Interviews with some leading lights of musical theatre by Mark Shenton
Michael Ball | Elaine Paige | Linzi Hateley | Sally Ann Triplett
Michael Ball
On discovering his voice
Michael's musical theatre credits include Les Misérables (original cast), The Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love (London and Broadway), Passion and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He has recently released a new double CD Love Changes Everything – The Essential Michael Ball and a DVD Michael Ball – Live in London.
How did you first discover that you had a voice?
'As a kid I used to sing along to music all the time. My dad was posted to work in South Africa, and when we were out there from 1970 to 1973 there was no television there at the time, so our entertainment was listening to records and to my mum playing the piano and singing. The woman who owned the house we leased was a big musicals buff, and had masses of albums, and I loved the idea of performing to them and showing off.'
What was the first stage show you remember seeing?
'One of the most important nights of my life was when my dad took me to see Jesus Christ Superstar at the Palace Theatre. I was 10 or 11 and just mesmerised by it – the use of music to tell a story and further a plot was electrifying.'
What was your first stage experience?
'I'd done some school plays, but then I did a residential course with the Surrey Youth Theatre and we put on The Boy Friend at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford – it was a really cool thing, and I really enjoyed it. At the time I was failing my A-levels for a second time, and had no inclination to go to university – but I didn't know what I wanted to do.'
What training did you have?
'Someone suggested I should try for drama school, and I auditioned for and got accepted on the acting course at the Guildford School of Acting. But people kept telling me I had a really nice voice. I used to busk in an underpass – I made a few bob and also learnt that I could make a noise that people would listen to.'
What was your first professional role?
'I auditioned for a production of Godspell at Aberystwyth, and got the job, my Equity card and the £90 a week Equity minimum! That first moment when the big gates swung open and I walked onstage singing, 'Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord', was magic – and I remember thinking, "I know what I'm doing here. I feel at home and comfortable."'
