Michael Ball (singer) solo concert at the classical music festival. Ball appeared in the Royal Variety Performance at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool on 3 December 2007 singing "You Can't Stop the Beat" with the rest of the cast from "Hairspray", the musical he was appearing in at the time. He continued in the role of Edna Turnblad in the musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre until 29 April 2009. On 2 March 2008, Ball appeared as the guest on the BBC Radio 4 show "Desert Island Discs", during which he talked about his early life and his career, including his struggle with stage
Billy (musical) it 'the brightest British musical for years…it's going to hoist brilliant Michael Crawford into the ranks of the superstars.' " The Original Cast recording was released by CBS (70133) on May 1, 1974. Billy (musical) Billy is a musical based on the novel and play "Billy Liar" by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall. The book was written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, the music is by John Barry, and the lyrics are by Don Black. "Billy" opened at the Palace Theatre in Manchester before moving to the West End at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 1 May