Latest News

You can follow the award ceremony via this website. The show is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm this Sunday (9th). Arrivals at the red carpet from 5:30 pm. Our fingers and toes are tightly crossed!!

First Summer Concert Confirmed posted: 02/03/08

It was confirmed that Michael will be appearing at the Hampton Court Festival on Saturday, 14 June 2008. Info can be found here. We will let you know when tickets go on sale. So stay tuned.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to this concert Michael will not be appearing in Hairspray that night. It is advised not to book Saturdays from June - August.

TV Show and Award Coverage posted: 26/02/08

Today (26th) Michael will appear on The Alan Titchmarsh Show which is broadcast at 2:30 pm on ITV 1.

Also around is all the photos and even a video from the Theatregoer's Choice Awards to enjoy. Here are some links you might want to check out:

What's On Stage Website - photos and video

Getty Images - photos

Wooller.com - photos

Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 posted: 22/02/08

Michael recorded an episode of Desert Island Discs, which will air on BBC radio 4 on Sunday 2 March 2008 at 11:15am till 12:00 noon.

You will be able to listen live to the show or its repeat the following Friday at 9:15 am. It is most likely the show will not be put on Listen Again! Visit their website here.

Michael wins Theatregoer's Award posted: 22/02/08

Whatsonstage announced today the winners of the Theatregoer's Choice Awards. We are delighted to report that Michael won in the category Best Actor in a Musical (WOOHOO!). Hairspray as such won seven awards (out of ten nominations). Here goes:

Leanne Jones - Best Actress in a musical
Michael Ball - Best Actor in a Musical
Tracie Bennett - Best Supporting Actress in a Musical
Ben James-Ellis - Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Hairspray - Best New Musical
Jack O'Brien - Best Director
Jerry Mitchell - Best Choreographer

CONGRATULATIONS to Michael and everyone at Hairspray! This is so well deserved!

Michael also got an Honorable Mention for his transformation as Edna Turnblad.

For full list of winners click here. For full list of Hairsdpray's other awards and nominations click here.

Michael inherits Parky's radio slot posted: 18/02/08

The rumours kept getting stronger and stronger and finally it has been announced. Michael's new challenge will be his own regular Sunday radio show on BBC 2. Read the press release from BBC 2 here. He follows in the footsteps of Michael Parkinson, who finished his career several years ago. Michael's first show will go on air on Sunday 6 April and he will be on from 11 am till 1pm. Be sure to make him a regular on you Sunday timetables!

For his international fans: we all will be able to listen to the show live via internet and it's highly likely the show will get it's own place on listen again.

Congratulations Michael :-)

Olivier Award Nominations posted: 07/02/08

It was just announced that Hairspray scooped up a record breaking 11 nominations for the Laurence Olivier Awards. As you can read here, Hairspray is "the most nominated single production in one year"! Michael is nominated for an award in the category Best Actor in a Musical. On a personal note we are delighted that Elinor Collett is nominated, too. Well deserved! CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE AT THE SHAFTESBURY!

The winners will be announced on Sunday 9 March. So everyone keep your fingers crossed.

We have added these nominations to our awards & nominations page.

And here are the nominees:

Best Actor in a Musical ~ Michael Ball
Best Actress in a Musical ~ Leanne Jones
Best Performance in a Supporting Role~ Tracie Bennett and Elinor Collett
Best New Musical ~ Hairspray
Best Director ~ Jack O'Brien
Best Set Design ~ David Rockwell
Best Theatre Choreographer ~ Jerry Mitchell
Best Lighting Design ~ Kenneth Posner
Best Costume Design ~ William Ivey Long
Best Sound Design ~ Steve C Kennedy

WOS Radio Interview posted: 05/02/08

Roger Foss has done a lovely interview with Michael. You can listen to the interview on WOS Radio.

Michael speaks lots about Hairspray and how he turned into Edna. The thing we are most interested in though: Yes, Michael hints that this mysterious project he mentioned at the end of last year will soon be announced. Within a month we can expect a press release that might tell us why Michael won't be doing any Monday night shows from May on. Just have a listen and enjoy.

Michael's Holiday Dates posted: 05/02/08

For quite a while now everyone was waiting for Michael to announce his holiday dates, so everyone can make plans and book Hairspray tickets for the duration of his stay. And here they are. Happy planning everyone!

Monday 28 April - Monday 5 May 2008 ( back on stage Tues 6 May 2008)
Monday 30 June - Monday 7 July 2008 (back on stage Tues 8 July 2008)
Monday 15 Sept. - Monday 22 Sept. 2008 ( back on stage Tues 23 Sept. 2008)

It was furthermore announced that from April 28th on, Michael will no longer perform in the Monday shows. So keep this in mind when booking.

Elaine Paige Show TODAY posted: 03/02/08

Michael will appear on the above show on BBC Radio 2 this Sunday (the 3rd). It is aired from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm local time. To listen to it, click on the above link.

More Awards for Hairspray posted: 29/01/08

Today the winners of the Critics' Circle Awards were announced:

Leanne Jones (Tracy Turnblad) won the The Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer and Hairspray was awarded the The Peter Hepple Award for Best Musical. Congratulations to everyone! Here you can read the full story.

We'd like to remind everyone that the Theatregoers' Choice Awards are still out there to be won. Voting will close on February 10th. As we have reported before, Hairspray (and Michael, of course) got a spectacular 10 nominations. Now it is up to us to help them win!

So please everyone, get voting and make your family and friends join in as well! Every vote counts! Here's the link.

Winners will be announced on 22nd of February.

Jonathan Ross Radio Today posted: 19/01/08

Today (Saturday 19th) Michael will be a guest on the Jonathan Ross show on BBC Radio 2, which is aired from 10:00 am - 01:00 pm local time. To listen live, click here.

Elaine Paige Show postponed posted: 04/01/08

It looks as though Michael will not actually appear on the above show on BBC Radio 2 this Sunday (the 6th) as previously announced. There is no confirmed date for his appearance as yet, but it looks like it might be the 3rd of February. Stay tuned.

Star Traders Tonight posted: 22/12/07

Albeit he begins his well-earned holiday today, you can still see Michael on TV tonight (Saturday, 22nd December). He will appear on ITV 1's Star Traders show, which is aired at 8:15 - 9:15 pm. Enjoy!

Michael's Last Night posted: 15/12/07

We now know that Michael's last night at Hairspray will be October 25th in 2008 (that's a Saturday). So get booking everyone! This matinee will certainly be one to remember!

It Takes Two posted: 10/12/07

It was just announced that Michael will be a guest on BBC 2's Strictly Come Daning - It Takes Two programme sometime this week. The show in on Monday to Friday at 6:30 pm.

UPDATE 12/12/07:
It was announced that Michael will be appearing on tonight's (Wednesday's) show. Seeing he was off sick on Monday, this appearance will depend on whether he is feeling well enough, of course. Fingers crossed!

News Galore posted: 09/12/07

That's the trouble when you are working full time and do a website about someone as busy as Michael: you can hardly keep up the pace! So here we go. Massiv

e news flash:

1. Award Nominations

Hairspray recieved Theatregoer's Choice Award nomination in the following catergories:

Best Actor in a Musical (Michael Ball)

Best Actress in a Musical (Leanne Jones)

Best Supporting Actor in a Musical (Ben James-Ellis and Mel Smith)

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical (Tracie Bennett)

Best New Musical

Best Director (Jack O'Brien)

Best Set Designer (David Rockwell)

Best Choreographer (Jerry Mitchell)

London Newcomer of the Year (Leanne Jones)

These awards are based on people's votes. This means, if you want Hairspray (and Michael!) to win you will have to vote HERE.

2. Royal Variety Performance on TV

Tonight (Sunday 9th) at 8:00 pm (-10:30 pm) ITV 1 shows the RVP for everyone to enjoy. The cast of Hairspray will perfrom You Can't Stop The Beat as the show's finale. So set those VCRs (or DVD recorders).

3. Radio Special

On Monday 31st December and Tuesday January 1st , Michael will be presenting a radio show on BBC Radio 2. It will be on air between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm local time. That's six hours of Michael to enjoy via this link. What a wonderful way to end and begin a year.

4. Classic FM Christmas CD

On this 2-disc album you can here Michael sing When A Child Is Born. Others artists on there include Aled Jones, Bryn Terfel, Andrea Bocelli and many more. To order this CD simply click here.

5. Hairspray Competition

We recieved the following email:

Hi,

This is to let you know that Stage and Screen Online has 2 tickets to see Michael Ball in Hairspray - which can be won in our new competition. Winners will also receive exclusive programmes signed by the stars of the show.

Just visit www.stageandscreenonline.com to enter. Good luck!

And don't forget that you can still hear Michael Ball talking about the role of Edna Turnblad, and many other shows in his career - just follow the links on the site.
Best wishes,

Tommy Pearson
Creator, Stage and Screen Online

Michael Extends Until October posted: 07/12/07

Much to our delight we can report that Michael will extend his run at Hairspray until October 2008! This was the news we have all been waiting for. So get booking everyone! We cannot wait for summer stage doors! Yipee!

Oh and of course another reason to celebrate:

Hairspray got 10 nominations for the Theatergoer's Choice Awards. Or so says the Daily Mail. Our fingers are tightly crossed!

Hairspray wins first Award posted: 27/11/07

As we have already told you on the homepage, Michael did not do his interview at the Simon Mayo show today, but instead attended the Evening Standard Awards at the Savoy Hotel.

We congratulate the cast and entire production team of Hairspray for winning the Ned Sherrin Award for Best Musical! This will be the the first of many, we are sure!

For photos of Michael, Leanne and Ben arriving at the Savoy, just visit Getty Images and search for Michael.

Media News posted: 26/11/07

Here are some more media appearances to keep up with. Enjoy those interviews!

Tuesday, 27th November:

Simon Mayo, BBC Radio 5, 1:00 - 4:00 pm (Listen Live and Listen Again available)

Wednesday, 28th November:

This Morning, ITV 1, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Michael to sing on "Voices of the Valley encore" posted: 19/11/07

Elaine Paige played "Rhythm of Life" taken from The Male Voice Choir's latest album "Voices Of The Valley Encore".

Quite to our surprise, guess who the lead singer was? Yes, none other than our Michael.

You can still listen to the show on BBC2 Listen Again Feature. Just click here and you can fast forward to 2:03, where the song starts. The file should be there until 25/11/2007.

To buy the album just click here!

Media News (TV and Radio) posted: 11/11/07

It is now confirmed that Michael will be a guest on Channel 4's Paul O'Grady Show next Friday, 16th November at 5 pm.

Furthermore we just recieved an email from our fave Australian radio presenter Mr Ian Maurice who let us know, that he has

"just completed another radio interview with Michael and thought you might be interested to know that it will go to air on Radio 4BC next Wednesday night at 8.30 p.m. That's 10.30 a.m. Wednesday (14th) UK time.

It is a chat for about 30 minutes. It can be heard on the following website: www.mytalk.com.au . You need to follow the 4BC links and sign in. It is a once only sign in and there is no data base. We are hoping to post it is a podcast after that time."

Thank you Ian, for letting us know! Ian's interviews are always a joy to listen too, so make sure you will not miss this one.

Hairspray at the Royal Variety Performance posted: 06/11/07

Hairspray will be part of this years Royal Variety Performance. It will take place at the Liverpool Empire on Monday, 3rd December 2007 in attendance of The Queen and HRH The Prince of Edinburgh. There are some pricy tickets left. For us others, it will be shown on TV the following week. For more information visit the official site.

New Hairspray Photos posted: 03/11/07

The Official Hairspray website does have some gorgeous new action photos, taken during the show. Lovely photos of the whole cast, not only the leads (not that we do mind new photos of the leads ;-)). Go to the main page and click on photos and enjoy!

Hairspray booking period extended posted: 02/11/07

It certainly does not come as a surprise, but the booking period has finally been extended up until the end of October 2008. This means you are able to book tickets for Michael's last night (well yet!). Michael keeps hinting that he could be interested in extending his run as well. So... his last night might be a bit later than expected. Especially as he recently said in an interview he does not have any plans at the moment apart from his Haispray run.

Press Night Reviews and more posted: 01/11/07

Press Night is through and the reviews are floating in. So far we have not seen a bad one, which does not come as a surprise.

Apart from the reviews you can find in the Press Ball section, there are some new newspaper articles up there as well.

Stage and Screen Online (for whom Michael did the recent interview with Ed Seckerson) have put up a review done by Ed Seckerson. Just have a look at his review.

Furthermore the official Hairspray website has been updated with fabulous clips from the show. Just have a look at their video section.

Whatsonstage has done a lovely video report about the Press Night. So something to watch there as well.

Latest News

For more visit our Archive