Mike Dyer-Ball

BACKGROUND HISTORY

Michael was born in a nursing home in York, right beneath the Minster itself. His mother however, was determined to rejoin her husband, so, at the age of only six months, Michael was shipped out to The Gold Coast, now Ghana, on a troop ship that his mother had managed to hitch a lift with. In those days wives were not encouraged to join husbands who had been posted out to the bush of Africa! Michael therefore spent most of his childhood until the age of 15, first of all, in the Northern Territories of Ghana in Laura, and then at the age of seven in Accra, the capital. His father was the District Commissioner of the Northern Territories, until he was promoted to the Ministry of Interior in Accra.

 Denys, Michael's father, left Oxford University, where he had met his wife, to join the 3rd West African Regiment at the outbreak of war and fought with them in Abyssinia and then Burma. He then joined the Colonial Office and opted to be posted to the Gold Coast, to rejoin the africans he had fought alongside.  He was responsible in the North for the development of schools and education in his area. There is a very fine book by S.W.D.K. Gandah, " The Silent Rebel" which refers to this and even has Denys's picture in it.

 Michael was sent back to England for his schooling at the very tender age of six, something he was none to happy about, but it was common practice in those days. However, fortunately, he loved the flying, which was a real adventure in those early days. It took twenty-four hours to fly to Accra at the beginning and the aircraft were very small. For a little boy travelling alone from the age of seven, it was very exciting. Stop-overs included Frankfurt, Rome, Tripoli, Kano, Lagos and then into Accra. Aeroplanes included the Dove, Heron, Hermes, Argonaut, Britannia, Stratocruiser. The B.O.A.C crew were always very charming; one joined the Junior Jet Club; and passengers were always treated very well. Heathrow was just a collection of wartime huts and Universal aunts came and met the little children travelling alone.  It was all so romantic. Of course to this little boy, the journey out to the Gold Coast was always so much happier than the one back to school. Looking back, it seems like another world and I suppose it was. 

 Michael was educated, first of all, at The Wells Court, a preparatory school near Tewkesbury and then at the senior school, The Wells House on the Malvern Hills. The first few weeks were always very hard, because not surprisingly, Michael suffered terribly from homesickness. Not surprising, aged 6, and 6000 miles from home. But, once settled in, like so many, he flourished. Both schools allowed an amazing amount of freedom to play and roam around, most of which would be unheard of today! He revelled in all the sports, theatre and his many friends. In some ways it was better when he didnt go home in the holidays. The leaving was always so painful.

 Michael then attended Charterhouse, the leading public school, near Godalming in Surrey, where his father had been before him. By now, used to the private school system, and not seeing his parents very often, Michael really enjoyed his time there. He joined every club he could, developed his acting, played 1st XI Hockey, was made a School Monitor and fully enjoyed the huge range of activities available to the pupils.

 Michael left Charterhouse to join the RAF as a pilot, having gained a place at RAF Cranwell, the officer training school. This was partly because he was accepted there, but he had found it difficult to decide whether to try for Oxford, where his parents had been, join civil flying at Hamble or become an Actor, where his heart truly lay. Parental pressure eventually decided him. He passed out of Cranwell in 1967 and went onto RAF Valley to train for fighter aircraft.  During his time in Flying Training command, he became Captain of the RAF skiing team, played hockey at command level and tennis for his squadron. After a year "Holding" while everyone waited for new aircraft to be introduced, a very enjoyable time, Michael was posted onto "Lightnings" at Lossiemouth for six years.  The prospect of six years, sitting at the end of a runway in a "defence" role, did not appeal,  and he resigned his commission.

 Michael was now able to follow the path that he had always wanted to do. He applied to all the leading Drama schools for an audition and settled into civilian life with enthusiasm. He was accepted by The Central School of Speech and Drama in 1970 and spent three very happy years there, in an environment that he knew was right for him. He left in 1972 and was fortunate to find work straight away at Southwold and Frinton. His following credits are all listed below.

 Michael is still an Actor, but at present concentrates on his own business, which he created twenty eight years ago in 1992, The East Sutton Community Youth Theatre. The theatre continues to thrive with many of the pupils going on to great things. The Theatre has run a very successful Summer School for 25 years and Michael still runs the weekly Workshops.

 C.V.

Mike is a professional actor. He trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama for three years. He played many parts in Repertory Theatre around the country with leading roles at such venues as The Marlowe, Canterbury; The Swan, Worcester; The Royal Windsor, and Southwold Summer Repertory. He has been in the West End at the Vaudeville and Almeida Theatres and has appeared often on television, the most noteworthy, being 'Peter Marshall' in Casualty and 'Mr Forbes' in Crossroads. He has also toured in Opera, in Carmen with Jose Carreras and Maria Ewing in the lead roles and visited Japan. His last major theatre tour was as 'Mason' in An Ideal Husband, a Peter Hall/Bill Kenwright production, working with such well-known names as Dulcie Gray, Michael Denison, Kate O'Mara, Angharad Rees (Poldark) and David Robb[Downton Abbey].

Mike founded the East Sutton Community Youth Theatre in 1992 with just one class. The success of the theatre is measured by the number of classes and children now attending. The organisation is associated with many schools across Kent and runs a large Summer Fun Camp at Goldwyn Community School just outside Ashford. Mike also trained with Richard Eyre (former Director of the National Theatre) and his wife Sue Birtwhistle (Producer of Pride and Prejudice) at Nottingham Repertory in their Theatre Education company. He worked with the Kent Opera in Schools programme and also has vast experience teaching children through Tennis and Cricket coaching. He is a qualified Tennis Coach.