Ensemble Bios

Michael Ball

“It’s time something special was done on behalf of Michael Ball – such as declaring him a national treasure”
Jamie Portman, CanWest News Service

Hailed as one of the most experienced Shavian actors of the English-speaking theatre, Mr Michael Ball’s acting career spans over forty-five years. His long list of theatre credits includes more than forty productions for the Shaw Festival since 1976. Some of his most notable performances include Captain Shotover in Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House, The Count in Ferenc Molnár’s The President (2011/2008), his scene-stealing portrayal of feeble butler Burrows in Ways of the Heart, Alderman Collins in Getting Married, Dr Sloper in The Heiress, John Rutherford in Rutherford and Son, Sheridan Whiteside in The Man Who Came to Dinner, Jack Tanner in Man and Superman (1989), Dr Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes, Sir Colenso Ridgeon in The Doctor’s Dilemma (1991), Charles McFadden in Counsellor-at-Law, Sir Patrick Cullen in Bernard Shaw’s The Doctor’s Dilemma and as Withers in J.M. Barrie’s Half an Hour. In his thirty-third season at the Shaw Festival, Mr Ball can be seen in French Without Tears and The Millionairess.

A graduate of the National Theatre School in 1964, Michael Ball has been gainfully employed as an actor ever since, enjoying leading roles at the Vancouver Playhouse, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Canadian Stage Company, Tarragon Theatre, Theatre New Brunswick, Neptune Theatre and the National Arts Centre. His extensive stage work, combined with various roles on television shows such as Street Legal, has made Michael a popular actor with audiences across Canada. His recent theatre credits include Humble Boy (Tarragon Theatre) and Hobson’s Choice (Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre Company).

Born in Ottawa, Ontario and raised in Victoria and Vancouver, Michael shares his home in Niagara-on-the-Lake with his wife and fellow Ensemble member Wendy Thatcher, whom he met when they shared the stage in The Shaw’s 1986 production of Cavalcade. They have since had opportunities to work together on the stage, most memorably in the 1990 production of Village Wooing at the Shaw Festival. In 2007, they appeared on stage together in The Circle.