I love musical theatre, and from the little I’ve seen of Michael in photos and on TV, he seems a happy, cheery person. I think that comes across in this memoir too, as he narrates it with humour. So why the 3 stars instead of higher?

I hummed and hawed about 3 or 4 stars - on the plus side, it shows how a show comes into being. I knew a fair bit of theatre terminology before, but learnt more here. But it is 50% a memoir of the show Aspects of Love, as much as it’s 50% a memoir of Michael himself. I think what knocked it down to 3 stars for me, is that when it toed the line of ego, it just stepped over it a bit too much for me. I get that it’s his memoir. I get that he’s a veteran performer with an illustrious CV and excellent voice. But you’d be forgiven at times for feeling as though the world revolved around Michael - his idea to restage the show, his driving it. Him being almost ringmaster of the cast, him name dropping people he’s worked with, him having the inside scoop on how to handle/interpret Andrew Lloyd Webber… For someone who seemed kind and thoughtful, what threw me first of all was how he talked about younger performers now citing tiredness or mental health, giving examples of people saying they were tired, to which his response was basically “suck it up - get in there or don’t come back”. I hoped we’d moved past the days of “unless your heart has stopped beating, get on stage because the show goes on, regardless”, and into maybe a more enlightened age where it’s recognised that sometimes you would benefit from a softer touch. Of course when he talks about Roger Moore struggling with the original staging of Aspects (he ultimately leaves, at I think the producers’ request, but frames it as him choosing to leave for the betterment of the show), *that’s OK*. Why not tell Roger to just pull himself together?

Ultimately, it could have been a self deprecating, tongue in cheek look at a long career - instead, I found it a bit “look at me me me, lovey, aren’t I marvellous?”

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

An account of the history of Aspects the stage show and its origins and then the resurgence to a new version. Interesting to hear about the theatres and production teams involved and some little stories of interactions with the luvvie crowd. It's more of a memoir of one stage production rather than the whole of the authors life. Thank you #NetGalley for the audiobook to review.

**listened to the audiobook**

Now, I have to admit... I'm really not a fan of Michael Ball. I adore all things musical theatre, but Ball really greats on me, he comes across as very arrogant to me - plus I have had friends who have worked professionally with him, who have backed up my thoughts about him being arrogant. There were some great examples of this within the book too - Ball makes excuses after revealing that no one wanted to talk to him, or add him to a whatsapp group, saying is 'an age thing!' He also made a backstage toilet 'his own' even though it was initially a toilet for all of the company backstage. He also mentions when talking about the Aspects revival promo shoot, that he states its all about him! He also declares himself as someone who 'saves the day' and recovers scenes, when they went wrong, or when a fellow cast member would leave a prop on stage.
Not sounding particularly humble here - but hey, it's his book right?
Maybe it sounds more arrogant than it would than just reading the text, as Ball narrates the audio book himself.

However, this book was a great insight into the theatrical world rather than an insight into the world of Michael Ball (perhaps other books of his have done this - but don't go into this thinking it's a straightforward Ball autobiography.) I liked hearing how rehearsals went, and being let into a few backstage insights that haven't been spoken about before. I particularly loved hearing about the late Dame Gillian Lynne and her potty mouth!

Overall, I'm surprised to say that I did actually really enjoy the book as I liked the backstage look into the world of the theatre. Something that particularly interests me. Pleased I read it, and got a lot from it as a theatre fan!

I was a big Michael Ball fan when I was a child, so was intrigued to give this a listen. A great insight into the workings of theatre and into Michael’s life. He has a great sense of humour and I enjoyed listening to him read it himself. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers.

This was my ultimate guilty pleasure, having Michael Ball read me his "Different Aspects" book. It was pure indulgence on my part. Having been to a lot of shows that he has been in including Aspects 2, it was interesting to hear the backstage stories and goings-on. 5/5 from me!

A really enjoyable audiobook giving lots of insight into the world of musical theatre and narrated by the lovely man himself.
Michael recounts how he came to love music and how his acting paved the way to him appearing in some of the most loved musicals of all time. There's plenty of interesting name dropping and lots of humour throughout making this a very pleasant read.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced listener copy of this audiobook.

I love tales of 'back stage' and Michael Ball has a great story to tell. He's a terrific narrator too with a lovely witty sparkle in his tone which made the book even more enjoyable

A memoir from Michael Ball letting us into the process and work that was needed to relaunch Aspects of Love and his hot Love Changes Everything.

I enjoyed hearing (I listened to the audiobook) how Michael wanted to relaunch the show that brought him fame. Hearing about the people he worked with past and present. An insight into the skills and committed from all involved in theatre who work to put on a show for us, the public. Long May live theatre continue.

While I’m not necessarily a huge fan of Michael Ball or musical theatre in general, I’ve always found Michael Ball hugely likeable and charismatic as a person. So when the opportunity came to listen to and review this audiobook I jumped at the chance.

I remember vividly the buzz around the original Aspects Of Love and Love Changes Everything belting from the kitchen radio every week for what felt like decades, I even remember the video, so it was a real treat to dive in and hear all about that time from Michael. Many years later I was lucky enough to see him in Les Mis with The Mammy on Londons West End (I should add that it was purely The Mammy’s choice and I went grudgingly, yet was enthralled and sobbing all the way through, I’m a huge embarrassment in the theatre, the type of person who has lovely elderly people sat around me consoling me - to the many, I am sorry and thank you) anyway he is a class act a true talent. But he also seems to be a genuinely lovely man, and I’m pleased to say that this shines from the book, even when he’s not being particularly lovely about people it’s delivered in the nicest way. It’s also a huge lesson on theatre, production, auditions, training and making a musical. I don’t think you’d have to be a fan to enjoy this actually it has a lot to hold the interest, and there’s a lovely bonus at the end of the audio.

Thoroughly enjoyed it, an easy 4 🌟

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier UK Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

It will be no surprise that I quite like Mr Ball, why else would I be listening to his memoir?
He comes across so well, he truly might be the nicest man in showbiz.
Some amusing stories from his life/shows, which having seen a few of them were nice to see the back story.
An enjoyable listen, it had me smiling a good bit.
Great name dropping, and excellent showbiz stories.