Went to see this last night, and I have to say apart from dodgy sound balance, it was a really good night:). The problem was when the orchestra was in full swing, we couldn't hear Michael very well:(
Judging by some of Michael Ball's comments I feel there may have been a few traditionalists who were unhappy with there being a "Musical Theatre Prom" all I can say to them in Bah Humbug. I hope it becomes an annual event with different hosts, and perhaps a few more guests, we were disappointed Laura Michelle Kelly only sang a duet, it would have been nice for her to have had a solo.
All in all, £25 well spent.

I was there too. I also thought the orchestra were a little loud in places but it doesn't seem so bad on the BBC4 broadcast so maybe it was the sound in the venue.

I Loved Michael and Laura Michelle singing "The Prayer
and
Michael and Alfie singing "Au fond temple saint" from The Pearl Fishers, how scary would that have been, first time on live tv.

And the number from "Patience" wonderful. It was a great evening all round and I to hope for future musical theatre events at the Proms.

Having listened to it, I thought it a wonderful concert. Great step for musical theatre being made part of the Proms. Maybe it could continue. Especially if this particular event sold out first and got such a warm welcome. Brilliant performance by Michael Ball

I came across it on BBC 4 last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. There was certainly no problem with the sound on tv. He was interviewed between the first and second part and when asked about the criticism he said it didn't bother him and did his impression of Catherine Tate's Lauren. They also spoke to Laura Michelle Kelly, Alfie Boe and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

I saw and enjoyed it last night. Though i have to say i felt like it got off to a good start but sort of dwindled as it went on, as he started with two songs im very fond of but they seemed to get more boring as he went on. I was a little disappointed by the Laura Michelle Kelly duet but was pleasantly surprised at Alfie Boe who id never heard before.

What a fab evening. Michael Ball sang wonderfully and did us all proud. Let us hope the Proms continue to include musical theatre in future seasons. Good mixture of songs I thought, lots of diversity.

Speaking as a 'traditionalist' I think the idea of a music theatre Prom is fine. The problem is the concept of 'An Evening With X'. If you want to do music theatre, do it seriously and put on a show. The Proms do opera, why not a musical show? But this was a MichaelBallFest for his fans, and listening to him struggling with Au fond du temple saint to show he could do opera was appalling to the the nth degree. He's a music theatre performer, not an operatic baritone. (Alfie Boe, OTOH, is not bad).

Let's have a proper music theatre prom - one that celebrates music theatre rather than idolising an individual. That's naff.

I don't believe that the only way musical theatre can be represented at the proms is in the form of a full show which has been done previously, or that this one was simply idolising an individual.This was an evening with a musical theatre performer, A different title might have worked better but the premiss of the show was fine imo.

I do not agree about Au fond du temple saint Michael is not an operatic baritone but I don't feel his first attempt was apalling. Oringinally Alfie was supposed to be doing a musical theatre number but that didn't happen. If it had it would have balanced things out.

Listening to the noise coming from the audience, they appeared besotted. Very intrusive.

I suppose it depends how many operatic versions of the duet you've heard. Michael Ball's voice doesn't blend with an operatic tenor. It wasn't a duet: it was a tenor solo with a dull harmonisation. Why didn't he invite an operatic baritone to sing it? - because the concert was about Michael Ball.

I don't have a problem with that. None at all. It just wasn't a Prom.

I'm a Michael Ball fan and a sometimes promenader, and I was quite disappointed with his performance on Monday. I've certainly heard him in better voice, and when he is so he's unbeatable in his genre. However, an opera singer he ain't and I found the duet with Alfie B quite pathetic especially as he seemed less than comfortable with it. Perhaps he realised too late that performing in an operetta or a musical with an opera company is a large step from singing opera.

I also became more than p-ed off with his constant carping at those who thought the Proms wasn't the place for an evening with Michael Ball - anyone with any commonsense would have ignored all the negative comments in order to concentrate on the matter in hand. Methinks the gentleman protested much too much leaving one to believe that he, himself, had misgivings about the project.

He also seemed to alternate between being over-awed by the event and seeming much too complacent. It was like watching Jekyll and Hyde at the music hall.

What a tired, dreary repertoire he belted out. I suppose he thought that if most promenaders were boycotting the night then he just as well might take the path of least resistance and give his fans another same old Michael Ball Show. Perhaps he forgot that some others would watch the BBC4 programme if only out of interest. I've watched the video of it and it's no better than the live concert apart from the sound.

Normally he does what he does very well and, apart from a few bum notes, it wasn't a bad performance. In fact if any current musical theatre singers performed as he did then we'd think that they'd done well. But, if I was a school teacher I'd have been writing "Could do and has done better" on Mr Ball's report. I think it was possibly a mistake to do a show in the Welsh hills right before such an important occasion, I don't think he realises that sometimes it's good to rest a voice before a big performance. I guess that's his lack of formal training showing through, or perhaps he'd had a few too many drinks over the weekend - there was certainly something amiss. Or maybe nerves kicked in too much.

When I first heard that he was doing the Proms I thought that he'd have the opportunity to work with a different MD, but apparently not. It may have been a better night if someone else had taken charge musically. I'm beginning to think that he and Callum (surname?) are joined at the hip.

But, I guess, he filled the Proms coffers and the worry now is that they'll go for another "stunt" night next season which could be worse and not better than a Michael Ball Show. I suppose I got what it said on the packet - I guess I should have read the list of contents before buying it. Most of his fans seemed to think he did the business excellently well - perhaps they watched a different performance.

Or perhaps he didn't forget and the concert content was largely for those others who tuned in to watch out of interest. I have been reading the threads on the various message boards about the content of this Prom. Some folks are saying it was the same old songs he always sings, while at the same time complaining of a missed opportunity to make an impression with such a prominent tv, radio and live audience. That prominent TV and radio audience were probably not regular Michael Ball concert attendees - most of those were in the Royal Albert Hall, so that prominent TV and radio audience would probably not have heard the concert set list before.

Well said!! Some people will always find fault whatever he sings.

"Let's have a proper music theatre prom - one that celebrates music theatre rather than idolising an individual. That's naff."

A valid point:).
I feel, this was the first one and was played very safe, probably I imagine to gauge reactions etc. Hopefully next year it will be more adventuous, with a bit more variety - perhaps on a specific theme or the works of one composer etc. Whatever form it takes, I hope it continues.

BTW. I jsut watched a tape of it, and the sound was so much better, honestly when he sang This is the Moment, I could hardly hear a thing.

Well I wouldn't class myself as a Michael Ball fan. I've never seen him in concert and Hairspray will be the first time I get to see him in a musical. I didn't even know this was being broadcast. I was channel hopping, saw BBC Proms On Four and nearly changed channel until I saw Michael Ball and discovered he was doing a full show. I had no problems with the songs he sang. I didn't like them all but it was an enjoyable show overall. the two standing ovations seemed to indicate that the audience in attendance enjoyed the show as well.

I thought he was perfectly right to have a go at those who had criticised his taking part in the Prom. Why take it lying down? I've always thought the Proms were rather snobby and these snobs can do with being taken down a peg or two.

I'm sure most of you will have already seen it but take a look at http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbradio3/F7497567...p=0&show=20.

If they want to do a "musical" prom they could have done it an an operatic style - e.g. like the way Sarah Brightman sings Memory from Cats (or others) in Italian or some of Sondheim's work was vfery operatic. WSS symphomnic dances was performed last week as well and no-one complained about that. I think it is more of an issue having Michael Ball rather than musical theatre - why is he so special to have an entire evening when there must be loads of classical musicians/ singers who haven't?

Because he was asked ! This wasn't a classical event, that is kind of the point.

I tend to agree with Widow Twanky this was the first time a Musical theatre performer had been offered their own full Prom. Love him or hate him Michael Ball is one the best known musical theatre performers. He has a name beyond the theatre which will have potentialy brought a different audience group to the proms. I imagine he was advised as to the form they wanted to show to take. Most of the songs are linked to his career, which is safe but wise. They wouldn't have wanted anything to demanding for the audience for the first one. The audience was involved and enjoying the night. Michael sang like a dream and sounded amazing (except for the dodgy sound in the RAH). It has taken 112 years for this to happen, it's a great honour for Michael Ball which seems to have been lost in all the arguing.

Going back to Kgc's point about there being loads of performers who haven't had this chance. This prom was sold out, so perhaps that will allow a subsidy to a less subscribed event next year. Or has already done so this year.

I think you have made a very valid point. It was a first. It sold out. It will now make room for either more musical theatre performers or another musical theatre prom. It will also help less attended events. Quite a break through from where I am sitting. I think Michael and those performing with him should be quite proud of what they have accomplished.

I'm not into orchestral pieces or opera, so I wouldn't normally watch or listen to a Prom -
but because I'd thought (months ago) it was billed as a Musical Theatre Prom, I watched or at least listened to this
(except the very end, 'cos over-ran & clashed with something else we wanted).

However, I'd not realised (until it was on) that it was specifically billed as 'An Evening with Michael Ball'.

A would have thought a wider range of leading performers (more like Bryn's Faenol Festival the previous evening)
might have encouraged more Proms listeners to take a greater interest in musical theatre.

And if the aim was to encourage more Proms listeners to take a greater interest in musical theatre,
I think (at least for the FIRST musical theatre Prom) it would have been wiser to stick to 'easy listening',
rather than adding rockier songs -
especially the rocky Queen song, following immediately after the moving 'Empty Chairs at Empty Tables'.

The changes of tempo marred what I'd hoped would be a relaxing evening -
and I imagine it would have come as an even greater shock to orchestral & opera afficionados.


All credit to Alfie Boe though - he sang very well, & hubby & I both enjoyed listening to him -
I wish Alfie, not MB, had sung his Kismet songs.

For those who listened on the radio or those who watched on television. There is something you missed. At the end of the duet, Alfie got down on his knee and bowed to Michael. To show I believe what Michael had accomplished. That I think should be noted. Alfie appreciated the pains Mr. Ball had gone through to sing the duet. By the way I did like it very much

"Alfie got down on his knee and bowed to Michael To show I believe what Michael had accomplished. That I think should be noted. Alfie appreciated the pains Mr. Ball had gone through to sing the duet."

Maybe that was just an A-for-effort and bl**dy nerve rather than for operatic achievement.

So what's wrong with that?

It was not strictly the first musical theatre prom, there have been whole shows done before 'On the town' and 'Oklahoma' ?? This was the first time one musical theatre performer had had a whole prom. In future years. I can see the Faenol format working well (MB's been doing the same sort of format himself in open air concerts for several years now). I would have prefered Michael to have had another musical theatre performer rather than Alfie as a guest.

The tempo changes didn't bother me to much. I might have jigged one or two songs around. Empty chairs at Empty tables was before the Queen number. If 'The Prayer' and followed Empty Chairs it would have left the three more lively songs together at the end.



A for effort and bl**dy nerve definately

I wonder what happened to their showbiz number Michael had said would be happening.

Was it definite? I thought I had heard that Alfie might try something from musical theatre.

Only in as much as when interviewed on 'In tune' re Kismet Michael said Alfie would be his guest and that Alfie was going to teach him some opera and he was going to try and get him to do something from showbiz

LMK seemed to forget a line in the Prayer and for what she did was hardly worth disappointing the many people sat in Drury Lane missing her great performance of Galadriel!

LotR doesn't have a Sunday performance!

But this was Monday.

Quite right - sorry! Completely getting mixed up with Faenol!

if events like the proms and other classical music events are to survive, people have to accempt that this is the way that is going. Nicholas Kenynon said that he is trying to bring in a new and you nger audience to the proms, and this is one of the ways in which he did it this season. Although this being his last season it will be interesting what the season is like next year

It could have brought in a new audience, but I think the majority were Michael Ball fans. Will most of them bother going again or watching on TV if MB isn't performing? I've also seen many more younger people (by audience percentage)at other proms I've attended.

No way of knowing that, bit presumptious to think that no one would though. I haven't attended another one this year but I did listen to the Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev prom the following evening.

good point, i suppose onloy time will tell really, but it is being noticed that some proms audience numbers are down alot, there a thread about that on this site somewhere, in a few years time it will be interesting to see what is happening

The only prom which I managed to get to this year was the superb "Gotterdammerung" under Runnicles with Brewer, Tomlinson et al. Even that was not totally full.

Sebastian

I agree, JR1, especially with that last paragraph. Sometimes I really wish he'd take the road less traveled when it comes to concert-like performances.

I disagree myself, the concert was imo well put together and considered those watching at home. Most of the music used was accessible, familiar and appropriate to Michael Ball. Added pieces like the opera and operetta numbers indicated that this festival is usually a classical festival - I particularly enjoyed the G and S myself - Watching the tv coverage I thought the demographic was quite varied. I had expected a concert of material which I knew from previous Proms would have been safe and acceptable to regular prom-goers but the program was refreshingly a mixture of both traditional and more modern material. People I spoke to around me at the event (who had not seen Michael Ball before) were very impressed by the evening.




This article suggests that attendences are actually up. The best attended concerts are obviously supporting the less attended ones, which is good because it means these pieces might not be heard otherwise. It will be interesting to see how the change in leadership effects future seasons.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6984989.stm

I attended the concert of the Simon Bolivar Orchestra of Venezuela/Dudamel. Astounding. This Prom was sold out.
The only other was was Boston SO/Levine (Berlioz - Damnation of Faust). Excellent, but I still get goose bumps when I hear the Venezuelans. Look on YouTube under conductor's name.

Actually I 'saw' that Shostakovich Prom on TV (well, it was on during dinner - Hubby's choice of viewing & listening).

Shostakovich is absolutely NOT my scene musically - I don't appreciate discordant sounds - I like Easy Listening!

However, at the end of the evening,
when the musicians changed into their national colours, & performed [if I remember rightly] local material,
I did appreciate the enjoyment of the enthusiastic youngsters performing with gusto - all credit to them.

Actually I 'saw' that Shostakovich Prom on TV (ie it was on during dinner - Hubby's choice of viewing & listening).

Shostakovich is absolutely NOT my scene musically - I don't appreciate discordant sounds - I like Easy Listening!

However, at the end of the evening,
when the musicians changed into their national colours, & performed [if I remember rightly] local material,
I did appreciate the enjoyment of the enthusiastic youngsters performing with gusto - all credit to them.

I used to dislike discordant sounds (still do with many modern works) but Shostakovich has grown on me with age!
Some works are best heard "live". I probably wouldn't listen to it on CD.

To return to the main topic, it didn't bother me at all that there was one Prom with Michael Ball. People make such a fuss about this though.

Back to what James mentioned. I liked the show very much but upon further investigating I find that he really gave some thought with the music he selected. He dealt with the fact that this was a first for a prom, how he felt about it, the fuss about it, gave the purists something from their genre, addressed the fact that the issue has been going on for 120 years, recognized the more popular of music theatre composers, and finished with what I consider an anthem about how we all love music. All kinds of music.

It was well thought out, but not what origianlly had been intended I gather. I heard that either the BBC or the Proms organisers (not sure which) insisted that any guests Michael had had to have recording contracts, which immediately ruled out the appearance of most musical theatre performers and stopped it being a Faenol, MB openair type of show. If this is true, it created a wasted opportunity because of it I fear.

I assummed Laura was chosen partly because of her having been a winner of the BBC voice of musical theatre contest in the past. It's also possible that because the Faenol, MB open air type format had been done at the Royal Opera House few years earlier .That the organisers wanted something different for the Prom. I don't remember anyone mentioning their albums so, that must have been been a case of subliminal advertising

Morman Tabernacle Choir - Salt Lake City - 'Nuff said.

Came after two full concerts the previous two nights. It was sad the performance with the choir didn't go ahead but surely the concerts took precedence on that occasion.

It would be a wasted opportunity alright, if any future musical theatre concerts at the Proms, require performers to have recording contracts. This can't be true. Why should musical theatre actors necessarily have recording work behind them? Very few do! I've never heard of any other BBC gig requiring this. It doesn't apply with regards to participants in other Proms concerts.