"I Want To Celebrate The Magic Of Theatre"

Bringing his own experience into his writing, Michael Ball is branching out with his new book set in the world of theatre

-  SUSAN WATSON

The smell of the greasepaint, the roar of the crowd... the magic of the theatre is something that has captivated Michael Ball for as long as he can remember.

"I love the endless possibilities of what can happen in theatres. You can be taken to so many different worlds and transported out of your own life and into a whole new one."

Michael's love of the theatre began when he was very young and it was his close family who encouraged him on his path to stardom.

"My grandmother was always very supportive when I was younger. She gave me the confidence to get up and perform when I was growing up, but also taught me when to stop!

"Watching and listening to the great performers and films, going to the theatre, I just thought, 'Wouldn't it be amazing to be part of that world?' 

"I remember going to see Jesus Christ Superstar with my dad when I was 12 and truly understanding the power of musical theatre.

This was a rock musical telling a story we all know, but so differently, and it was just captivating." Indeed, Michael, who has been a star of musical theatre for over three decades, found inspiration in the theatre for one of his latest projects - his debut novel, The Empire, which was published earlier this month.

Set in the 1920s, The Empire is the first in a planned series of books and follows the lives of those who work within the magical Empire Theatre and the family who own it. Michael loved the chance to let his imagination run wild.