All About Michael

Michael Ball's phenomenal talent and rich, golden voice has captivated fans all over the world. As well as being one of the United Kingdom's finest musical theatre actors, Michael has also enjoyed a hugely successful recording and touring career.

Michael began his musical theatre career in 1984 when he appeared as Judas/John The Baptist in Godspell, then as Frederic in The Pirates Of Penzance. It was during The Pirates Of Penzance that Michael caught the eye of Cameron MacKintosh, and in 1985 was given the role of Marius in the original cast of Les Miserables. In 1987 Michael took over the role of Raoul in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom Of The Opera, and in 1989 originated the role of Alex in Aspects Of Love in London, then reprised the role in 1990 on Broadway.

1992 brought a change for Michael, when he represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest, where he placed second with the song One Step Out Of Time. After this Michael recorded his first solo recording appropriately titled 'Michael Ball', and undertook his first major tour of the UK.

The next few years saw Michael recording more CDs, performing in sell-out tours and hosting his own television show in which he had guests such as The Bee Gees, Monseratt Caballe, Cher, Cliff Richard, Ray Charles and James Brown. In 1995 Michael starred in his first movie, England My England, where he portrayed composer Henry Purcell.

In 1996 Michael returned to the theatre to play Giorgio in Stephen Sondheim's musical Passion. Following Passion, Michael appeared in various concerts, released concert videos, and recorded more CDs, including The Movies, Michael's first CD to go platinum.

In 2001 Michael performed a one-man show at the Donmar Warehouse which he named Alone Together. Michael, along with lone pianist Jason Carr as accompaniment, told the story of a performer entirely through song. This show included what Michael has fondly termed the 'medley from Hell', an 8 minute medley comprising over 30 songs from the musical theatre. Michael's incredible performance, versatility and talent left audiences spellbound.

Alone Together brought Michael back to the theatre, and in 2002 Michael undertook the role of Caractacus Potts in the Sherman Brothers' popular and endearing children's classic, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Michael was in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for 16 months, the latter part of which was also spent recording a new CD.

In September of 2003, Michael released a new CD titled 'A Love Story', which was the poignant and emotional story of a beautiful yet doomed love affair, told entirely through song. The CD also included the song 'Me And My Shadow', a delightful duet with Antonio Banderas.

Late 2003 saw Michael undergo a hugely successful UK wide tour, which he named 'I Wish You Love'. The concert at Hammersmith was recorded for DVD/Video release, hopefully later in 2004. The end of 2003 also saw Michael perform at the prestigious Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, along with special guests Caroline Sheen, Celia Graham, John Owen-Jones, Michael McCarthy and Jason Carr.

2004 promised to be an exciting year for Michael. In March he set out on a 5 city tour of Australia, including the famous Sydney Opera House. In April, Michael joined Petula Clark and Emma Williams to perform 2 concerts of Sunset Boulevard in the Cork Opera House, where he portrayed writer Joe Gillis. The shows were a huge success, and there are rumours there may be more shows in future.

In May, Michael performed his first concerts in the USA, in Salt Lake City, Utah. May 14, 2004 was proclaimed Michael Ball Day, and Michael was presented with the key to the city by the mayor of Salt Lake City during a fan luncheon. Michael then performed two hugely successful concerts, aptly showing why he is one of musical theatre's best.

Michael spent the summer of 2004 performing summer concerts, including performing at the prestigious Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, and in the gala opening of the Millenium Centre in Cardiff. Autumn saw Michael reprise his one-man show Along Together at the Theatre Royal Haymarket's Singular Senstions. Michael also released a double CD titled The Essential Michael Ball, as well as his long awaited Live In London DVD of his 2003 concert at London's Hammersmith Apollo.

Spring of 2005 saw Michael take over the role of Count Fosco in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical Woman In White. After this Michael embarked on a very successful tour of the UK. Michael is also in the process of recording a new CD for release later this year. This Autumn Michael will be taking on a different type of role, traveling to New York to appear in Gilbert and Sullivan's opera, Patience.