Ball-Produced LOVE STORY Transfers to West End

The UK Daily Mail reports that Michael Ball will soon see theatre from a different angle. Ball has decided to assume the role of producer for the first time with LOVE STORY, a musical adaptation of the Erich Segal novel. His investment is estimated to be close to £250,000.

Ball became interested in moving the project to London's West End when he saw Minderva Theatre production in Chichester. Adam Spiegel, one of the musical's Minerva producers, suggested he invest money to help it make a transfer. Ball said, "I thought long and hard, not for very long, and you know when you get a sense that something's right, and this is."

Performances are slated to begin this November. A starting date and theatre are yet to be announced, but Emma Williams and Michael Xavier are scheduled to continue with the West End production.

Ball recently began a sold-out limited engagement reprising his role as Edna Turnblad in the Palace Theatre's HAIRSPRAY.

Ball trained at the Guildford School of Acting and graduated in 1984. His first professional appearance was in Godspell in Wales. His first major break was a star part in the production of The Pirates of Penzance at the Opera House, Manchester.

Michael's West End debut followed in Les Miserables, which was swiftly followed by Phantom Of The Opera and Aspects Of Love.

In May 1992 Michael represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song One Step Out Of Time. He finished in second place.

1997 saw Michael perform at two open air concerts at Bedford and Barnstaple, and he also toured again in the Autumn culminating in an 11 night season at the Blackpool Opera House.

1999 was another very hectic year for Michael, being voted the Royal Variety Club's Best Recording Artist in February and undertaking a UK tour in March/April followed by his first solo concert outside the UK at the Theatre Carre in Amsterdam. He then proceeded to appear at open air concerts at Hampton Court, Castle Howard, Glamis Castle and Longleat before finishing his tour in September in Belfast and Dublin.

In 2002 Ball concentrating on his role as Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as well as perform at 3 outdoor concerts in the summer. Michael continued in this role throughout the first half of 2003. In October Michael released his album "A Love Story" and undertook a highly successful nationwide UK tour.

In 2004 Ball completed a hugely successful Australian tour, and scored a resounding success performing the role of Joe Gillis opposite Petula Clark in a concert version of Sunset Boulevard in Cork for BBC Radio 2. In May he performed at the Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, United States of America. In September he performed his one man show "Alone Together" at the Singular Sensations season at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and then went on to perform in front of the Queen and President Jacques Chirac at Windsor Castle where he played the role of Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables".

Michael continued his hectic schedule in 2005, performing the role of Count Fosco in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Woman In White" in London and then undertaking a full UK tour in May/June. He then left the UK for New York, where he played the role of Reginald Bunthorne in Gilbert and Sullivan's "Patience" for the New York City Opera. To finish off the year he reprised the role of Count Fosco for the Broadway production of "Woman In White".

Ball contined in the role of Edna in Hairspray and performing at concerts at Hampton Court, Liverpool, Kenwood House, Audley End and Patchings Art Centre. In March Michael won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Edna Turnblad in Hairspray. Michael then added another string to his bow by joining the BBC Radio 2 team for his regular Sunday morning slot "Michael Ball's Sunday Brunch".

2009 saw Michael continuing in the role of Edna in Hairspray, temporarily hanging up his dancing shoes and "boobs" on Saturday 25 July 2009. He celebrated his birthday on 27 June by performing at an open air concert at West Wycombe Park. To commemorate 25 years of being in show business, Michael released an album called "Michael Ball, Past and Present", a celebration of the past 25 years. He toured the UK in September/October, which was filmed at the Royal Albert Hall and released as "Michael Ball Past and Present Live". In December he performed a show at Feltonfleet School to raise funds for Shooting Star Children's Hospic.

 

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