MichaelBall : How to grow in Musical Theatre!

[jo]

Interesting interview with West End musical theatre star Michael Ball (always known as the original Marius...but have also sang the roles of Valjean and Javert in Les Miserables) and who has also done Broadway ( Aspects of Love & The Woman in White) on how to grow as a Musical Theatre professional. He shares his personal career experience and how he views the theatre and its many opportunities to explore this branch of the performing arts.

www.ayoungertheatre.com/spotlight-on-michael-ball/

[mamaleh]

Interesting interview. Surprising that someone closer to 60 than 50 still prefers being on the road. I wonder if his SWEENEY TODD will transfer to Broadway? I'd like to see his take on the role.

Ellen

[jo]

You’ve had a hugely varied career and experienced regional touring as well as West End runs. Do you think it’s important for actors (and audiences) to experience a variety of different styles of production?

I can’t speak for everyone, but I love being on the road, whether it’s for one of my concert tours or in a touring production such as Hairspray. I love the camaraderie on the road; we have such a laugh! It’s also great experience because you learn how each venue works: the team [spirit] of putting on a show with the crew, the musicians [and] the cast. And it’s great travelling around this beautiful country.

That reminded me of the team spirit and camaraderie in the troupe for #tmtmts!


The article, I think, is old... I can't remember when the West End transfer of Sweeney Todd happened but it was not that recent, if I recall right. I have to check if a cast recording was ever done. EDIT : There is an official cast recording... and some bootlegged DVD.

Here's a clip of maniacal Michael as Sweeney Todd with Imelda Staunton as Mrs.Lovett performing the EPIPHANY from Sweeney Todd -- very British! Sometimes we forget that Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett are British characters.

Btw, Michael and Imelda won the OLIVIER for their portrayals.






Btw, when Michael was about to do PASSION - he had an interesting exchange with Stephen Sondheim which started their friendship. I also remember that a song from the original Broadway production was rewritten by Sondheim and a second part was added because of Michael's vocal ability. When I first heard it ( I saw the show), we were all stunned at his vocal power and it was almost literally roof-raising!

This is from the cast recording ( in a studio). Imagine hearing it in a big theatre with the sound system in full blast --



Jo