Michael Crawford

Born in Wiltshire in 1942, Michael Crawford's career began as a boy soprano in Let’s Make an Opera by Benjamin Britten. In 1967, he made his Broadway debut in Black Comedy, later making his London debut in No Sex Please, We’re British. This led him to the role of Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, which became one of the most popular TV series on the BBC. Whilst in this role, he was asked to star in the musical Billy, which opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 1973. 

In 1981, Crawford starred in Barnum at the London Palladium, winning an Olivier Award. His starring role came in 1986, cast as the title role in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre. He stayed in the role for two and a half years, winning the Olivier Award for Best Actor. 

Since The Phantom of the Opera, Crawford has continued in iconic roles, playing the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. Recently, he starred in new West End musical The Go-Between at the Apollo Theatre.