Michael Ball Headshot

Michael Ball

Birth Place: Stratford-on-Avon, West Midlands, ENGLAND

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Michael Ball BIO

Michael made his West End debut when Cameron Mackintosh cast him as Marius Pontmercy in the original London production of Les Misérables 35 years ago. Last year Ball led an all-star company for the special concert engagement of Les Mis, playing Javert, a role that he is thrilled to reprise this festive season, in response to the challenges of 2020 and the necessity to open theatres countrywide- The Show Must Go On! In 2021 Michael will lead the spectacular new production of Hairspray at the London Coliseum, reprising his Olivier award winning performance as Edna Turnblad. His previous theatre credits include Chess at the London Coliseum, Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Adelphi Theatre, Mack and Mabel at Chichester Festival Theatre and on tour, Passion at the Queen’s Theatre, Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre and on tour, The Woman in White at the Palace Theatre and then on Broadway, The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Aspects of Love at the Prince of Wales Theatre and on Broadway, Patience at New York City Opera, Kismet at the London Coliseum (with Alfie Boe), Alone Together at the Donmar and Theatre Royal, Haymarket and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium, where he played Carrie Hope Fletcher’s stage father, Caractacus Potts. Alongside his musical theatre career, for which he has received two Olivier Awards and an OBE, Ball is a platinum-selling recording/concert artist, and was the first musical theatre star to have been given a solo concert at BBC Proms. In 2020 Michael topped the singles charts with Captain Tom Moore and the Voices of Care Choir with You’ll Never Walk Alone in aid of NHS Charities Together. He currently presents The Michael Ball Show on BBC Radio 2 and has also presented multiple television series. Alongside his solo career, Michael has had a number of triumphs with Alfie Boe – number 1 albums in 2016 & 2017, followed by a third album release in 2019 which debuted at number 2. With combined sales of over 1.5 million, it led to them winning a pair of Classical Brit awards and being asked to front their own ITV specials, as well as touring international arenas. In 2019, Ball completed a 23 date tour of the UK to coincide with the release of his number 1 album, Coming Home To You.
Their fourth studio album, titled Together at Christmas, was released in 2021.

Michael Ball Photos

Michael Ball STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
2023
George

[West End]
West End Revival, 2021
Javert [Replacement]

[West End]
London Revival, 2021
Edna Turnblad

[West End]
West End Staged Concert Revival, 2021
Javert

[West End]
London Coliseum Revival Production, 2018
Anatoly

[West End]
Chichester Festival Theatre Production, 2012
Sweeney Todd

[West End]
London Production, 2007
Edna Turnblad

[West End]
English National Opera Production, 2007
Hajj/Poet

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 2005
Count Fosco

[Off-Broadway]
New York City Opera Revival, 2005
Reginald Bunthorne

[West End]
Original London Production, 2004
Count Fosco [Replacement]

[London Fringe]
London Concert Revival, 2004
Joe Gillis

[West End]
Original London Production, 2002
Caractacus Potts

[West End]
London Concert, 1997
Giorgio

[West End]
London Revival, 1996
Giorgio

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1990
Alex Dillingham

[West End]
Original London Production, 1989
Alex Dillingham

[West End]
Original London Production, 1985
Marius

Chain Gang

Michael Ball Productions

 
[West End, 2010]
Producer

Michael Ball Movies

England, My England
[ 1995 ] Henry Purcell
Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary
[ 2010 ] Marius - 1985 Cast
Les Misérables: The Staged Concert
[ 2019 ] Javert

Michael Ball Awards and Nominations


winner
Olivier Awards - 2013 - Best Actor in a Musical

Michael BallSweeney Todd


winner
Olivier Awards - 2008 - Best Actor in a Musical

Michael Ball, Hairspray

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical

Michael Ball, The Woman in White

Michael Ball Videos

Michael Ball News


Videos: GUYS & DOLLS, HADESTOWN, and More Perform at the Olivier Awards


Last night, the 2024 Olivier Awards were held at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Hannah Waddingham. Check out some of the evening's performances, including Hadestown, A Strange Loop, Guys & Dolls, and more!

Video: The Cast of OPERATION MINCEMEAT Performs 'Born to Lead' at the Olivier Awards


Last night, the 2024 Olivier Awards were held at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Hannah Waddingham. Among the performances was one from the cast of Operation Mincemeat who performed 'Born to Lead'. Watch the video here!

Video: NEXT TO NORMAL Cast Performs a Medley at the 2024 Olivier Awards


Last night, the 2024 Olivier Awards were held at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Hannah Waddingham. Among the performances was one from the West End cast of Next to Normal, who took the stage to perform a medley of songs from the show. The medley included 'I Miss the Mountains', 'Superboy and The Invisible Girl' and 'I'm Alive'. Watch the video here!

Video: Hannah Waddingham Opens the 2024 Olivier Awards With 'Anything Goes'


Last night, the 2024 Olivier Awards were held at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Hannah Waddingham. Waddingham opened the ceremony with a performance of 'Anything Goes' to kick off the festivities! Watch the video here!

Video: Tom Francis Performs 'Sunset Boulevard' at the 2024 Olivier Awards


Last night, the 2024 Olivier Awards were held at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Hannah Waddingham. Among the performances was one from the West End cast of Sunset Boulevard who performed 'Sunset Boulevard' during the ceremony. Check out the video here!

Video: Olivier Awards Honour Those We've Lost With 'In Memoriam' Segment


Last night, the 2024 Olivier Awards were held at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Hannah Waddingham. Each year the Olivier Awards takes a moment during the ceremony to remember those members of the London theatre community who have sadly passed away in the previous year.

MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Album Will Be Released Next Month


The 42-track live recording of My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert will be released on double CD and digital platforms worldwide on Friday, May 31 from Concord Theatricals Recordings.

How to Stream the 2024 Olivier Awards in the U.S., Canada, and Australia


The 2024 Olivier Awards will be able to streamed on BritBox in the U.S., Canada, and Australia this weekend.

West End Star Bradley Jaden Makes His US Debut At Sony Hall This June


West End's Bradley Jaden makes his US debut at Sony Hall on June 3rd with a special guest, a three-time Tony Award winner.

Olivier Awards 2024: The Full List of Winners


The biggest stars of London theatre gathered today at the Royal Albert Hall for the Olivier Awards 2024, hosted by Hannah Waddingham. Find out about Sunset Boulevard and the night's other big winners!

NEXT TO NORMAL, HADESTOWN, and More Will Perform at the 2024 Olivier Awards


The performances have been announced for the 2024 Olivier Awards 2024!  The Awards will take place on Sunday 14th April at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Hannah Waddingham. 

Video: Aaron Tveit Sings 'Younger Than Springtime' at R&H 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT


We feel 'Younger Than Springtime' after seeing Aaron Tveit sing the classic song from Oscar Hammerstein's South Pacific during the star-studded event, My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert, which is now available for on-demand streaming in North America through March 31.

Bradley Jaden Sells Out Cadogan Hall and Adds Second Date


Due to demand, West End Superstar Bradley Jaden has added a second London date to his first ever international solo concert tour. The new performance is on 15 June.

Bradley Jaden Will Perform in Concert at Cadogan Hall


West End Superstar Bradley Jaden will play a very special London concert at Cadogan Hall on Friday 14 June as part of his first ever international solo concert tour, BRADLEY JADEN LIVE IN CONCERT.

Video: Audra McDonald Sings 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain' at MY FAVORITE THINGS


More than 10 years since The Sound of Music Live! premiered on television, Audra McDonald reprises her stunning rendition of 'Climb Ev’ry Mountain' for My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert. Watch a video clip here!

Video: Aaron Tveit Sings 'Ten Minutes Ago' at THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT


We want to ring out the bells after seeing Aaron Tveit sing 'Ten Minutes Ago' during the star-studded event, My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert, which will be available for on-demand streaming in North America from March 24 - 31. Watch a video clip here!

Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert MY FAVORITE THINGS Will Be Available to Stream in the US


My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert will be available to stream on-demand in North America from Sunday, March 24 through Sunday, March 31, 2024. We have all of the details on how you can watch from home!

MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 80th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Will Screen in Cinemas in Australia and New Zealand


The star-studded My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert, filmed last December, will be screened in more than 100 cinemas across Australia and New Zealand from 21st March 2024.

Q&A and Interview: The Development of EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE and Actor Ivano Turco on Joyful Queer Representation


BroadwayWorld was invited to a celebration of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Peacock Theatre. We were treated to a Q&A with Dan Gillespie Sells (Music), Ivano Turco (Jamie New), Giovanna Fletcher (Miss Hedge) and Talia Palamathanan (Pritti Pasha), hosted by Jonathan Butterell (Director). Here are some highlights from the Q&A, as well as an interview with Ivano!

PURLIE VICTORIOUS Stage Film to Premiere on PBS This May; Great Performances Sets New 'Broadway's Best' Lineup


The live capture of the recent Broadway revival of Purlie Victorious is premiering on PBS this May. Starring Leslie Odom Jr., the Kenny Leon-directed production was filmed before it closed on Broadway earlier this year. The lineup also includes the Audra McDonald concert, Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary, Hamlet, and more!

Michael Ball FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Michael Ball been in?

Michael Ball has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Michael Ball been in?

Michael Ball has appeared on London's West End in 15 shows.

What was Michael Ball's first West End show?

Michael Ball's first West End show was Les Miserables which opened in 1985

What awards has Michael Ball been nominated for?

Michael Ball has been nominated for several awards, including Best Actor in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for his roles in "Sweeney Todd" and "Hairspray." He was also nominated for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for his performance in "The Woman in White."

What awards has Michael Ball won?

Michael Ball has won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performances in "Sweeney Todd" and "Hairspray."

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