe Cultural Centre in December.

The youngest performer in a full-scale musical production was previously 26.

Not even the prospect of four hours in the makeup chair, multiple wigs, a mask, and an emotionally challenging role can take the shine off this achievement.

"I thought it was a stupid idea to audition for Phantom ... I am Raoul to the core - my look, my voice, my age, I should be playing Raoul," he said.

But the gamble of auditioning for the lead role paid off.

"I need things to sink my teeth into and there is so much substance in the role of Phantom."

"I like taking a challenge and by the end of the performance my goal is to have people thinking the Phantom is not a bad guy, he just has some problems."

The dedicated performer hired a psychiatrist to do an analysis of the character before he even auditioned.

"I wanted to really understand the character," he said.

In perhaps the most famous musical theatre role of all time, the young performer handles the pressure in a mature way beyond his years.

"I like that everyone knows him and will be judging my performance, that is the challenge," he said.

"Some of the older people coming to the show will remember Michael Crawford and he is the man; no one did it before him in terms of musicals."

The teen has starred as the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzanze and wowed audiences as Kenickie in Grease in 2012.

The role of Phantom is the ultimate, but still just a stepping stone.

"I look at this as the first time, but not the last. This is the warm-up for London.

"When I've played the Phantom in London, that is when I can say I can die a happy man."

Visit redcliffephantom.com.au.