If you wonder about the title, the Empire is a famous theatre not a piece of territory! This book is an easy read with enough surprises to make it worth going to the finish. The theatre is in financial difficulties largely because a step relative of the family that own it is making attempts to take it over. There is also another theatre owner who covets it. The lead character is jack Treadwell who grew up in the area and has just returned from the war. He starts off as a doorman but quickly becomes more important than that to the future of the theatre. There is also a domestic secret about his upbringing which he doesn’t know. He meets Grace in the theatre and a romance may be on the cards. She starts writing scripts to try to bring attention to the performances the theatre puts on. All turns out well in the end, of course, because the book is that kind of genre. It is a pleasant read and I recommend it.

It has been a rough few weeks, so I was in the mood for an uplifting book and The Empire by Michael Ball was the book equivalent of snuggling under the duvet.
The book has several points of view but the main character is the enthusiastic Jack Treadwell who has been given an enigmatic message from his late mum to speak to Lady Lassiter ( a former actress now second wife to the Late Lord Lassiter). Jack finds himself thrown into the world of the theatre-sometimes glamorous, sometimes dirty, sometimes dangerous but never boring.
I loved the characters, they all felt human, with all the strengths and weaknesses you would expect. The fact it is set in the North also makes this different to other showbiz books which are usually set in Hollywood, Broadway or London.
There is a gentle love story between Grace and Jack, and the plot moves at a leisurely pace with lush descriptions, humour and mild peril but the author does write about some of the darker aspects of showbiz and how this can affect women in general.
So, I would recommend this book to anyone who needs to read an uplifting book where most of the characters are honest, happy, generous and willing to do anything to save The Empire.
Content Warning
Descriptions of sexual assault

A slow start, but the story then really developed quickly and was interesting right until the end. A lot of characters are introduced which was confusing at first, but I recommend readers stick with it!

Michael Ball's debut novel has everything I would expect from him - a theatre, a smattering of posh people mixed in amongst some undiscovered talent with a whole lot of pluck and a dash of romance to smooth things along.

This book didn't disappoint. The Empire Theatre is past its heyday but the occupants are determined to recapture those days. There are various obstacles along the way and an unlikely romance or two as well. I found it quite difficult to remember how the characters were related to begin with, but once I was a few chapters in, I'd got to grips with them. There's also a handy "who's who" at the beginning, which meant I was able to refer back to it when I needed to.

The main characters are likeable and the plot twists are delivered in all the right places - I'd worked out a few of them in advance, but it didn't matter in the least - yes, there was a level of coincidence in the action, but no more than I would expect in books of this genre.

I liked that the sub-plot explored some less frequently covered territory in this genre - a relationship between an older couple and the darker side of theatre life. I assume that this is to be the first in a series and if so, it does its job well. It's a sold opener, the characters are all established and by the end of the book, the future is looking reasonably bright, albeit with a few challenges to be faced.

Well this was a slow starter and I almost gave up on it, but then wow! Secrets, skulduggery and all the shenanigans of the theatre. Fantastic story in the end, although some parts of the story were predictable/easy to work out.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Michael Ball's first foray into writing is a great success. He has written a compelling backstory, encouraging one to continue reading, and his characters are lovable and easy to champion. I hope he continues to write; I'm sure a series with the same characters would be very well received.

Look. No one is saying Michael Ball isn't an absolute legend, because he is. I've adored everything I've ever heard or seen him do, and Ball and Boe are permanently on my Christmas wish list. In fact, let me just run and see if this year's CD is showing up online yet...yes! Together in Vegas! Awesome!

Right, where was I?

Right, right! The Empire. Michael obviously has a deep, deep love of theatres and the people who populate them. The scenes set backstage are amazing. The characters are great. The fact that the bad guy is only a bad guy because he loves theatre a bit too much - wonderful. I want very much to see Hamlet!!! - I wonder if the RSC are showing anywhere near me any time soon?

However, the shenanigans were not my favourite part of the story. The prologue introduces us, very rapidly, to a lot of people who will later be varying levels of important to the story. In my proof copy, there's no spaces or definition between people, so one line is about Jack and the next is about Lillian and it took me a minute to catch up each time. Likewise, there's a cast list at the start, but in my proof it's all messed up so I couldn't track who each person was. Neither of these will be a problem in the finished copy, of course. The first half also goes by much slower than the first while pieces are being moved into place, but once it takes off it really takes off and by the end I was quite out of breath.

I don't know how closely Michael based the characters on people he's known - I'd be interested to learn who Usher might be! - but if this does ever get filmed, and I think it would be perfect for a Christmas evening movie, I'd like to suggest Michael as Ivor. He could do it perfectly!

I really did enjoy this, and I look forward to reading more in the series. I really don't know how Michael fits everything in!

As an avid musical theatre goer I was so excited to read this and it didn’t disappoint. As a debut novel it was a good one. A cosy read, set in the North of England, that tempts you in to explore the enchanting loves and lives of the theatre staff, owners and performers in the 1920s. There is a massive cast of characters and it did make it hard to get into the flow of the book as quickly as I would like; I did have to refer back to the cast list a few times which isn’t so simple reading on kindle. That said once I had everyone clear in my mind I whizzed through the book.

Briefly, the Lassiter’s are a wealthy family in Highbridge and following the death of the patriarch his second wife and former actress has left The Empire in the hands of Edmund Lassiter along with all the other family businesses. Returning from the trenches, and time spent in Paris, Jack Treadwell starts working at the theatre. Alongside Grace he determines to save the Empire when local theatre impresario Joe Allerdyce uses underhanded means to close them down.

The storyline was a good one, with lots of threads that all came together well, although most of the twists were easy to guess well ahead of the reveals. There was a satisfying ending which left it open for me to think there may be a second book. I loved all the glamour and glitz alongside the hard work and greasepaint, the touches of romance, the devious characters and the triumph of good over bad. A perfect musical in itself! The book doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is - a good lighthearted read perfect for a sunny holiday or for wrapping yourself in a blanket on the sofa with a hot drink. Very enjoyable.

The Empire by Michael Ball is a charming, captivating, majestic, electrifying, exciting and dazzling masterpiece. I know I used a lot of adjectives here but this wonderful piece of work deserves all the praises in the whole wide world.

I am not sure if I read a story or watched a play. As I was reading through, I could imagine all the scenes (and acts) in my head. The glitz, the glamour, gossip and rumor, villains (well, every story must have one, right?) and a dash of romance, this book is an absolute masterpiece.

I loved the characters and the setting. I have read a couple of historical fiction novels but if I have to pick a story that stood out from the rest, I would definitely pick The Empire. Soon after joining The Empire, Jack learns there's a lot more to a theatre than just plays. The actors, things that happen backstage, the costumes and of course, juicy gossip that threatens to hamper progress.

The story gets real juicy (with a twist or two) when Jack learns of a shocking secret - good enough to bring down what he built so far. The ending was a huge surprise - one last twist before the curtain falls.

If I have to choose a favorite character - well, a difficult task this as I also loved Grace, Stella, Evie, Edmond (a perfect villain), Billy, Lance, Usher (whose name sounds like sheep eating blancmange) and Lillian - I would choose Jack. From a PoW to doorman to assistant to manager, he's had the most transforming role in the story.

There's also a bit of mystery - something to do with stolen funds and false accusation. This side story took an interesting turn when someone close to Jack decided to investigate. The game is afoot!

I absolutely loved every bit of this book - from characters to story to storytelling.

If you are looking for a magnificent and captivating read set in the 1922, full of drama, glitz and glamour, I highly recommend you to give The Empire by Michael Ball a try.

Having been a fan of Michael Ball for years, I was eager to read this book especially as the story is centred in the theatre, a subject that he knows well.
Due mainly to interference from a devious competitor, The Empire Theatre is finding it challenging to survive, but Jack Treadwell, an ex Army officer now employed at the theatre, has a plan to bring in some old music hall acts to bring in the customers.
Set in the roaring 20s, there is a real sense of theatre and atmosphere, and I enjoyed reading about the glitz and glamour of that era. However, I found the first few chapters difficult as so many characters are introduced, and had to keep checking who they were. Their personalities became more established as the story unfolded becoming more interesting.
The book reads at a steady pace, with lots of intrigue, humour and some quirky characters, especially the music hall acts. Michael Ball brings the stage alive with his vivid, insightful writing, but I feel that the large number of characters and backgrounds made me lose focus a little. But looking forward to his next book.

What a wonderful book, as full of warmth and wit as Michael himself! As a massive fan, I was rather worried that I wouldn’t like the book, or that it was poorly written but I absolutely loved it. Beautifully written with memorable characters and a great plot, this is a book no one could dislike. You can smell the greasepaint, taste the interval drinks and hear the band. The star of the show is The Empire itself, but how I missed the characters (especially Billy) when I finished. Absolute magic!

This is set just after the war and Jack Treadwell turns up for an interview at the Empire. Little does he know how that one action will change everything about his life forever.
This has it all - rivalry, feuding families, fraudsters, the magical world of theatre.
Loved it but not going to give anymore away - read it - you will not be disappointed!

Will The Empire theatre go dark? It’s the 1920s. Lady Lassiter, grieving for her husband, goes to see her oldest friend Evie, an actress, in New York. Together with a motley assortment of artistes and others, they endeavour to save The Empire when it’s threatened with closure. Takes a while to remember who’s who, as there are so many characters! For theatre-lovers and anyone who likes to see the underdog fight back. A book to cheer you up.

As a huge fan of the theatre I was so excited when I saw this pop up on NetGalley and it definitely didn’t disappoint! It was definitely a slow start but it definitely made up for that, it was an easy read with characters I ended up really caring about and a story that firmly held my attention.

Well it was all I expected it to be tbh, fun, happy, sad, and rimantic with many sub stories that all centred around ‘The Empire’, a bustling theatre in the 1920’s….it has great highs and even greater low’s, precise description of theatre life and front and back stage gossip/life and a trailblazing set of I’d say 20 main characters…and yes there is a cast list at the beginning to refer to if needed
It’s written with passion and an obvious love of all things theatre and as a debut it’s really good, one of those books you fall into in the first few pages, instantly picture yourself as part of the book and just really love reading and being part of the razzmatazz and all the drama
Very enjoyable, definite standing ovation here 😋

The Empire by Michael Ball

If you fancy a light-hearted easy reading story then this is it.

It tells a tale set in and around the Empire Theatre and is set 100 years ago in 1922. The main character, Jack Treadwell, is engaging and you quickly build sympathy for him. There are a lot of other characters, none of whom are expanded on to the extent Jack is and some are rather stereotypes of actors. But I guess Michael Ball knows a lot more about this than I do! It did not take away from my enjoyment of the book.

The plot revolves around making the Empire succeed against various plots by three sets of villains. If you are an avid reader you will quickly work out what is what and the ’twist’ can be worked out in advance, though none the less satisfying for that. I liked the cast of players in the novel and found it an engaging read. I also enjoyed the historical aspects of the book and references to the Great War.

Would be ideal holiday reading and does not pretend to be great literature. But the prose flows along nicely and I was so keen to get back to the story that I read this in two sessions.

I read a proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers. Recommended.

After a slow start and a bit of confusion as to who was who the book gradually gained pace and became an enjoyable read. It was easy to imagine the theatre with the glitz and glamour from front of house and the struggles going on behind the scenes. Costumes, to make, scenery to assemble, the singers and dancers and the rehearsals. There is also a mystery with lies, deceit and rivalry that overshadow the good work Grace and Jack together with the theatre company are trying to carry out.

I hope there will be a further book about the theatre because there is so much more to explore.

I am so pleased that I have been given the chance to read Michael Ball's debut book The Empire It is a wonderful story set in 1922 theatreland ,the Empire is struggling but then along comes Jack and everything changes .There are some great characters and the descriptions of how a theatre works were brilliant I really felt I lnew the characters and the theatre.These were the days of glamour ,it is a story of love and hope against all the odds and most of all Family ..I loved it and hope a sequel might be written ? Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

The Empie by Michael Ball

1922. When Jack Treadwell first arrives at The Empire, a rehearsal is in full swing, and he is instantly mesmerised by the glitz and glamour of it all. But Jack quickly learns that the true magic of The Empire is the cast of characters - both on stage and backstage - that work tirelessly to ensure the show will go on, no matter what. Jack joins them, throwing himself into theatre life, finding an eccentric new family and maybe even a leading lady of his own .
Wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book as often books written by celebrities often lack that certain something.
However , no such worries as it has everything you could want in a read of pure escapism . Loved everything about it , the storyline , the characters , the plot . It has a tv series wrote all over it. Please , please write another one .

Well firstly, who wouldn’t want to read this book! Not only it is written by someone that is so well know, but the cover immediately entices you in! The Empire takes us back to the 1920’s and straight into the heart of musical theatre and revue. Jack Treadwell is an WW1 army veteran and manages to find himself a job at The Empire Theatre which is on the verge of being bought out by a rival theatre owner. Jack works together with Grace, another theatre worker, to try and bring The Empire back to life!

This was an enjoyable read and as I read, I could hear the author’s recognisable voice coming out through the pages. I must admit for me, it was a little bit of a slow start. However, after this I settled into the storyline and was captivated by Jack and Grace’s battles to keep the theatre open. There are a lot of characters introduced in one go and this does take a little time to remember everyone, but as the book moves on the author’s easy writing makes them all so memorable.

The author’s musical theatre and showbiz background really brings the book to life, and whilst this story is set in a completely different era to what the author is used to, he uses all his knowledge to make the characters and The Empire shine! Whilst it’s not necessarily a comedic plot, there are some lovely light-hearted moments scattered throughout the book which brought a smile to my face every time. There is a lot going on within this story with a little bit of mystery, intrigue, drama, romance and fun happening which kept me turning those pages to the very end. Hopefully we’ll get to see more of The Empire and definitely more from this author!