The opening of M! The Opera at Istana Budaya tomorrow marks Paula Malai Ali's comeback to the local theatre scene.

The Channel [V] VJ last tread the boards some seven years ago in The Merchant of Venice. Why did she stay away for so long?

"I was doing too many theatre productions," explains the beautiful Paula. "My whole world was theatre-centric and when you do too much of one thing, you need a break."

Of course, her job as a Channel [V] VJ also had her travelling so much that she had to turn down many theatre roles.

But now that she knows her schedule better, she's better able to manage her time and squeeze in a couple of acting projects.

Paula's theatre background includes performances in Educating Rita, Hip Hopera The Musical, Colour Blind, The Storyteller and Twelfth Night.

Her latest foray, M! The Opera, explores the dramatic struggle among those who have found fame and love, and those who are about to achieve them, all set in the sumptuous world of high couture.

For this production, Paula will be once again under the direction of Jo Kukathas, who helmed The Merchant of Venice.

She plays the role of reporter Dominique Soong, who reports on the fashion scene.

"I felt so nervous," she says of her rehearsals with the cast who include Azean Irdawarty, Maizurah Hamzah, Khir Rahman and Peter Ong. "It was like the first day at school."

Incidentally, she was pencilled into the production at the last minute, replacing Hannah Tan.

"If it were any other director, I would have declined. But I trust Jo and she always brings out an honest performance in me. It's always a pleasure to work with her."

Naturally, all eyes will be on Paula to see if she still has that stage magic.

"We will only find out on opening night," she says in jest. "I am working very hard. I don't feel pressured to live up to everyone's expectation. I only care about living up to the production's expectation.

"Jo and Saidah Rastam (the composer) have worked so hard for the production. I don't want to let them down."

Meanwhile, Paula has just completed shooting for a Singapore English film called Leapt of Love where she has a supporting role.

She has also appeared in a cameo role, playing a snotty British lady in a local film, The Red Kebaya.