www.thisislocallondon.co.ukJoseph and the star-studded after party
By Kerry Ann Eustice
Comment
Craig Chalmers, Zoe Tyler and Bill Kenwright
A NUMBER of high-profile faces were spotted at The Churchill Theatre last night for Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat, starring Any Dream Will Do contestant Craig Chalmers.
Theatre producer, director and Any Dream Will Do judge Bill Kenwright, fellow judge and vocal coach Zoe Tyler and Michael Barrymore joined the cast, crew and members of Craig's family at an after-show party at the Bromley venue.
Any Dream Will Do winner Lea Mead did not attend, due to his own Joseph commitments in the West End, but did see the matinee performance earlier in the day.
We caught hold of Michael Barrymore in the interval to see if he was enjoying the show.
"I came because I'm a friend of Bill's and a fan of the show," he said. "I told Craig to look up and think of someone he loves who's not with him anymore, like his granddad."
Michael was impressed with how "true to the story" this version was, the humour and the pace of the first act. "It flew by," he said.
advertisement"It's lovely to be back in Bromley," he added. "I grew up in the south. I might do a bit of shopping."
Bill Kenwright said he was proud of Craig and his performance and said he knew he'd picked the right Joseph for his show.
The Churchill's chief executive Derek Nicholls and Michael Barrymore
"There's a real truth to him," Kenwright said to explain what he saw in Craig who came fifth on the BBC show. "And Joseph has to have a vulnerability, which he has.
"I just love Craig and money can't buy what he has."
The audience were just as impressed and Craig was clearly moved by the standing ovation he received. Close to tears, he addressed the audience at the end of the show to thank them for making "his dream come true" and at the after-show party he admitted he'd found the performance to be "very emotional".
Zoe Tyler, the judge on Any Dream Will Do, who wasn't worried about hurting anyone's feelings when it came to criticism, was also at the show. This time she was much more impressed with Craig's performance.
"He did a really good job," she said. "I'm proud of him. He must be exhausted now. By the end I was like, please don't make him sing that song again'. I can't help but be a vocal coach so I look at every single note."
Zoe says Craig did well to remember breathing techniques and how to reject his old cabaret style, which she taught him, and feels he has come a long way since the show.
"Out of all the Josephs, Craig was the hardest working. Now he needs to relax and learn what it's like to be on stage."
Craig was not the only cast member from a TV talent search. Wayne Smith, who gave a charismatic performance as Pharaoh, said it was strange coming from the rival show, Grease is the Word.
"It's really weird as the two shows were rivals but now the competition is over there's everything to go for. I'm ready to leave Grease behind."
Like Craig, this is Wayne's first stage role. He previously worked as a cabaret performer and he says it wouldn't have happened without the support of Bill Kenwright.
"Bill takes chances on people like me," he said. "It's better for us because we are keen to prove ourselves and do a good job. Craig's so good. He's really settled into the role now. The first couple of performances were a little ropey but now he's comfortable, it has melted down to the rest of the cast too."
Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat. The Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley, until August 25. Box office 0870 060 6620.
3:57pm Wednesday 22nd August 2007
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