It is with great sadness that I have to report the sudden death from cancer of London Box Office critic at the age of 42.
He regularly reported for us especially on new dance productions enriching our coverage of London Theatre.
Michael was my friend and choreographer on productions of musicals Mile High, Finian's Rainbow, Princess Ida, Road Show and Princess Caraboo and was the movement director for Brecht's play Fear and Misery of the Third Reich.
His energy was always overwhelming. He seized every opportunity and ran with it full pelt. In his work, at least with me, he was never entirely suited to the millennial "all must have prizes" mentality. Dancers either kept up and went with it and "got" the sometimes gruff, dry Germanic manner, which coated his heart of gold, or they whined; in which case he'd still come back and catch them up regardless of their antagonism. But he never compromised and made sure no performer did either. Ultimately we all loved him for it.
It was exhilarating to work with him, the results were always thrilling and the pride he took in what he'd achieved was always a delight.
The cancer which took him was swift and merciless, the last time I met up with him, he was on his way to review Much Ado About Nothing for us, out and about after his first dose of chemotherapy. As he took off his hat to show me he had no hair he was crying and laughing at the same time.
At that point it looked liked the treatment regime had a chance. I'm devastated to learn, such a short time later, that it didn't.
Although I wasn't familiar with his teaching and ballroom work I know he was much loved and respected in both fields. I also know he loved his partner Sebastian Castro and his nephew and sister so much - because he kept telling me.
Such uninhibited enthusiasm also coloured his reviews, which were sometimes quite difficult to edit because they were bursting with praise and admiration.
I shall miss him enormously as a friend and colleague.
A memorial fund has been set up: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/TMV
Photograph of Thomas Michael Voss by Roy Tan.
When enterprising young theatre maker Jez Bond had the opportunity to build a smart new theatre behind Finsbury Park tube station he knew he'd need a lot of influential friends.