Post by Tanith Messenger on Nov 12, 2010 15:11:06 GMT
Interview: Keith Jack, actor, singer, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, PlayhousePremium Article !
Back in 2007, the young Edinburgher lost out to Lee Mead in a battle for the role of Joseph (in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) on TV reality show, Any Dream Will Do. Despite being the show's strongest singer, the judges believed Jack looked too young to play Joseph.
Three years on, he still looks like he's never shaved. However, his patience has been rewarded: next week he'll appear at the Playhouse wearing his 'coat of many colours' when Bill Kenwright's production of the hit Rice and Webber musical rolls into town for a week-long run.
As Jack says, now that he's finally got hold of the jacket, he's not about to let go of it. "Funnily enough, I keep thinking someone is about to take it off me," he laughs. "When I missed out first time round, I didn't think I'd ever get the chance to wear the coat, so I gave up on that dream. Then, one day, my agent called me at my London home and invited me into the office for a chat. I went in and he said 'Do you want to play Joseph?'. Three years on and I finally get the chance. It's amazing."
A dream come true indeed. So how did Jack feel adorning the famous coat for the first time? "It was weird," he says, looking back. "It didn't feel the same in rehearsals as it did the first time I went on stage wearing it. I had a lot of friends and family in that first night, and they gave me a massive whoop when I came on wearing it. I admit it got to me a little bit."
Born in the Capital, 22-year-old Jack went to school in Dalkeith, before going on to study musical theatre at Telford College. But it wasn't until shooting to fame on Any Dream Will Do that a mainstream audience discovered just how talented he really is.
The prodigal son returns to his home town next Tuesday evening, and as Jack says, he's looking forward to it - even if he is a wee bit nervous about it.
"I've been telling all the guys on tour how great, and how much fun, Edinburgh is on the run up to Christmas. I'm going to be the official travel guide and take them on the ghost tours. I get nervous before shows, but coming to Edinburgh? Well, it's probably the most nervous I've been on tour. To be honest, I'm looking forward to it, although I'm trying not to think about it at the same time."
Jack has barely stopped for a breath in the last three years. Having put out two albums, undertaken two concert tours, appeared at the Fringe and in pantos, the singing sensation has also performed for the Queen and appeared on a movie soundtrack. It comes as no surprise to learn he wants a holiday.
"It's been non-stop, it really has. But I love performing, I've loved every minute. I've not been on holiday in three years - on the last one, I went to the Dominican Republic - so I'd like to go somewhere very hot and very relaxing. Somewhere where I can come out of my hotel room and be right beside the pool or the beach. I'd like to go on safari, too."
With spare time at a minimum, Jack is off on his travels again - this time for an all important photo-shoot. Before he goes, though, there's just enough time to ask him about reality talent TV shows, pal John Barrowman, and what his favourite musical role would be.
"The BBC has done great for musical theatre. Ticket sales have risen, younger people are interested in theatre, and it's brought in a new audience - people who, perhaps, thought you had to turn up wearing a suit and tie. John Barrowman has been a big influence on my career, giving me advice when needed, and hopefully he'll be coming to see the show in Edinburgh. I'm playing Joseph well into next year, but if I could, I would love to play Marius from Les Miserables."
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Playhouse, Greenside Place,Tuesday - Sunday, 7.30pm (plus matinees), £18.25-£31.50, 0844-847-1660
12 November 2010
By BARRY GORDON
Keith Jack loves his new coat. And so he should. After all, it's only taken him three years to acquire it.
©2010 Johnston Press Digital Publishing
© news.scotsman.com
Back in 2007, the young Edinburgher lost out to Lee Mead in a battle for the role of Joseph (in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) on TV reality show, Any Dream Will Do. Despite being the show's strongest singer, the judges believed Jack looked too young to play Joseph.
Three years on, he still looks like he's never shaved. However, his patience has been rewarded: next week he'll appear at the Playhouse wearing his 'coat of many colours' when Bill Kenwright's production of the hit Rice and Webber musical rolls into town for a week-long run.
As Jack says, now that he's finally got hold of the jacket, he's not about to let go of it. "Funnily enough, I keep thinking someone is about to take it off me," he laughs. "When I missed out first time round, I didn't think I'd ever get the chance to wear the coat, so I gave up on that dream. Then, one day, my agent called me at my London home and invited me into the office for a chat. I went in and he said 'Do you want to play Joseph?'. Three years on and I finally get the chance. It's amazing."
A dream come true indeed. So how did Jack feel adorning the famous coat for the first time? "It was weird," he says, looking back. "It didn't feel the same in rehearsals as it did the first time I went on stage wearing it. I had a lot of friends and family in that first night, and they gave me a massive whoop when I came on wearing it. I admit it got to me a little bit."
Born in the Capital, 22-year-old Jack went to school in Dalkeith, before going on to study musical theatre at Telford College. But it wasn't until shooting to fame on Any Dream Will Do that a mainstream audience discovered just how talented he really is.
The prodigal son returns to his home town next Tuesday evening, and as Jack says, he's looking forward to it - even if he is a wee bit nervous about it.
"I've been telling all the guys on tour how great, and how much fun, Edinburgh is on the run up to Christmas. I'm going to be the official travel guide and take them on the ghost tours. I get nervous before shows, but coming to Edinburgh? Well, it's probably the most nervous I've been on tour. To be honest, I'm looking forward to it, although I'm trying not to think about it at the same time."
Jack has barely stopped for a breath in the last three years. Having put out two albums, undertaken two concert tours, appeared at the Fringe and in pantos, the singing sensation has also performed for the Queen and appeared on a movie soundtrack. It comes as no surprise to learn he wants a holiday.
"It's been non-stop, it really has. But I love performing, I've loved every minute. I've not been on holiday in three years - on the last one, I went to the Dominican Republic - so I'd like to go somewhere very hot and very relaxing. Somewhere where I can come out of my hotel room and be right beside the pool or the beach. I'd like to go on safari, too."
With spare time at a minimum, Jack is off on his travels again - this time for an all important photo-shoot. Before he goes, though, there's just enough time to ask him about reality talent TV shows, pal John Barrowman, and what his favourite musical role would be.
"The BBC has done great for musical theatre. Ticket sales have risen, younger people are interested in theatre, and it's brought in a new audience - people who, perhaps, thought you had to turn up wearing a suit and tie. John Barrowman has been a big influence on my career, giving me advice when needed, and hopefully he'll be coming to see the show in Edinburgh. I'm playing Joseph well into next year, but if I could, I would love to play Marius from Les Miserables."
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Playhouse, Greenside Place,Tuesday - Sunday, 7.30pm (plus matinees), £18.25-£31.50, 0844-847-1660
12 November 2010
By BARRY GORDON
Keith Jack loves his new coat. And so he should. After all, it's only taken him three years to acquire it.
©2010 Johnston Press Digital Publishing
© news.scotsman.com