Michael Ball returning to West End in 2014?

[Princeton Returns]

whilst i didnt see it myself apparantly he was on Daybreak the other day and said he had just returned from the states where he was in talks for a return to west end next year

[Phantom of London]

Is there a clue between returning from the states and returning to the stage in 2014?

Hairspray which Michael saw in New York and was so inspired to bring Edna to the West End which he was a revelation in, I cannot think of any roles that Michael would want to bring to the UK at the moment, couldn't imagine Michael as Spiderman.

[06s091]

He didn't say which show it would be but it's at the end of THIS year. And his recent trip to New York DID have something to do with it.

Rumours of a return to Hairspray for a limited run are going around as Hairspray is rumoured to return to the West End after the current UK tour. Other rumours include Phantom, Matilda and From Here to Eternity.

It was also mentioned in an interview in the Daily Mail a few weeks ago that he will be opening in a Jerry Herman musical at Chichester in 2014. I'm guessing that one will be Mack & Mabel.

[MusicalBoy]

I really couldn't see him as Mack...can't think of many Jerry Herman shows that would work for him actually, except maybe La Cage but that's probably happened too recently.

[FrontRowDress]

So it's Dolly Levi or Aunt Mame then?

[AnythingGoes23]

Michael isn't returning with Hairspray. The show, like the last and first tour, has been incredibly successful and if when the show ends, contracts can be done and a theatre found for a season, it will swing in. Let time it didn't quite work out and it widely considered the show closed far too early in the West End.

Michael was in American to meet Jerry Herman apparently about a planned for revival of Mack and Mabel next year. He would actually be its good as Zsa Zsa, but alas it's not that. I have to say I was hoping he'd be dragging up to be Dolly or Mame !!

[Jonwo]

Mack and Mabel would do well as a limited season like Sweeney Todd but I wonder if it'll involve a company like Chichester as as West End production even with Ball would be a hard sell.

I hope Hairspray does return for a run if a theatre becomes available, the fact they're not doing Wimbledon might helo its chances.

[MusicalBoy]

Shame, we've had a really great production of Mack and Mabel recently with a really great Mack and a perhaps definitive Mabel.

[Princeton Returns]

not sure on him as mack, but its a better fit than sweeney

mabel, is she meant to be younger than mack? if so emma williams? ball has a fondness for her ever since chitty

[Phantom of London]

Michael Ball returning as EDNA in the excellent HAIRSPRAY........... Yes Please.

Emma Williams is an excellent actress, but has she done anything since the excellent Love Story? If not shows just how hard it is to be an actress.

[bob8rich]

Emma has been busy in other ways since Love Story - she got married and completed her Open University degree! She would be wonderful as Mabel (she'd be wonderful in just about anything). But anyone would be hard pressed to surpass Laura Pitt-Pulford's Mabel at the Southwark Playhouse - that was an astonishing performance.

[06s091]

The interview in the Daily Mail mentioned that Michael did have a specific actress in sight to co star in the unnamed Jerry Herman musical... It said it was a British actress but Michael wouldn't name her yet as it wasn't certain yet as her Hollywood career might take off. That suggests either Laura Michelle Kelly or Samantha Barks to me...
I can't see Samantha Barks as Mabel and Michael has worked with Laura before so I think it might be her.

Many people didn't think he could do Sweeney and even I wasn't sure either. But he was amazing in that and I'll be really surprised if he doesn't get the Olivier Award in April.

[AnythingGoes23]

Mack and Mable is more well known than is given credit for, mainly thanks to Torvil and Dean!

Its right up Michael Balls audience demographic so I think could easily do a good 6 month West end run.

Caroline OConnor I would say is the definitive Mabel. LMK or Kelli OHara would be cracking in the role. Mabel is a good decade older than Mabel if not more.

[246015]

I know next to nothing about "Mack and Mabel" with the exception of a couple of songs, nor much about Jerry Herman's work generally (apart from "Hello, Dolly!" which I found quite dull actually, but the fact that it was a pretty bad amateur production could have had something to do with that. I have yet to see the Barbara Streisand film). However, I would see Michael in anything and welcome his return to the stage, though he has said before in interviews that it would hopefully be the Autumn of this year, not 2014, but who knows what other circumstances there are. Incidentally, and perhaps I am reading too much into this and it is nothing more than a coincidence, he has got "I Won't Send Roses" on his new album.

[OneDayMore1979]

Its about time Mack And Mabel had a great West End run. The fringe version last year was nothing short than breathtaking one of the must see musicals of 2013. Norman Bowman and Laura were stunning

[06s091]

Latest news is that apparently the show he'll be doing at the end of this year will first have a tryout run in Manchester...

[06s091]

Michael Ball was just interviewed on LBC radio about his album and upcoming tour - but he also talked a bit about the new show... He's still not saying which show it is though...

A few details he let slip:

- he'll know within the next couple of weeks if the show will go ahead
- rehearsals could start as soon as August, with an out of town tryout period in September and West End opening in October
- it's an old show
- it'll have a big company
- and he will be dancing in it