Michael Ball Reported in Talks for West End BARNUM; Ashford as Director / Choreographer

The UK's Daily Mail Newspaper is reporting that Michael Ball is in very early talks to star in the upcoming West End Revival of Barnum. Rob Ashford is said to be directing and choreographing the show as well. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, the show is slated for 2010.

Previous reports had John Barrowman in talks for the role, which he's said to have turned down.

Currently starring in the West End production of Hairspray, Michael Ball has appeared on Broadway in Aspects of Love and, most recently, as Count Fosco in The Woman in White (he was also seen in both shows in London). Ball originated the role of Marius in London's Les Miserables, and his other UK credits include The Phantom of the Opera, Passion, Sunset Boulevard and Chitty Chitty Bang.

Barnum, with a book by Mark Bramble, lyrics by Michael Stewart and music by Cy Coleman, debuted at Broadway's St. James Theatre on April 30, 1980. Jim Dale took home the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical as the iconic and larger-than-life American showman. Michael Crawford later staged the role at the London Palladium in 1981.