Introduction:
Mike Sterling has been an Artiste in Theatre, Television, Concert and recording for more than 25 years.
About Mike...
Mike Sterling has been an Artiste in Theatre, Television, Concert and recording for more than 25 years. He has starred in major hit musicals in London's West End, and is known most notably for his interpretation of 'The Phantom' in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" (Her Majesty's Theatre, London & UK Tour - over 1000 performances ) and 'Jean Valjean' in Cameron Mackintosh's "Les Misérables" (Palace Theatre, London), which have earned him international acclaim. Thus, to date he has enjoyed an extremely successful career on a global scale. In 2007 Mike starred in a 6 month sell out UK tour as 'Dexter Haven' in Cole Porter's High Society, alongside 'Wayne Sleep.'
He has starred in many Concerts and UK tours, Including: Les Misérables 10th Anniversary concert at The Royal Albert Hall, London, Cardiff Castle and Hylands Park, Chelmsford. West End Nights, Mike Sterling in Concert, Music from 30's to 90's, Mike's 20th Anniversary Concert tour 2004, Opera from the Heart (with Soprano 'Rosalind Plowright'), Songs from the heart, The Music of Michel Legrand, Stage and Screen Spectacular concert at Stirling Castle, The Music of the Night, Swansea Grand Theatre Centenary Concert (with world famous tenor 'Dennis O'Neil' and soprano 'Dame Gwyneth Jones'), Night of the Great Musicals - Hyde Park's Route of Kings, Harrogate International Centre, Chelmsford Hylands Park, Colchester, Maidstone Proms, Leeds, Cardiff Castle, Dulwich Park, accompanied by orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic, National Symphony orchestra, National Chamber orchestra of Wales and The British Philharmonic.
He studied singing with Welsh Operatic Tenor Allun Davies from the beginning of his career right up to present and drama with the late David Kelsey (Guildford School of Arts). As well as his own series for Border TV, Mike has made many TV appearances for ITV, BBC, CH4, S4C and countless BBC and Independent regional and national radio broadcasts. He has also appeared on several televised Royal Galas in his own right, at The Royal Albert Hall and The London Palladium for LWT and Thames in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales. There he starred alongside International stars including, Eric Clapton, Shirley Bassey & Barry Manilow.
His TV acting credits include: Allo, Allo, The Chief, Surgical Spirit. Recording credits: Les Misérables Manchester cast (Marius), Les Misérables 10th Anniversary (Legles), 'This is the Moment' plus various other 'Musicals' compilation albums.
One of Mike's major milestones was to star as Russell Paxton in Gershwin and Weill's Lady in the dark for the first ever fully produced musical in China, at The Century Theatre, Beijing. The show featured a multi international cast of 150, a dazzling set, plus an orchestra of 120 consisting some of the finest Chinese musicians. Consequently in May 2008 he was invited back to Beijing to play Fagin in the Chinese premier of Lionel Bart's "Oliver" at the PLA Opera House. He also starred in and co-created a brand new show entitled 'The Three Phantoms' which was presented at the prestigious Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff in celebration of the 20th Year of Lord Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, with a 28 piece orchestra. Currently, Mike concentrates mainly on major concert appearances, most notably his show entitled 'Stars of the West End' which has been presented at many major outdoor events, festivals and venues across the UK and Europe. The show features a line-up of principal West End Stars and musicians whom have starred and played in some of the biggest hit musicals of our time in London's West End. Mike was delighted to be guest artiste with 'Michael Ball' in his 2008 UK tour, appearing at venues such as Hampton Court Palace, Liverpool Echo Arena and Patchings Music Festival in Nottingham. He is often guest artiste with many leading orchestras, particularly with The British Philharmonic Orchestra led by Musical director - Callum McLeod. For the past two years running Mike has appeared in Cork City Hall in Ireland with consecutive 2 night sell out concerts with the CYO ORCHESTRA. This is the largest orchestra Mike has appeared with totalling 145 musicians. His various one man shows are also performed on major cruise lines including; Cunard, Oceania and Regent Cruises, and Royal Caribbean. Other work includes providing productions to major corporate and private clients.
For the past 20 years or more Mike has also been an active Vocal Coach, preparing singers and actors for courses at Guilford, Central, LIPA, LSMT. Following their courses he has prepared them to audition for major West End contracts, with many playing principal roles in shows such as Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Whistle Down the Wind and Wicked. He also enjoys teaching at various Drama Schools when he gets the chance. He feels it a very important part of the process in a theatrical career. He maintains that he learnt so much from his vocal coach - Allun Davies and drama coach - the late David Kelsey. Coupled with working with some of the great directors like Harold Prince, Trevor Nunn and John Caird, then he feels this information and experience should be shared.
