A recent feature article in the U.S. publication Cabaret Scenes said “Roulston’s creative output spans mainstream and alternative genres, and shapes artistic endeavours all over the capital.  His work ethic can only be described as heroic… As his reputation grows, and his influence spreads, cabaret devotees can feel reassured that London cabaret is in safe, adventurous hands.  Musical Theatre Review said ‘Roulston is an accomplished and versatile musical director and composer who appears to be constantly working in the West End and beyond.  A regular face behind the piano at practically every major cabaret venue in London’.  

After college, Michael started out on the comedy circuit in the late 90s as 'Peter & Mike' with some TV appearances on Bravo and Carlton channels. Over the years he has MD'd several musical theatre productions and developed a reputation as an interactive on stage accompanist and actor.  More recently his focus has increasingly been on songwriting. He has composed and contributed lyrcis for over two hundred songs written with various collaborators and using his skills as a creative enabler, helping singers develop their ideas into shows. These are some of those collaborations:

Fascinating Aïda

Michael has been member of the musical satire group Fascinating Aïda since 2019.  They are currently touring their 40th anniversary UK Tour which Michael accompanies and has composed music for.  Their touring has included runs at the London Palladium, the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank and Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

Sarah-Louise Young

Together they have created several shows and six albums of material.  They have their own website here.  Their creation 'Cabaret Whore' saw four different productions;  'Je Regrette!' a darkly comic character show with French Chanson influences, directed by Peta Lily;  'Maxa, The Most Assassinated Woman In The World', a full length ensemble musical which workshopped at Wilotn's Music Hall.  Their double act 'Roulston & Young' recorded two albums 'Songs For Cynics' and 'Two Faced'. They played Edfringe 2015, Crazy Coqs London, Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Melbourne Butterfly Club.

They have had song commissioned by:  Norwich Puppet Theatre;  Soho Theatre and Southwark Playhouse's 'Terror' Season;  Marcel Lucont;  Black Cat Cabaret;  Ophelia Bitz;  Clementine Living Fashion Doll and the late Lynn Ruth Miller.  They also offer a bespoke song writing service.

Their successful collaboration ‘Julie, Madly, Deeply’ about the career of Julie Andrews has played a West End run, a UK tour, Australia, Canada and an Off Broadway run in 2019.

Paulus

Michael and Paulus are currently touring in 'Looking For Me Friend: The Music Of Victoria Wood', a celebration of the late, great comedian's songs and the duo's deep love of Victoria's work.

Dillie Keane

Their collaboration includes two UK tours in 2015 and '16; A six week Off Broadway run in 2016; Adelaide Cabaret Festival; Galle Literary Festival, Sri Lanka); With Sandi Toksvig, they co-wrote the titular song for the Women Of The World Southbank Festival 2016. Their DVD 'Hello Dillie' was filmed live at the Soho Theatre in 2017.

Jess Robinson

As musical director and composer for Jess, he has created two live shows for Edfringe and a UK tour. Many of his songs appear on her 2021 album 'Are You Ready?'. During lockdown they created the podcast 'Stars In Your Ears' which won a British Podcast Award in the Best Entertainment category, 2021. They have written feature songs for BBC Radio 4's The Now Show with Matt Crosby.

Dusty Limits

Michael has accompanied singer and lyricist Dusty Limits on a million gigs, many for the London based production, the Black Cat Cabaret. They co-wrote songs for several shows and he composed, arranged and co-produced two studio albums 'Grin' 2015 and 'Life & I' 2018. They received nominations for a TimeOut & Soho Theatre Cabaret Award and a Melbourne Green Room Award for Original Songwriting.  They wrote a short piece 'Crow' for Grimeborn operas Festival in 2010. ‘Roulston grasps the breadth and depth of the eloquent text, intelligent subtext, and biting social commentary of Limits’ lyrics, his music serving as creative amplification, bringing the energy of a live performance into the studio recording with layered textures of sound’. Cabaret Scenes.

Christine Bovill

He has enjoyed a long collaboration with lauded Chanson Française interpreter Christine Bovill in her shows ‘Piaf’, ‘Paris’ and 'Piaf to Pop' touring the UK, notably with runs at Wiltons Music Hall and the Famous Spiegel Tent at Edfringe. She been endorsed by Charles Du Monde, writer of “Je Ne Regrette Rien”, who came to perfrom with us at Edfringe in 2012. ‘The entire audience was on its feet, shouting, whistling, stamping its feet and smiling… Grown men wept’. Edinburghfestival.org.

Shoo Shoo Baby

He co-devised several touring shows with this musical close harmony cabaret act, including 'The Entire History of Cabaret' (Edfringe & UK tour) directed by Steve Marmion. “…not just a fine pianist but also the possessor of golden tonsils” The Scotsman.

Lili La Scala

Michael arranged and wrote songs for Lili's 2015 album 'Siren' which he also produced, co-arranged. ‘When you listen you’re hypnotised straight away. This album sends shivers down my spine. I have been completely swept away’ Kettlemag.co.uk

Valerie Cutko

With Valerie, Michael co-wrote her solo jazz musical 'Who Is Sinclair Nye?' which played at the Rosemary Branch in 2007. They also wrote a set of standalone cabaret songs released as the EP 'Between Us'.

Marcus Reeves

Michael arranged and recorded a 2010 studio album for Marcus' musical 'Postcards from God: The Sister Wendy Musical' and arranged and reocorded material for his 2013 solo album 'Quicksilver: The Masquerade Macabre'.

Other collaborators include: Meow Meow, David Mills, Ali McGregor, Chris Green, David Hoyle, Jonny Woo, Varla Jean Merman, Harold Sanditen, Fiona Coffey, Lynn Ruth Miller, Marcel Lucont, Laurie Hagen, Nathan Evans, Fancy Chance, Miss Polly Rae, Ophelia Bitz, Holly Penfield, Tricity Vogue, David Kent, Champagne Charlie & The Bubbly Boys.

His songs can be heard in venues such as Cafe De Paris, Soho Theatre, The London Spiegeltent, Double RR Club, The Famous Spiegel Tent, The Hippodrome, The Savoy, The Other Palace, The Pheasantry, The Crazy Coqs, The Vaults and various New York and Australian venues.