Michael Ball


Michael Ball, born 27 June 1962, is one of the finest singer/actors to come out of Britain in a long time.  Although much of his resume is filled with musical accomplishments, he is also a quite wonderful actor as can be seen in the 1995 movie England My England, in which Michael portrayed the great composer Henry Purcell.



Bio
Michael started off his career as an actor in shows such as Godspell and The Pirates of Penzance.  These were smaller productions, but he soon got his chance to play a role in a major musical.  Cameron Mackintosh contacted Michael about the role of Marius in Les Miserables, and without hesitation Michael accepted - even leaving Pirates... a bit early to attend rehearsals for Les Miz.
Michael relates a story about accepting the role of Marius.  He says Cameron asked him if he would be willing to take on a non-singing role.  In response Michael said, "Sure, but I'm not very good at stage management."

Shortly after the play started Michael had to leave due to a severe throat problem.
But soon, he was given the only role he would not originate - Raoul in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. He took over the role for Steve Barton when the three original leads transferred to New York.
This role lead to the show and role that made him a true star.


Aspects of Love

(Michael and co-star Diana Morrison who played Jenny)

This is my favorite musical.  Although I have never seen it - with or without Michael Ball.  It is a small, unassuming tale of love in all of its forms.   Michael played the role of Alex Dillingham, a young Englishman in love with a French actress, Rose Vibert.
The entire story is far too good, to be adequately described in only a few lines.
I suggest reading David Garnett's book.  It is somewhat hard to find, but a must-have for any fan of Michael Ball and the musical.


Love Changes Everything
The theme from Aspects of Love became Number 1 on the pop charts before the musical ever opened.  Thus making Michael Ball the star vehicle for the show.
Michael became a star.
After returning from playing the role of Alex in New York, Michael embarked on a career in music.
In 1992, he placed second in the Eurovision song contest
with the song One Step out of Time and went on to record his first album.

Nine solo albums and another musical (Passion) later, he is still going strong!
(Now if only he would do a concert in the United States.)


Links

The Michael Ball Fan Club
This site is exactly what it says it is.  It has great pictures, sounds and abounds in information on what Michael is currently doing and what the future holds.  The
It also has information on joining the club and has a mailing list for members as well as non-members.

The Official Michael Ball Site
This site is mostly intended for press and the like, but it has wonderful pictures and even some movies.  The information is very up to date and very helpful.

The Really Useful Group
Okay, okay. So this isn't exactly Michael Ball, but if you like Michael, you probably do like theater.  Well, this site is for Andrew Lloyd Webber.  It has sections on each of his musicals from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat through Whistle Down the Wind. This included Aspects of Love. The site is newly redone.  I kinda liked the old one better, this one has a bit too many bells and whistles for my taste but it still does have a lot of info.


Sounds
"But I don't know anything about theatre." - From Aspects of Love
"Hey Eponine, what's up today?" - From Les Miserables
"Somebody's here!" - From Les Miserables
"I will not surrender my books to your hellish flame!" - Rage of the Heart

Coming Soon!!!
More sounds, more pictures, discography, more links.

Comments and questions are welcomed.
Feel free to contact me.

This site was last updated on April 12, 2002.


Click to return to main page