Tim Hughes talks to Michael Ball about his excitement at sharing his new album

Michael Ball is everyone’s favourite West End star.

And the reason? He knows what his fans like – and they, in turn, like him.

“I sort of understand what an audience wants when they come to a concert,” he tells me. “They want stuff that is new and old. They want it all, and to come out feeling better than when they went in. People want to be entertained and to hear the songs they expect to hear – as well as something new that’s a surprise.”

With 25 years in showbiz, starring roles in the biggest London and Broadway shows, two Olivier awards and 19 albums, many of them multi-platinum sellers, he ought to know what he’s talking about – which is good news for the fans packing out venues for his latest tour, which starts on Wednesday, in Oxford.

The night will see him showcasing his latest album If Everyone Was Listening, a collection of his favourite tunes dating back over 40 years.

Named after the eponymous Supertramp song, and including classics all re-recorded by Michael, by the Everly Brothers, Bob Seger and John Martyn, and newer songs by the likes of Alison Krauss, Lady Antebellum and Sarah McLachlan.

He admits he can’t wait to give the songs an airing, but not at the expense of his crowd-pleasing favourites.

“I get such a buzz playing new songs,” he says. “But there’s nothing worse than going to a gig and having people say they are only doing the new stuff. That’s cheating an audience. I like to create a show that weaves a way through my musicals and other albums I’ve done.”

And that includes the biggest of all – Love Changes Everything. “I’ve sung it in every concert I’ve ever done. I’m never bored of it, because I see the reaction from the audience and know what it means to people – and what it means in my life. It’s the same for the songs from Les Mis; I know they mean a lot to people.”

It was his role as Marius in that show, 25 years ago, that Michael made his West End debut, and his name.

He has gone on to star in London productions of The Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and in The Woman in White and Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience on Broadway.

However, if there’s one role of which he is particularly proud, it is his 2008 Olivier Award-winning, box office-breaking performance as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray.

He has since gone into producing, presenting his own TV and radio shows and landing his second Olivier Award for his lead role in Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

“Sweeney Todd was my baby,” he says fondly. “There was a lot of cynicism and scepticism about me doing it, having just done Edna, but I brought them into line!

“I’ve never worked harder in my life, and to win an Olivier was a real moment that will always stay with me.”

And the best person he’s worked with?

He’s far too diplomatic to say, but does return to one name again and again: his Sweeney Todd co-star Imelda Staunton. “She’s an extraordinary actress. To work with someone so prepared and focused makes you work at the top of your game – and I love that.”

One of the funniest performances though, was his off-key group rendition of Love Changes Everything with Jack and Michael Whitehall and David Walliams on Jack’s chat show.

“It was hilarious,” he laughs. “Jack took it really seriously and fancies himself as a singer. Michael is a very funny man, while David is a proper fan. He came to see the show when he was 17 so really enjoyed doing that.

“It was a good experience.”

And the worse? Divas. “People who fail to show respect don’t really work with me,” he says. “But people are like that for a reason, and that’s usually down to a lack of security... or just being a nasty piece of work.

“I’ve been really lucky, though, and never experienced that. I’m really easy to get on with and want people to be their best. I’m not an up-stager!

“What happened to me was very quick,” he concludes. “I got into Les Mis a year after drama school. You never get used to it – I’m still star-struck!”

CHECK IT OUT
Michael Ball plays the New Theatre Oxford on Wednesday. 
Tickets £44.90 plus fee from atgtickets.com