Michael Ball has spoken about the emotional return of theatre, describing the opening night of his new show Hairspray as 'one of the most extraordinary nights I've ever had in the theatre'. The singer and actor, who plays matriarch Edna Turnblad at the London Coliseum, said the limited audience of 1,000 people 'did twice the work' and gave the cast an ovation that was 'electric'. The performance came after a year in which the pandemic devastated the performing arts, and Ball stressed the need for government support.
Ball said he raised the issue of Covid insurance for producers during a conversation with Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden at the opening night. 'It's all very well opening theatres, but if there's nothing to put into them, what's the point?' he said. He also criticised the lack of financial support for freelancers in the arts, noting that many were 'left high and dry' without furlough. The singer said the suggestion from Chancellor Rishi Sunak that performers should retrain for other sectors was 'how to make a bad situation worse'.
Despite the challenges, Ball has had a successful year. His Christmas album with Alfie Boe reached No 1, his solo album reached No 2, and he achieved his first No 1 single with Captain Sir Tom Moore and the NHS Voices of Care choir. He also presented his Radio 2 show and a new TV series, Wonderful Wales With Michael Ball. The singer reflected on his own mental health struggles, saying his 'breakdown made me a better performer – and a better person'.
In the Channel 5 series, Ball explores his Welsh heritage, visiting his grandmother's hometown of Mountain Ash. He described his grandmother, Agnes 'Lil', as a huge influence who encouraged his creativity. The series is part travelogue, part homecoming for Ball, who said he 'always felt a kinship' with Wales despite growing up in England. Hairspray runs at the London Coliseum, with Ball optimistic but cautious about the West End's recovery.
