INTERVIEW DUTCH PROGRAMME ‘KOFFIETIJD’
MAY 1999

(Koffietijd is a Dutch morning show.  Michael was on together with the (at that time) two leading ladies of the musical 'Chicago', Pia Douwes and Simone Kleinsma.)

Hans, the male presenter: (in Dutch): When he took his seat at our table just now, I didn't have to say a thing. They all recognised him and started to cheer and clap spontaneously.  Now it's your turn; here is Michael Ball.

(loud clapping and cheering)

Michael:  Thank you! I've no idea what you said, but I;m sure it was nice.

Hans:  Well, don't trust me.

Michael:  No, I don't trust you (laughs)

Hans:  It has been different for you, Michael.  Everybody knows you now from your big starring parts in all the big musicals, but you started out in England in a talent contest on television ...

Michael:  Um..no, that's not true! (laughs)

Hans:  That;s NOT true?  That's the big story about you!

Michael:  No, no I started off in Rep Theatre, and um … any audition I guess is a talent contest!  But the actual start was, I went up for an audition for a show called ‘The Pirates of Penzanze’ where there were about 600 people, all went up for the audition.  And I ended up with a lead in that.  But I think you're mistaking me for someone else ...

Hans: Really? No!

Michael:  Yes, 'Opportunity Knocks', it was a guy called Mark Rattray.

Hans:  Never heard of him!

Michael:  No, exactly!  Well ... nevermind! (laughs)

Hans:  (Explains his little ‘misconception’ in Dutch)

Hans: (In Dutch)  There, he hasn't got a clue how I translated that! (laughter) But, eventually the big musicals came, and you've done them all.  Well, not all, but the big ones.

Michael: I've been very lucky.  I think I sort of came along at the time when that whole British musical explosion was happening with Les Miserables, and Phantom of the Opera and Aspects ...

Hans:  You were in the original production of Les Miserables.

Michael:  That's right, yeah.  And ... that sort of spawned a whole generation of the new musicals, now with Martin Guerre and Miss Saigon and so on.  So, yeah, I was basically very, very lucky.  Because, prior to that, for actors of my age and generation, early twenties, the parts weren't very meaty, they weren't very good acting parts.  They were all sort of 'anyone for tennis?', all very jolly.  With this they gave you an opportunity to be dramatic.  And um, I always saw myself as an actor, so ... yeah, very lucky.

Hans: (explains what Michael said in Dutch)

Hans:  Normally, people go to a musical and leave the theatre saying 'oh there was a wonderful guy in it'. When you're in it, they come to see the musical because YOU'RE in it.  How does that feel?  I know it's true - THIS is true! (laughs)

Michael:  (laughs)  Well that's kind of you.  Um ... it's the best feeling you can have, and what's nice is, it gives you the opportunity to pick and choose the kind of roles that you want to do.  I wish I could dance like these ladies and be in 'Chicago'!  That's such a brilliant show - they're gonna have a wonderful time doing that.

Hans:  You're going to see it tonight?

Michael:  I'm going tonight, yeah!

Hans: (translates in Dutch)

Mireille, the female presenter: (In Dutch)  And the nicest part is, Hans, that Pia (one of the ladies from 'Chicago') said to me this morning, that when she was very young, in London, she saw Michael and thought 'I want to do what he does'!

Pia: (to Michael)  Yeah, I saw you perform in Les Mis and Aspects of Love, and I studied in England for three years.

Michael:  Oh really? Whereabouts?

Pia: Woking School of Ballet

Michael:  Oh fantastic!

Pia:  Yeah, and I saw you and I was like 'aaaaaah'!  And now he's here!

Michael: (laughs) And I'll be seeing you tonight!

Pia:  Oh Gosh, yeah!

Michael:  Excellent!  We'll compare notes *wink wink*, I'd be happy to! (laughs)

Hans:  You're here for another reason than this show only, you have a concert.  Your first ever I think, In Holland.

Michael:  Yeah, that's right!  I've been coming here for a few years now, talked to you and done a few bits and pieces, I thought it was time.  I've just finished a big UK tour and the production's there, so I thought we're gonna come to the Carré theatre on Friday.

Hans:  Believe me, you haven't made it in the business, if you haven't played the Carré Theatre.

Michael:  Well I went there yesterday for the first time.  It's beautiful, what a beautiful theatre!  It really is.

Hans:  Friday night, right?

Michael:  Yeah, yeah and I can't wait for that.  It'll be nice.

Hans:  Would you already now sing us one of the songs you're going to sing there?  From the new album?

Michael:  Sure, it'll be a pleasure. (To Pia and Simone)  I'll see you tonight.

Hans: (translates in Dutch and announces ‘Wind beneath my wings’)

Mireille: (after the song)  Well, not only does he have a beautiful voice, we also think he's a real hunk, don't we girls?

Pia and Simone in unison: You can say that again!