How great to see a packed Ipswich Regent for the opening night of musical star Michael Ball’s new tour – “From Both Sides Now”.

For me as a lifelong theatre fan, Michael Ball is a name that I have grown up with. This however, other than the Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2, was the first time I had seen him in person.

The first half of the concert was linked to the new album with a selection of songs that you wouldn’t normally associate with Michael – all sung beautifully and supported admirably by a superb band and backing singers. Songs included Edge of Glory, Christine McVie’s Songbird and I Will Always Love You, made famous from the film The Bodyguard, but written by none other than Dolly Parton. The second half was musical theatre – and almost a trip down memory lane for Michael, charting his musical career from being cast as Marius in Les Miserables, through to more recently Sweeney Todd and Hairspray. You got the feeling that while everyone enjoyed Act One, it was this that they were waiting to hear.

It was a delight to see him on stage, clearly doing what he loves, entertaining and chatting with the audience.