I got my OBE for putting up with him!
BALL and Boe seem inseparable. On top of new album Back Together and a 2020 tour, the buddies are currently sharing a stage in Les Miserables where they are dream-teaming as Javert andvaljean.
They even share a dressing room, complete with comfy sofa, humidifier for their voices, and silk bathrobes.
Sadly, when we meet backstage at the Queen’s Theatre, they appear in standard jeans and shirts but the riotous next half-hour more than makes up for it.their personalities, just like their voices, are very different but blend beautifully.
The new album includes Wishing You Were Somehow Hereagain.are they destined to be together for ever?
“I hope so,” says Michael. “Although that song is sung about someone who is dead.” He pauses to squint at Alfie, who cracks up laughing, and we’re off.
“People say we’re like Morecambe and Wise,” Michael says, “But I think we’re more Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.we have our own careers but we love coming back together.”
“I want to do more big musicals together,” Alfie says. “Starting with The Blues Brothers.”
They met on a famously disastrous 2007 production of Kismet where Michael relieved tension by mooning Alfie backstage.are Ball’s buttocks the key to this beautiful bromance?
“I don’t remember them being beautiful,” Alfie sighs.
“Excuse me, they are pert and well-moisturised,” Michael cackles.
“When he bent over, I thought there was a new trap door,” quips Alfie. “I blacked out. In fact, I don’t remember anything of the past 12 years.what happened?”
The new album also includes the Sinatra classic My Way. I ask them to describe each other’s “way”.
Alfie wastes no time. “Michael’s way usually involves stilettos, a push-up bra and hairnet.”
Michael laughs so hard he actually falls off the edge of the sofa
“Actually, I think we have the Ball and Boe way,” Alfie says. “We add to each other’s ideas and something better always comes out.”
“We’ll always listen to each other,” Michael says. “We have an instinct when one of us is right.we get each other’s strengths and always stay true to the initial plan which was to have fun. It was never a cynical, commercial venture.we invest too much of ourselves, our time and energy.”
THEY certainly aren’t holding back – next year’s tour ups the scale to arenas. How do they get in shape for that? Alfie likes to box and work out. Michael, 57, has his own regime. “Origami is pretty heavy work,” he grins. “He’s a black belt,” Alfie, 46, adds. Alfie may be the fit one but he’s more prone to mishaps – “I’ve fallen off a number of stages.”
“I wouldn’t laugh,” says Michael. “Although I might make it happen...” He mimes peering over the edge, “Are you OK,ALF? Don’t worry, I’ll take a solo on this one...”
He goes on: “Personally, I love having him in my life. Professionally, I’ve done things I would never have done on my own.the best thing is when you’re out on a stage feeling all the love and accolades.
“There is no drug like it but it is impossible to express to anyone who isn’t there. I have my mate next to me, sharing it. He gets it. It makes it real.”
Alfie naturally pops that balloon: “Michael being in my life is community service. I got my OBE for charity work, for putting up with him.” “Oh, please,”