Theatre
Call To Stage | Michael Ball on Les Miz, Sweeney Todd, Performing For Royalty & Battling Nerves
Call To Stage is the podcast from Amber Davies, where musical theatre takes centre stage.
Amber Davies
Published 06 May 2026
Call To Stage with Amber Davies / W!ZARD Studios

This is Call To Stage, the podcast from Amber Davies, where musical theatre takes centre stage. From unforgettable backstage stories to exclusive news and insights, each week musical theatre and Dancing On Ice star Amber is joined by stars of the stage (and sometimes just fans of it!) to chat, laugh… and maybe even sing.

We're joined by a true legend of the British stage on this episode of Call To Stage - the endlessly charming, irrepressible, genre-defining Michael Ball.

With over four decades in the industry, two Olivier Awards for Best Actor in a Musical, two BRIT Awards and GRAMMY nomination - Michael is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in the industry. Having made his West End debut originating the role of Marius in Les Mise´rables (a show he has returned to multiple times in his career), he has gone on to define such iconic roles as Edna Turnblad in the West End production of Hairspray, Sweeney Todd in the revival of Sweeney Todd and Alex in Aspects of Love (which led to him charting in the Top 5 UK Singles Charts).

Michael has also had renowned starring roles in The Phantom of the Opera and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, released numerous albums and has sold out every venue from the Royal Albert Hall to Radio City in New York.

Michael Ball's new album Glow is out on May 22nd. You can order it here: https://michaelball.tmstor.es/

On this episode of Call To Stage, Amber and Michael talk about the advice that has underpinned his four decade career, his experiences performing in front of royalty, why he keeps returning to Les Mise´rables and how he asked Imelda Staunton to star in Sweeney Todd alongside him...

There are also stories from Hairspray and Aspects of Love as well as a masterclass in nerves, superstition and what it means to savour the rare perfect moments.

Follow Call To Stage
Instagram: @calltostagepod
TikTok: @calltostagepod
YouTube: @calltostage

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