Alex Dillingham

Michael Ball was born near Stratford-on-Avon, educated at Plymouth and Farnham where he performed in successive years with the Surrey Youth Theatre in their productions of The Boyfriend and Under Milk Wood. Michael trained at the Guildford School of Acting and Dance Drama, graduating in 1984 and his first professional appearance was as Judas/John the Baptist in Godspell in Wales. After acting briefly in repertory in Basingstoke, his major break came when he was cast for the smash hit production of The Pirates of Penzance at the Opera House, Manchester. He then joined the RSC and made his West End debut when he created the role of Marius in the award-winning production of Les Miserables at the Barbican and at the Palace Theatre. In addition to recording the original cast album, he also sang on the recent complete symphonic recording of Les Miserables. Subsequently he played Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s. Through his singing, Michael has made many successful appearances in cabaret, concerts, including The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Barbican and numerous broadcasts with the BBC on radio and television. Other TV work includes Coronation Street, Late Expectations, David Frost’s Guinness Hall of Fame and Save the Children Christmas Spectacular, as well as appearing on Tope of the Pops which fulfilled a life-long personal ambition. Michael is also the first artist to be signed by the newly established Really Useful Record Company/Polydor record label.

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