Quinton Hocquard's first ever theatre audition secured him one of the principal roles in the Napier Operatic Society's Mamma Mia, which opens in just over two weeks' time.
In the show he plays Sky, fiance of bride-to-be Sophie, played by Laura Jeffares. Sophie's wish to find her father, and decision to send wedding invitations to three old boyfriends of her mother Donna, sets off multiple shockwaves in the usually sleepy Mediterranean beach resort where she lives.
Hocquard, a self-employed landscape gardener, reckoned the only sort of singing he'd really done until the audition was in the shower, and definitely nothing in public. But encouraged by his wife Laura, he decided to give it a go, and walked away from his audition hoping director Wendy Revell might give him something.
"To be called back and asked to play Sky was quite humbling. It's not a huge role but for me, it's enough time in the spotlight."
The experience has been incredible, he says, and he's certainly not ruling out auditioning for more shows in the future.