--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is as polar opposite as it comes for…" description: "\"It is as polar opposite as it comes for the man who was Edna Turnblad in 'Hairspray' to come back as Sweeney Todd.\" — Michael Ball" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/michael-ball-6205_actor_it-is-as-polar-opposite-as-it-comes-for_2715740.jpg" --- # It is as polar opposite as it comes for the man who was… ![“It is as polar opposite as it comes for the man who was Edna Turnblad in 'Hairspray' to come back as Sweeney Todd.” quote by Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/michael-ball-6205_actor_it-is-as-polar-opposite-as-it-comes-for_2715740.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/michael-ball-6205_actor_it-is-as-polar-opposite-as-it-comes-for_2715740.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/michael-ball-6205_actor_it-is-as-polar-opposite-as-it-comes-for_2715740.jpg) > “It is as polar opposite as it comes for the man who was Edna Turnblad in 'Hairspray' to come back as Sweeney Todd.” [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Casting an actor in a role opposite to their iconic character creates stark contrast and surprise. **In simple terms:** Opposite roles highlight versatility. Key Takeaway Embrace diverse artistic challenges. Themes theatre casting contrast Mood intrigued surprised Type analytical creative When to use this quote - musical theatre - film adaptations - character studies Key Concepts typecasting artistic range surprise factor Questions to Reflect On - What draws viewers to unexpected casting? - How does contrast affect narrative? A Different Perspective Audience may resist drastic role changes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Sweeney todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sweeney-todd/) ## Related quotes > ['Fly' really is the polar opposite of 'Girl in a Country Song.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maddie-marlow/fly-really-is-the-polar-opposite-of-girl-in-a-country-song/) [Maddie Marlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maddie-marlow/) > [I actually prefer getting into roles that are the polar opposite of me; that's why I've done so many dark and dreary things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-lee-smith/i-actually-prefer-getting-into-roles-that-are-the-polar-opposite-of/) [Lauren Lee Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-lee-smith/) > [I was always kind of serious. It's nice to be able to play a complete bad boy who's the polar opposite to who I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-o-donoghue/i-was-always-kind-of-serious-it-s-nice-to-be-able-to-play-a-complete/) [Colin O'Donoghue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-o-donoghue/) > [Psychologically, when you've been overweight, you want to achieve the polar opposite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-david/psychologically-when-you-ve-been-overweight-you-want-to-achieve-the/) [Craig David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-david/) > [“Alright! You sir, you sir, how about a shave? Come and visit your good friend Sweeney. You sir, too sir? Welcome to the grave.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/alright-you-sir-you-sir-how-about-a-shave-come-and-visit-your-good/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [Transformations don't scare me: it thrills me to become the polar opposite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-roach/transformations-don-t-scare-me-it-thrills-me-to-become-the-polar/) [Alexandra Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-roach/) > [The minute one utters a certainty, the opposite comes to mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/the-minute-one-utters-a-certainty-the-opposite-comes-to-mind/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [“When you pray for what you most want in the world, its opposite comes along with it. I was given a woman whom I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/when-you-pray-for-what-you-most-want-in-the-world-its-opposite-comes/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [That's the only show where, if anyone says to me, 'Is there a role you want to play?', I say, yeah, I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/that-s-the-only-show-where-if-anyone-says-to-me-is-there-a-role-you/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [It always amazed me that he was able to do it, and that Orson Welles was able to do it. I never understood it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rydell/it-always-amazed-me-that-he-was-able-to-do-it-and-that-orson-welles/) [Mark Rydell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rydell/) > [“Doesn’t it tire you?” I asked. “To feel so much?” “Doesn’t it tire you to not feel at all?” In that moment, I realized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittainy-c-cherry/doesn-t-it-tire-you-i-asked-to-feel-so-much-doesn-t-it-tire-you-to/) [Brittainy C. Cherry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittainy-c-cherry/) > [“Here is a universal law: that when it comes to negative and positive, you will always thrive more powerfully in the positive if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c/here-is-a-universal-law-that-when-it-comes-to-negative-and-positive/) [C. JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c/) > [If a character is going to end up one way, you start them a certain way. If they're gonna end up the polar opposite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-burger/if-a-character-is-going-to-end-up-one-way-you-start-them-a-certain/) [Neil Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-burger/) > [How did thie person-someone I'd imagined would be my polar opposite-always seem to find the things that would make me the happiest?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiera-cass/how-did-thie-person-someone-i-d-imagined-would-be-my-polar-opposite/) [Kiera Cass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiera-cass/) > [For me it's the funnest thing in the world, just zipping up in a different skin and completely act like someone who's the polar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/for-me-it-s-the-funnest-thing-in-the-world-just-zipping-up-in-a/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) ## More by Michael Ball > [I'd love to explore South America, but the security issues worry me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/i-d-love-to-explore-south-america-but-the-security-issues-worry-me/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [How many millions of times have I sung 'Love Changes Everything?' But when I see how it matters to people, it gives me the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/how-many-millions-of-times-have-i-sung-love-changes-everything-but/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [As a person, Stephen Sondheim is a very funny, very dry and very shy man. I've never witnessed any diva-ish moments, he just always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/as-a-person-stephen-sondheim-is-a-very-funny-very-dry-and-very-shy/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [I can't properly explain it, but I don't mind admitting I suffered a breakdown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/i-can-t-properly-explain-it-but-i-don-t-mind-admitting-i-suffered-a/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [I've got soft features, curly hair with blonde bits and dimples. People think of me as a singer, an entertainer, someone who's always there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/i-ve-got-soft-features-curly-hair-with-blonde-bits-and-dimples-people/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [You can generate a phenomenal relationship with an audience. It's very gratifying, a real privilege.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/you-can-generate-a-phenomenal-relationship-with-an-audience-it-s-very/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [As a performer, once you've understood the genre of musical theatre, you can tire very quickly of the two-dimensional stuff. With Sondheim, it's always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/as-a-performer-once-you-ve-understood-the-genre-of-musical-theatre/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [I've recorded a few Bacharach songs over the years and performed some in concert and always felt they suited me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/i-ve-recorded-a-few-bacharach-songs-over-the-years-and-performed-some/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [We've all sort of been there: It's coming on Christmas, all that preparation is going on, and you just want to escape. You don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/we-ve-all-sort-of-been-there-it-s-coming-on-christmas-all-that/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [Les Mis' was an amazing experience, to be in the original cast of 'Les Miserables,' and 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' God bless it that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/les-mis-was-an-amazing-experience-to-be-in-the-original-cast-of-les/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [I'd always had this hankering to try some opera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/i-d-always-had-this-hankering-to-try-some-opera/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [When I was playing Marius in the inaugural production of 'Les Mis,' I contracted glandular fever which developed into a post-viral depression. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/when-i-was-playing-marius-in-the-inaugural-production-of-les-mis-i/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [I spent my 40th birthday on the stage of the Palladium in 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/i-spent-my-40th-birthday-on-the-stage-of-the-palladium-in-chitty/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [That's what distinguishes the pros from people involved in amateur theatre. You just go out and do it again and again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/that-s-what-distinguishes-the-pros-from-people-involved-in-amateur/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [Try to leave people feeling better for having met you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/try-to-leave-people-feeling-better-for-having-met-you/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) [Explore all 99 Michael Ball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) ## More Actor quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is as polar opposite as it comes for the man who was Edna Turnblad in 'Hairspray' to come back as Sweeney Todd.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael Ball" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/it-is-as-polar-opposite-as-it-comes-for-the-man-who-was-edna-turnblad/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/it-is-as-polar-opposite-as-it-comes-for-the-man-who-was-edna-turnblad/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/michael-ball-6205_actor_it-is-as-polar-opposite-as-it-comes-for_2715740.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/michael-ball-6205_actor_it-is-as-polar-opposite-as-it-comes-for_2715740.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/705/michael-ball-6205_actor_it-is-as-polar-opposite-as-it-comes-for_2715740.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is as polar opposite as it comes for the man who was Edna Turnblad in 'Hairspray' to come back as Sweeney…” — Michael Ball", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Michael Ball", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is as polar opposite as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/it-is-as-polar-opposite-as-it-comes-for-the-man-who-was-edna-turnblad/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/it-is-as-polar-opposite-as-it-comes-for-the-man-who-was-edna-turnblad/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```