Q and A

This question and answer session took place on 22 June 2006. If you have any specific questions that you'd like to ask of Michael for inclusion in the next Q and A session please email them to admin@mbfc.co.uk - thanks!

Now you've conquered dancing in Chitty is it something we'll see much more of you doing? (How about following Lesley Garrett into the Strictly Come Dancing scene????????)from Elizabeth Lamb

Not if I have anything to do with it! I don’t think it’s my natural… I love moving around the stage. I love getting into things. I’d love to be able to dance I really would. But if the show came up that required it of course I would do it – or have a stunt double.

I live in South Florida, but would travel anywhere in the US to see you. You are the best singer ever! Will you be coming to the US anytime soon? From Linda Sharf

Not to perform at the moment, I have no plans at the moment to come and perform but of course I want to and we’re looking at doing some concerts there next year.

Is it just a rumour, or is Andrew Lloyd Weber really working on a movie version of Aspects of Love? From Ella.

I have no idea about this. He seems to be putting most of his stuff on film. Whether I would be involved? I think even with the best lighting in the world playing 17 year old Alex may now be a bit of a push. But who knows? Uncle George might be the role for me (laughter). Of all of his shows I think it would make the best film.

Will you ever schedule a tour that would bring you to Seattle? All you would need do is sing a piece from Les Mis and hearts would melt everywhere! From Rosalee Mohney.

What a lovely thing to say. I’d love to go to Seattle. I’m a big fan of Frasier, you have the best coffee and apparently it rains almost as much as it does here in England, so I would feel very much at home and I now there is a great Seattle posse out there. So yeah I‘d love to come there.

You are an amazing performer all around. I am aspiring to be an actor as well. Do you have any advice for me and others pursuing this career? From Forrest

The only advice I can give anybody wanting to pursue a career in this business is - first of all develop a very thick skin, second work as hard as you can and do as much as you can in as many different fields as you can. And watch as much as you can, you learn so much from watching other people perform. That’s certainly what I did, and get as much experience as possible on stage, even amateur dramatics, putting on stuff with your friends, doing workshops, going to classes, whatever, and be prepared to face rejection because it happens to all of us whatever stage we are at in our careers, but when it works there is no better job in the world. It isn’t a job it’s a joy, so go for your dreams always, even if they turn into nightmares (laughter)

In some of your recordings, I detect a really sincere Country & Western feel-- and it's gorgeous. Would you ever consider doing a C&W album? From Ashley Hope.

Well I did an album called This Time It’s Personal which had a lot of country and western kind of songs on it, and on a number of other albums there have been little nudges towards it. I love that kind of music - I make no bones about it. I ‘m a big big fan of country and western, so well spotted, yes I do lean towards that in quite a number of the vocal performances I do and will continue to do so.

Michael I have seen you in concert and I think you have the most amazing voice. I have heard you sing some Elvis songs on your albums and was wondering if you have ever thought about singing American Trilogy as I think apart from the King you would be the only performer who could pull it off and do it justice. From Lynne Jennings

Many thanks Lynne. I’ve actually sung American Trilogy, not for years and years and it is the most phenomenal piece of music, so maybe you’ve put a good idea in my head, maybe I’ll revisit it at some point, it’s quite nerve wracking though when you try and sing a song that’s been done so definitely as American Trilogy has, but if enough people would like it and wouldn’t take the mickey out of me for doing it then maybe I’ll give it a go (laugh).

are you English or Welsh? It would be nice to think that an Englishman could have a voice like yours! From Reg.

Alright let’s set the record straight. I’m Wenglish. (laughter). My mum is Welsh – and if you go by – I don’t know what the laws are but in the Jewish religion you take on whatever nationality or religion that the mother is. I’ve always had a huge affinity for Wales. Technically I’m not, I’m English, I am very proud to be British. I don’t think I am going to differentiate between the two unless it comes to rugby and war. If we go to war or we fight an international on the rugby pitches I’m a Welshman. I am supporting the English football team – I don’t think there’s any point in supporting the Welsh at the moment, but I’m a big fan of watching the English football. But yeah I’m British but I have Welsh ancestry and I’m very proud of it, so I’m a Wenglishman.

What is your favourite role that you've played? Where does being Marius rank on the list? From Clare Haley.

Marius ranks really highly on the list because it was the first west end role that I did. It was such a well written part in such an extraordinary musical and to be the first person to get the opportunity to play it was a wonderful experience. I have to say for sheer joy nothing I think will beat Reginald Bunthorne in Patience. I have never had so much fun on the stage in my life, it was outrageous what I got away with and I’m so glad I did, it was hysterically funny. I’ve really been blessed.

The full version of this question and answer session appeared in On The Ball.