A SUPER trouper has landed a role in iconic musical Mamma Mia only weeks after graduating.

Actor Thomas McFarlane, 28, has secured a role playing the three dad characters in the production on board a Royal Caribbean cruise liner.

The Port thespian left the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with an MA in Musical Theatre last month and is now set to jet off to Miami this month.

Thomas said: "The cruise line stages a lot of Broadway musicals and I am in the ensemble as well as understudy for Sam, Harry and Bill.

"There's a good chance I will act in the lead roles because of the size of the production."

As well as getting the chance to work with a top American company, it also gives Thomas the chance to see the world.

Thomas said: "The first half of the season up until March will be spent in the Caribbean and the Bahamas while from August next year we will be sailing around Europe and the Mediterranean.

"I think I've been very lucky to get a role so soon after finishing my training with such a big musical and an American production team.

"It will be a good credit on my CV.

"There will be three shows a week and it is an excellent chance to find my way around a professional drama production and to see the world."

After leaving Port Glasgow High Thomas studied music at Edinburgh Napier University, followed by a PGDE in music education at Edinburgh University.

He taught for four years but at the same time continued with his passion for musical theatre and eventually decided to pursue it as a career.

Earlier this year he performed on the West End stage for the first time.

Thomas, who was brought up by his grandparents Tommy and Renee McFarlane in Pladda Avenue, believes the stage show will be a perfect fit for him.

He said: "I've always loved Abba music and listened to it when I was growing up in my grandparents house.

"They gave up everything to support me and they have been with me every step of the way.

"I couldn't be grateful enough for everything they have done for me."

Thomas is pictured in Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Royal Welsh College and at his graduation ceremony.