Christmas with Boe & Ball
Music and laughter, two things the world needs – and who embodies that spirit more than Alfie Boe and Michael Ball? Editor Siobhan Wykes chats to the nicest men in Britain to put us in the festive mood…
Alfie Boe and Michael Ball first met when they starred in Kismet at the London Coliseum in 2007. The show was a flop – but it led to one of the best-loved partnerships in musical history. Handsome, charming and oh-so witty – the talented duo don’t take themselves – or each other – too seriously.
Hi guys, we are now in lockdown 2.0 – but when did you two last see each other in the flesh?
Michael: Two weeks ago! We had tests and stayed socially distanced but it’s important you are together when recording – it’s how ideas flow – and it was lovely to see him!
The name of your new album, Together Again, is something we’re all hoping for right now. Until then we have music and that’s why you did the album, isn’t it?
Michael: Yes, we wanted to create songs we all love at Christmas, with a few surprises along the way.
What are your own favourite carols?
Michael: I love so many but my favourite’s Oh Holy Night.
Alfie, do you do the descant when you are in church singing it?
Alfie: Oh yeah… My sister used to do it when we were young and it bloody annoyed me as she can’t sing! She just wanted to stand out and she was awful. (Both laugh).
You’re such good fun together but I have a few questions for each of you. Michael, are you still helping your wife with the cleaning dressed as Edna Turnblad from Hairspray?
Well, my cleaning doesn’t really help Cath out! ( laughs). I mostly do the cooking. That was back in March, I was doing that because she was poorly, she had Covid and I was getting used to the costume again for the theatre production of the show. She had Covid really badly, so I took over everything – and was very happy to hand it back to her when she came out the other end!
Did you get Covid too?
Yes. But we’re both fine now.
Alfie, you said back in March that home schooling your children (Grace, 12 and Alfie, seven) was ‘seriously annoying’ – is that still the case?
(Laughs): Well, it was ‘seriously annoying’ because it made me realise how little I knew and how much more intelligent my children are than me!
You also said when you need cheering up, you put on one of Michael’s albums to make you laugh – is that still the case?
Michael: You said that?! Seriously?
Alfie (laughs): Yes, I did. I apologise. Maybe, I need to tell people to play both our albums at the same time and then the whole nation can laugh.