Michael Ball Steps in for Ailing Michael Crawford in The Woman in White

Michael Ball will step into the role of Count Fosco in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White on February 21 for a six-week engagement. He is taking over for original cast member Michael Crawford, who is on medical leave until early April.

Ball has a long history with Lloyd Webber--he starred in Aspects of Love both in London and on Broadway, The Phantom of the Opera in London and was featured at the composer's 50th birthday celebration. He last appeared on the West End stage in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, in which he played the lead role of Caractus Potts. His other theatrical credits include Les Miserables, The Pirates of Penzance and Passion. In 1999, the actor was presented with the Theatregoers Club of Great Britain's Award for Most Popular Musical Actor of the last 21 years. He has also established himself as a recording artist, releasing a dozen solo albums. He was named The Variety Club of Great Britain's Best Recording Artist in 1998. Since departing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in July 2003, Ball has been touring in support of his latest albums, A Love Story and Love Changes Everything - The Essential Michael Ball which features his hits and some previously unreleased tracks.

Crawford has been out for the last couple of weeks because he is suffering from an acute flu virus. He is under doctor's orders not to return to work until he has made a complete recovery. Understudy Steve Varnom has been playing the role of Count Fosco in his absence and will continue to do so until Ball joins the cast. Crawford aims to return to the show in early April and will then play the role until the end May.

The Woman in White also stars Maria Freidman, Martin Crewes, Angela Christian, Oliver Darley, Jill Paice and Edward Peterbridge.