These were the days of glamour ,it is a story of love and hope against all the odds and most of all Family .

Michael Ball turns his hand to writing - Michael Ball Michael Ball turns his hand to writing - Michael Ball

I have liked watching and listening to Michael Ba Full of historical drama, tension, twists, glamour and romance, this makes for a wonderful story to curl up with. With nothing better to do, Jack tries for a job as a doorman at the theatre, knowing little about the theatre, and nothing about the power struggles going on in local business behind the scenes.

While this is a story about grief and getting on with your life it is also about accepting mistakes of your past. I have met the actor and spoken to him on several occasions, when he was just a West End leading man (he took over as the second Raoul in Phantom).

Michael Ball OBE - Facebook Michael Ball OBE - Facebook

For its audience, for its actors and singers, for the stagehands, the front-of-house staff, for its backers and its debtors – and above all for its owners – it truly is a palace of dreams. The initial list of characters is slightly daunting to the reader but once we are introduced to Jack, things gradually slot into place. As a massive fan, I was rather worried that I wouldn’t like the book, or that it was poorly written but I absolutely loved it.If you are looking for a magnificent and captivating read set in the 1922, full of drama, glitz and glamour, I highly recommend you to give The Empire by Michael Ball a try. On that front, Lady L has struck lucky, since although the theatre manager turns out to be somewhat lacking in the necessary skills, although he does have surprising financial skills, his assistant plucky Grace Hawkins not only takes over the management of the theatre but proves herself to be a literary genius. I don’t know if this is what’s happening, but I could hear Michael Ball’s voice so clearly in this – I wonder if he’s doing the audiobook? With whispers of a scandalous cover-up and rivalries that threaten the future of The Empire, tensions rise, along with the curtain. He’s obviously listened to the first rule of novel writing by writing what he knows and bringing us The Empire, an historical novel set in the golden age of music hall and musical theatre.

Michael Ball to tour the UK in 2024 with On With The Show Michael Ball to tour the UK in 2024 with On With The Show

The millions of fans worldwide who treasure his trademark warmth and positivity will relish the chance to read a novel set in the world of musical theatre he owns. Back home in the building, problems abound as a dastardly rival attempts to drive her operation out of business by monopolising and threatening every agent and star in the region—not the most original plot line but still engrossing. But amid the glitz and glamour, he soon learns that the true magic of the theatre lies in its cast of characters – both on stage and behind the scenes. It was easy to imagine the theatre with the glitz and glamour from front of house and the struggles going on behind the scenes.It was easy to find yourself engrossed into the story, the love and passion for all thing theatre really shines through the pages. On the theatrical front, Lady Lillian Lassiter, a relatively young widow and former showgirl, has inherited the titular theatre but prefers to spend her time enjoying the glitz of Broadway with a female friend. I especially warmed to Grace and lady Lilian and of course there has to be a baddie too, but the real magic lies in the theatre itself. These novels are going to be a love letter to all the theatres and performers I’ve worked in and with around the world. The star of the show is The Empire itself, but how I missed the characters (especially Billy) when I finished.