“Go, go, go Joseph you know what they say/hang on now Joseph you’ll make it some day”, goes the Tim Rice lyric to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s insistent melody in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; but he’s not the only person aspiring to make it some day. As the set of reality TV series that saw Maria in The Sound of Music, the title role of Joseph and Danny and Sandy in Grease fade in the memory now, the finalists that featured in each series are spreading throughout the industry. [Continue by clicking below]
Just this week I saw Joseph finalist Daniel Boys (who came sixth in the TV competition) in the London premiere for the Off-Broadway musical I Love You Because at the tiny Landor in Clapham; tomorrow I’m seeing Maria runner-up Helena Blackman play Nellie Forbush in the touring South Pacific in Manchester; and I recently saw Grease finalist Bradley Clarkson in the Finborough’s When Midnight Strikes (which ends its run this weekend).
We’ve also currently got two of the finalists of the Maria and Joseph shows actually playing the parts they were up for in those shows: Aoife Mulholland is now the alternate Maria to winner Connie Fisher; while Craig Chalmers, who came fifth in the TV contest for Joseph, is now playing that role instead in Bill Kenwright’s touring production.
Meanwhile, Ben Ellis – fourth-placed in the Joseph competition – is about to make his West End debut in Hairspray.
The TV competitions are obviously a whole generation of performers a fast-track into the profession. But now that they’re at the vagaries of casting directors and other talent scouts, not the tastes of the viewing public, it will be interesting to watch where they go to. It’s one thing for TV to open the door to fifteen minutes of fame that theatre producers might want to opportunistically exploit; but the kind of career longevity that performers like Elaine Paige, Michael Ball, Sally-Ann Triplett, Jenna Russell, Daniel Evans and Anna-Jane Casey, to name just a small spread of some of the stalwarts of the business, might yet elude them.
I saw Craig in Joseph on Satruday & he was excellent. I've seen Joseph several times & he was one of the best, if not the best in the title role (tons better than Jason Donavon). His voice sounded beautiful in "Close every door" - had a real bell-like quality. His acting & comedy were excellent and he's very easy on the eye in a loin-cloth !
I certainly hope that I get the chance to see him in other productions in the future. His name on a poster would definitely be a draw as far as I'm concerend.
The production also featured Chris from ADWD as Benjamin (he plays Joseph at some performances) and one of the Grease finalists as Pharoh - both were good. Chris in an excellent dancer - something he never got the chance to show on TV.
The whole production was also extremely good with lots of new bits of business. Despite having seen 5 other productions & taken part in 2, I was rivited all the way through. I'd reccomend it to anyone.
Having seen Craig Chalmers in the touring version of Joseph last Friday, I know exactly why Bill Kenwright singled him out for the part. He was amazing ! His voice was just incredible - really rich and warm in tone, so pleasing to the ear, and he's a real powerhouse. When he belted out 'give me my coloured coat...' I was open-mouthed and loving every single note. What a voice ! He's improved dramatically since his appearances on Any Dream Will Do and I was close to tears when he performed 'Close Every Door' acted and sung to perfection with real, heartfelt despair. The whole show was superbly performed and if I didn't know better, I'd say this guy has been doing this kind of thing for years. He definitely deserved a helping hand from Bill, who surely knows how to spot genuine talent.
I hope Craig Chalmers will be around in MT for many years to come, and given the way he has taken this show to new heights and given three standing ovations from a very satisfied crowd, I'm sure he will be. This one's no flash in the pan - the audience just couldn't get enough and they will want more :)
I've seen lee in Joseph, he's pretty good, Craig and Chris(and a grease finalist) in mobile joseph, they're pretty good too. Just seen Ben in Hairspray and he's terrific. I hope theres a long term career for some of them, its not like they're untrained and untalented is it, they've had a lucky break, just as everyone in the industry wants.
Reading this piece, its clear that the TV audition process leaves a bad taste in the mouth of the writer. However, for the millions of viewers who follow these shows, suddenly they are able to see a little bit of what goes on inside the theatre industry and feel part of the process. The sheer joy of watching these talented young people perform and put themselves on the line on live TV, with no guarantees at the end of it, was must-watch TV. And as a bonus, it has brought a whole new audience to theatres - something to be applauded.
Do people really care how they got there, whether they have 'put in the right kind of time' on the way up? (I think this is a concern of a very small minority within the industry.) They may well now be at the mercy of casting directors, rather than TV audiences, bit its the public who buy tickets. Talent is talent and every major star on the West End stage and on TV must have started somewhere... and then got their lucky break.. and career longevity. It would kind of be hard to have that in your late teens and early twenties!!
Yes all of these actors have been given a very fast high profile although I wouldn't say it was an easy ride.as they had to audition weekly in front of millions of viewers and then crtiqued quite harshly. I can imagine many in the industry feel they haven't slogged hard and long enough. I don't believe Michael Ball and John Barrowman slogged away in the supporting cast for years? Both found fame quickly and at a young age because they had talent with a capitol T.
I have seen Lee in Joseph, Daniel in ILYB and Ben in hairspray and Chris Barton and Ben in a concert in Scarborough. All four are very talented and while I am not denying the fact they are where they are today because of the tv audition process surely that is a only a good thing for theatre audiences and revenues.
Perhaps, those who moan should audition for the next show? Anyone for My Fair Lady?
Let's not forget that it was the producers, talent coaches and industry professionals who shortlisted these groups of 'new', talented individuals to perform in front of the TV audiences. Whilst there were some who were completely new to the business, the majority had either been working in some form of the entertainment industry or had been studying theatre arts.
If the TV show publicity is correct, then these auditions were open to all - and the talented won through. Had they not been in possession of the natural talent for the show directors to improve upon, they would not have made it to the finals of the TV selection process.
It can be no bad thing for both West End and provincial theatres to be sold out due to increased interest in the productions which result from these shows. I have recently seen the West End production of Joseph and now remember why I love musicals. I had seen an earlier production, but this version had so much joy and energy that I would happily see it yet again. The anticipation in the audience could be clearly felt. They were not to be disappointed. Lee Mead, the winner of ADWD, shone in the title role. The talent of the rest of the cast was also evident and I will be keeping a look out for the next production that any of them may join, as an evening (or afternoon) of pure entertainment should be guaranteed, regardless of their path to public recognition.
Times change and we have many Hollywood actors leading West End productions. If TV selection is the route for our homegrown talent to grab a chance of audience drawing stardom, then so be it. I have every faith that the TV judges know just what they are about and we can look forward to following the ascending stars of these young professionals for many years to come.
I struggle to see why it should be a problem how these young people come to be where they are provided they are proving themselves in their respective roles. From what I have seen of the touring Joseph production both Craig Chalmers and Chris Barton are doing a fantastic job, playing to sell out audiences to rapturous applause. If they weren't more than up to the task surely news would have got out by now.
At the end of the day we'll have to wait and see where they all are in a few years time and yes, I imagine some of the finalists might well sink back into obscurity, but if the talent shown by these two young men is anything to go by they should have long, successful careers ahead of them.
just taken my 5yr old daughter to see touring joseph. she loved it that much we went again the following day. what a fantastic cast. keith jack was outstanding as the narrator, we was lucky enough to meet him after the` show and he really is a nice guy. I wish them all a long and successful career