23 replies to this topic

[Daniel]

I would appreciate some feedback on this. I have never previously written to any "stars" but did so for the 1st time 3 weeks ago when I wrote to Michael Ball. I had heard great reports of his performance as Bunthorne in Patience in New York & was keen to know whether there was any prospect of his repeating this role in London sometime after his stint in Hairspray was finished. I wrote to him c/o the Stage Door at the Shaftesbury. I started by congratulating him on Hairspray & then raised my query. I thought it prudent to enclose a stamped addressed envelope. I have not received a response. I have no idea of the volume of correspondence people in his position receive. It may be that there is so much that it is not possible to reply to all of them. Nevertheless, mine was not what you would call a "fan" letter but was raising a specific query. I feel a little miffed at the lack of response. Should I be?

[JamesLT]

I don't have much experience of writing to other people, 3 weeks isn't that long really and with our postal system it may not even have got there   I have heard of people receiving written replies from Michael although due to the sheer volume of mail he must get. I'd imagine that is the exception rather than the rule. He has traditionally been very good at fufilling requests for signed photo's and signing cards for birthdays/get well etc but again the volume of mail and time constraints can mean these can take ages to reappear. I've sent in several things over the years myself and have had them all returned except one, which never saw the light of day again. I don't know if it ever got there, if it was seen and sent out and never made it back lol!! I don't feel miffed it never came back it was just one of those things. I think you letter would be treated as a fan letter. The SAE was a good move but unfortunately I don't think it would guarantee a response. Just a case of wait and see what happens.

[Charly]

I have written a LOT of mail over the past year and some people can be really quick e.g. Kerry Ellis , Helen Dallimore & Idina Menzel took under a week to respond and then i wrote to James Loye at LOTR and he took a little over 1 and a half months to reply so im sure you will get a response, you just need to remember how busy Michael probably is and how much mail he probably gets Plus with the xmas postal rush, it could take a little longer than usual but im sure you will get something

[TaraLovesTheatre]

I think you're being a bit unfair.   You may feel that you didn't ask for that much, but now multiply it by the probably dozens of letters he gets per week - and on top of being in his play, he still has his normal life to get on with.  I'm sure he'll answer but I'd certainly give him longer than three weeks before I started complaining.

[tremas]

In my (limited) experience it doesn't necessarily follow that the bigger the star, the slower the response.  I was surprised to receive lengthy letters from Alan Bennett, Victoria Wood and Julie Walters within days of the opening nights of 'The History Boys' and 'Acorn Antiques - The Musical'.  However I'm still waiting for replies from Ian Conningham (following his run in 'Take Flight') and a chap (who's name escapes me) that was in 'Carmen Jones' and 'Porgy & Bess' and is now in 'Hairspray'.

There appears to be no rhyme nor reason!

[armadillo]

Why would you write to someone whose name you don't remember? Isn't this a waste of both his time and yours?

[tremas]

Why would you write to someone whose name you don't remember? Isn't this a waste of both his time and yours?

Yes, it's probably about as much a waste of time as you writing that comment.

[Daniel]

Yes, it's probably about as much a waste of time as you writing that comment.

lol

Just to update, I still have'nt received any response from Michael Ball.