|
|
Post by Tanith Messenger on Jun 4, 2007 21:29:56 GMT
Easier Lifestyle - www.easier.comGrease Isn’t The Word - Joseph Sales Outstrip By 9 To 1 25 May 2007 Any Dream Will Do is not only pipping Grease is the Word in the ratings war – Joseph CDs and DVDs have also been flying off the virtual shelves of Amazon.co.uk, giving a clear indication as to where the public’s support lies, with sales of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat products up to 9 times greater than those related to Grease. As the contestants on these two shows battle it out to realise their dreams on the West End stage, Joseph appears to be the undisputed heavyweight contender where sales are concerned. The film version of Joseph, starring Joan Collins, Donny Osmond and Christopher Biggins, has been outselling John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John's cult-classic Grease by 8 to 1. It's not just onscreen where Jacob's favourite son is trouncing Danny & Sandy. The combined sales of Joseph CD soundtracks and cast recordings on Amazon.co.uk have surpassed those of Grease nine times over. The prime time talent search shows have been pitted head-to-head since the beginning of April. Since the show’s launch, Joseph CDs have seen a whopping 800% sales increase; by contrast, after an uplift in sales at the end of April, sales of Grease CDs have since been in decline. “While both shows’ primetime Saturday night slots and reality TV formats have reignited the public’s love for musicals, sales show that Joseph is undeniably the British public’s musical sing-a-long show. " said Rakhi Parekh, Director of DVD and Music at Amazon.co.uk . "Despite the cult status of Grease and its unforgettable characters, it appears that Grease is not the word after all.” |
|
|
|
Post by Tanith Messenger on Jun 4, 2007 21:49:29 GMT
Actor Billy Masters says:
'I've got a secret. No, I'm not channeling Betsy Palmer — or even Anne Francis. I have always wanted to play the lead in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I've also always wanted to play the lead in Evita. But, while I may be slightly old for Joseph (although that didn't stopped many of my colleagues), I'm decidedly wrong for Evita (although that didn't stop Madonna). Perhaps someone out there is putting on a production and would like to cast me. It doesn't have to be a big deal — maybe a church, a high school gymnasium, a shopping mall. I'm not picky.
The reason for my renewed Joseph fervor is because I'm hooked on yet another one of those British talent shows that I love so much. This one is to find a suitable Joseph to head a West End revival. Any Dream Will Do is hosted by Graham Norton, judged by Lord Andrew Lloyd Weber, has a panel that includes John Barrowman, and has cute contestants — what's not to like? It's fascinating to watch Barrowman turn into a "Daddy" before my very eyes — he actually called one of the contestants "Son". Like sands through the hourglass.'
|
|
|
|
Post by Tanith Messenger on Jun 5, 2007 19:08:24 GMT
www.digitalspy.co.ukJosephs record Children in Need single Monday, June 4 2007, 12:35 BST By Nick Levine, Entertainment Reporter The winner of Any Dream Will Do will also be the star of this year's BBC Children in Need single. The three remaining hopefuls - Keith Jack, Lewis Bradley and Lee Mead - have each recorded a version of 'Any Dream Will Do', the much-loved song from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat that became a number one hit for Jason Donovan in 1991. The winner's version will be released as a double A-side single alongside an ensemble performance of 'Close Every Door', the TV talent hunt's exit number. The single will be available as a download from June 12 and in the shops from June 19.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tanith Messenger on Jun 5, 2007 19:52:25 GMT
Any Dream Will Do News 05 June 2007 Pudsey Recruits Josephs Joseph finalists head to recording studio for BBC Children in Need. When the public picks their Joseph next Saturday they will also be deciding the star of the next BBC Children in Need single. The three finalists – Keith, Lewis and Lee – have been to the recording studio and the resulting double A-side single will feature two songs - Any Dream Will Do, by the series winner, and an ensemble performance of the heart-wrenching and now familiar exit number, Close Every Door. Whilst there can only be one Joseph and star of the West End show, the recording session will provide a memorable experience for the runners-up and a fantastic opportunity to raise funds to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. The single will be available as a download from Tuesday 12th June, in the shops from Monday 19th June, and every single copy sold will help BBC Children in Need top last year's total of £32 million. ©copyright www.bbc.co.uk/joseph |
|
|
|
Post by chestwig on Jun 6, 2007 23:01:40 GMT
This is gonna be really wierd hearing a new version of ADWD, not sure that I like the idea as Jason did it so well years ago. Mind you for a good cause so its good I spose (still not convinced thou)
kelxx
|
|
|
|
Post by Lynda on Jun 7, 2007 9:12:23 GMT
I preferred Richard Swerruns version.
However, I am really looking forward to hearing the new take.
L x
|
|
|
|
Post by Tanith Messenger on Jun 7, 2007 9:21:54 GMT
www.thisisthenortheast.co.ukLewis is hoping to see an amazing dream come true Comment Lewis Bradley's mother, Aranka, puts up a poster in the window of their home YOUNG singing sensation Lewis Bradley celebrated his 18th birthday yesterday and quite literally had the celebrity world at his feet. For the teenager, who is in the final of BBC1's search for a new star Any Dream Will Do on Saturday, celebrated his coming of age in Majorca with none other than theatre legend Andrew Lloyd Webber. The first prize is the lead role in a West End stage production of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Lewis, from Nunthorpe in Middlesbrough, spoke exclusively to The Northern Echo from Spain, where he is enjoying two days' relaxation during rehearsals. One of only three contestants left in the TV show, he said making it so far in the competition had been a dream come true. "Rehearsals are going really, really well, " he said. advertisement"I'm in Majorca at the moment and it's lovely. If someone had told me in January I would be here with these people, I would have said 'as if'. "I'm just really looking forward to the final. I don't feel as though I have ever completed anything in my life before - but I have this time - it's great." Lewis, who attended Nun-thorpe School until he was 13, when he won a place at the Italia Conti Stage School, in London, said he was excited about the future. "It's such a big achievement for me. I stand just as much chance as anybody else at winning, but, if I don't win, hopefully something else will come out of it. "I know the support from home has been amazing and I'm really grateful. I wish I could see it for myself." Lewis' mother, Aranka Bradley, 43, his brother Niall Bradley, 20, and sister Amelia Oliver, 12, have been travelling to London to see him perform, along with his grandparents, Jean and Bela Szili, and his mother's partner, Barry Oliver. Mrs Bradley said they were all thrilled for Lewis, but believed regardless of the outcome on Saturday, her son was already a winner for making it into the final. "I always knew Lewis was going to make it one day," said Mrs Bradley. He started singing and dancing at the age of four, so his nanna paid for him to go to classes and, since then, it is all he wanted to do. "When Lewis was at school here, he was beaten up and bullied because he was into dancing, but look where he is now. "It never stopped him, and he says it made him who he is today. "We are a normal family and Lewis does not come from a money family, so it hasn't been easy, but we are all so very proud of him. "No matter what happens on Saturday, I don't think life is ever going to be the same again for him." BBC1's Any Dream Will Do begins at 8.05pm on Saturday. 6:03am Wednesday 6th June 2007
|
|
|
|
Post by Lynda on Jun 7, 2007 9:26:13 GMT
Hope the other two are there as well as the winner, will need a break before the 4 week rehearsals and 6 months stint.
|
|
|
|
Post by chestwig on Jun 7, 2007 9:53:36 GMT
I preferred Richard Swerruns version. However, I am really looking forward to hearing the new take. L x Must say never heard Richards version... kelxx |
|
|
|
Post by Tanith Messenger on Jun 9, 2007 13:00:56 GMT
www.contactmusic.comLEE MEAD FAVOURITE FOR JOSEPH CROWN West End understudy Lee Mead is the short-priced favourite to win the role of Joseph on the BBC programme Any Dream Will Do. The hit BBC show reaches its climax on Saturday as the three remaining Josephs compete for the public vote - which will decide the ultimate winner as Andrew Lloyd Webber can no longer intervene at this stage. According to Sky Bet, the odds for the composer to cry at some point during the show are 16/1, while the odds are even shorter for all three finalists to cry at 3/1. A few Josephs have let the odd tear slip since the live shows began eight weeks ago, notably finalist Lewis who hasn't been shy to show his emotion at times. Ben was the last contender to leave the show, when Lloyd Webber chose to save Lewis in the final sing-off of the series. The eventual winner will take on the role of Joseph in Lloyd's Webber's latest production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The show has built on the success of the BBC's previous West End casting effort, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? ITV's Grease is the Word also comes to an end this weekend which will cast the couple who will play Danny and Sandy in the forthcoming production of Grease. 08/06/2007 16:14:07
|
|
|
|
Post by Lynda on Jun 9, 2007 14:16:51 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2007 18:23:43 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Tanith Messenger on Jun 9, 2007 23:36:07 GMT
www.thesun.co.uk Lee Mead ... Joseph dream came true Dream comes true for Lee By Derek Robins June 09, 2007 COMMENT ON THIS STORY THE Joseph dream has come true for Lee Mead as he sang his way to victory in the BBC1 reality show. Throughout Any Dream With Do, the curly-haired 25-year-old from Southend was always rated ahead of rival finalists Keith Jack, 19, and Lewis Bradley, 17, because of his showbiz experience. After winning a tearful Lee said: "My support has grown every week. "I would like to thank everyone very much. I am going to go out there and give you a great show - so come along and see it." The former Kentucky Fried Chicken worker has already appeared professionally in the musicals Miss Saigon, Tommy and The Phantom Of The Opera and a video with Geri Halliwell. He was clear favourite with viewers, the bookies and the judging panel of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Denise Van Outen, Bill Kenwright, John Barrowman and Zoe Tyler. During the nail-biting finale Lee had the audience on their feet with his rendition of the Rolling Stones' Paint It Black. Andrew praised Lee's achievement. He said: "This guy has never appeared in a lead role before and we shouldn't under-estimate how far he has come." More than 3m people phoned in to vote in the final of the popular BBC series, raising over £0.5m in aid of Children in Need. Lee will now get a few days off before beginning rehearsals for Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which previews from July 17 at London’s Adelphi Theatre. Thousands of young men from all over Britain attended the initial auditions for the show before they were whittled down to the 12 who appeared in the series, which began in April.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tanith Messenger on Jun 10, 2007 9:34:31 GMT
10 June 2007 DREAM COME TRUE Trio's delight as they land Saturday night talent show spectaculars Lee weeps tears of joy as he wins Joseph and West End megadeal By Julian Gavaghan JUBILANT Joseph contestant Lee Mead shed tears of joy last night as he sensationally won the final of Any Dream Will Do. Talented Lee, 25, beat off rivals Lewis Bradley, 17, and 19-year-old Keith Jack in the BBC1 reality show. The bookies' favourite claimed the coveted West End lead role in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat following a nail-biting public vote. Curly-haired Lee - 1-4 on to win the hit show - will now step onto the Adelphi stage to play the part for the first time on July 17. When announcing the result, telly host Graham Norton said: "Call off the search - we've found a new Joseph!" Emotional Lee told the audience: "Support has grown every week and I want to thank everybody so much. "And for thosewho didn't vote for meI'm going to go out there and give you all one hell of a show." Show creator Andrew Lloyd Webber said: "I'm just very, very happy." Referring to Lee's previous theatre experience, he added: "Just remember, everybody thought he was a pro, but he was just an understudy. "He had never performed in front of an audience. This is an amazing achievement." Fellow contender Keith was too distraught to speak, but he gave Lee a hug following their tense sing-off. Earlier in the night the other contender, Lewis, became the first finalist to be kicked off after receiving the least votes. The teenager - the youngest of the three wannabes - shed tears, but was told by Lloyd Webber: "Don't worry, you will be a star. You will be in the West End." Lewis said: "It has been an amazing experience." As for triumphant Lee, he promised to take his girlfriend Kerry on a sizzling Caribbean hol if he won. The nookie-starved singer from Southend, Essex, said before last night's final: "I've coped without sex in the Joseph mansion - I've just gone for lots of jogs." Lee became favourite to win after wowing the judges with his live performances and because of his previous, though limited, theatre experience. He has also understudied in the Phantom of the Opera, Tommy and Miss Saigon musicals. And he once appeared as a dancer in Geri Halliwell's video for It's Raining Men. But now he has hit the big time and is expected to rake in thousands of pounds in a glittering career. He is set to release a single of the song Any Dream Will Do for charity Children in Need. Beaten rivals Lewis, a drama student, and ex-Tesco worker Keith also recorded the number - just in case they won. However, all three will feature on the other track of the double A-side single, Close Every Door. The single will be available to download from June 12 and in shops from June 19. Despite the shared tears and hugs last night, the three Joseph rivals had a string of backstage bust-ups leading up to the final. Tensions between Lee, Lewis and Keith boiled over as each clung to their own dream of stardom. Cracks in their relationship first began to appear as long as a month agowhen the lads first started hurling pregnant dogy insults at each other. But last week Keith trawled through internet forums for unflattering comments about the other lads. A source said: "Keith would look for the most negative comments he could find on messages boards - and then read them out. "He made out it was just a bit of a joke but there was obviously more to it. It was all about winding the other lads up and making them doubt themselves." Our insider revealed: "There was always a competitive element to Joseph. But last week things really became a bit too overheated. "Keith seemed to take great delight in seeing put-downs of other contestants on internet message boards."But both Lee and Lewis were also getting increasingly shirty. "There were a couple of incidents in rehearsals where words were exchanged between the lads. "It was more like a scene from Big Brother at rehearsals. But that's only to be expected with so much at stake." In the end, though, there could only be one winner - and it was Lee. www.people.co.uk |
|
|
|
Post by alison on Jun 10, 2007 9:40:44 GMT
"He had never performed in front of an audience. This is an amazing achievement."
Well, that's a misquote if ever I read one. Um, Mr People reporter, just how do you think Lee understudied leads in two different shows without ever performing in front of an audience. Get your facts right.
Actually, if we're being strictly honest, Andrew was also wrong, if I remember rightly. I think the real quote was something about he'd never performed before 3000 people before. Well, the Playhouse in Edinburgh - where Lee performed in Miss Saigon, although I don't know for sure whether he went on as Chris while it was here or not - seats around 3049.
|
|
