For its audience, for its actors and singers, for the stagehands, the front-of-house staff, for its backers and its debtors – and above all for its owners – it truly is a palace of dreams. The Empire theatre is the central star in this novel, and most of the drama takes place in the theatre – either backstage or front of house. It looks like a fun and lively place to work, but there are troubles ahead with a rival theatre owner trying to close it down.

Michael Ball turns his hand to writing - Michael Ball Michael Ball turns his hand to writing - Michael Ball

No matter what the pitfalls there is always something to work toward, whether it is in the belief of others around you or accepting that you are capable of being successful, there is always a glimmer of the possible. Musical theatre legend Michael Ball brings his trademark warmth, wit and glamour to this, his debut novel.I just have to mention the gorgeous cover which depicts the era perfectly and I love how it carries on round showing the back of the building complete with stage door.

The Empire: The debut novel from the master of musical The Empire: The debut novel from the master of musical

It has the razzmatazz and the glamour, it also has the shady and the undesirable, but all the way through this story the feeling of "the show must go on" is one that resonated with me. With a touch of romance, glitz and mystery this tale transports the reader to another age with a cast of memorable characters and a beautifully done backdrop. Michael Ball’s debut novel is a magical, gorgeously written historical novel that I would highly recommend. As a huge theatre fan, I enjoyed watching the story unfold - the writing brings the theatre to life and the reader can almost smell the greasepaint and hear the audience cheer.

Lillian owns The Empire theatre and was previously a showgirl before marrying the older Sir Barnabas Lassiter. Michael Ball is the UK’s foremost musical theatre star, and a multi-platinum recording artist and popular radio and TV presenter. This is something that I adored, as the author took me through the mazes behind the scenes, to the offices, the foyers, the dressing rooms and the stage. If I have to choose a favorite character - well, a difficult task this as I also loved Grace, Stella, Evie, Edmond (a perfect villain), Billy, Lance, Usher (whose name sounds like sheep eating blancmange) and Lillian - I would choose Jack. From music hall to vaudeville, from revue to grand musical spectacular, it holds a special place in the nation’s heart.