BBC Any Dream Will Do
Antony - Ben - Chris B - Chris C - Craig - Daniel - Johndeep - Keith - Lee - Lewis - Robert - Seamus
Andrew Lloyd Webber is producing a major new production of the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in London the Adelphi Theatre from 6 July 2007 and the lead role of 'Joseph' was cast using the Saturday night television series, Any Dream Will Do which is was broadcast on Saturday evenings on BBC 1 from 7 April to the final on 9 June 2007 - when the winner was announced, live on television. The hope is that a new musical theatre star will be discovered!
Congratulations Lee Mead - you are Joseph!
Andrew Lloyd Webber said: "The audience have their favourites but I'm looking for someone with star quality, real charisma, to hold that show in what is a really complex character. The contest will be very, very open. I want as diverse a mix on stage as possible. Because so many people have sung Joseph at school, everybody will have an opinion on who they think makes a great Joseph, which makes the competition, very, very exciting."
Any Dream Will Do...
Saturday 9 June 2007: THE GRAND FINAL Three Joseph finalists remain - Keith Jack, Lee Mead and Lewis Bradley - but only one will win the coveted lead role of 'Joseph' in the London West End production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The Adelphi Theatre from 7 July 2007 - who will it be?? Tonight's programme started with all the Joseph finalists from the series joining together in an ensemble version of 'Go Go Go Joseph'. Then each of the three remaining finalists sung two solo songs each, first they all sung a song that they thought best showed of their talents then secondly they each sung a 'big band' number with the live orchestra in the studio. This was followed all three giving an ensemble rendition of 'Maria' from the musical West Side Story. Then this week's special guest was introduced - Connie Fisher! Connie was choosen last year by the television viewing public to play the lead role of 'Maria' in the musical The Sound of Music, and she sung the title song from that musical. Graham Norton then announced that the first of tonight's remaining 'Joseph' finalists to be knocked out was Lewis, therefore Lewis concluded the first of tonight's two programmes by singing the song 'Close Every Door' along with the remaining two 'Joseph' hopefuls. The second of tonight's programme started with two 'encore' solo performances - Keith Jack and Lee Mead each sung their favourite song from the series. Afterwards the former Joseph hopefuls, including Lewis, gave a spirited ensemble rendition of 'The Boys Are Back in Town', before Keith and Lee, for the last time, sung together a joint rendition of Jesus Christ Superstar. Graham Norton then announced that three million votes had been cast in tonight's Grand Final - the Joseph that the viewers had votes for was.... Lee Mead! Congratulation Lee The programme then concluded with Lee performing 'Any Dream Will Do' from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Saturday 2 June 2007: The Semi Finals of the Any Dream Will Do competition. The show opens with all four remaining Joseph hopefuls performing a medly from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The Keith Jack and Ben Ellis each sing their solo songs before joining together in a joint rendition of the song 'Only You' from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Starlight Express. Afterwards Lewis Bradley and Lee Mead both sing their solo songs before joining together on stage to sing a joint rendition of 'Oh What A Circus/High Flying Adored' from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita. Prior to the public voting lines being closed all four finalists performed an ensemble version of the Queen/David Bowie song 'Under Pressure'. Once the public telephone voting lines had been closed, Graham Norton asked the Judging Panel who they thought, based on tonight's performances, was not Joseph - Zoe Tyler and Bill Kenwright both said Ben Ellis, while Denise Van Outen and John Barrowman both said Lewis Bradley. Graham then announced the two finalists with the lowest public votes where Ben and Lewis - with Ben securing the least votes. Therefore Ben and Lewis had to face Andrew Lloyd Webber in the nail biting sing-off, both of them for the third time! The song choosen this week was 'I Dreamed A Dream' from the musical Les Miserables. Who would Andrew Lloyd Webber save? After their joint rendition of the song Andrew said "I have to go with where the musical theatre has to go... It's a really, really difficult decision. Lewis." Therefore Lewis was saved while Ben was knocked out of the show and had to say good-bye, concluding the programme by singing the song 'Close Every Door' along with the remaining three Joseph hopefuls who go forward to next week's final. Ben said after: "I'm obviously disappointed that I didn't quite make it to the final, but I kept fighting. All the lads still in there are amazing and I wish them the best of luck."
26 May 2007: Only five Joseph finalists are now left in the Any Dream Will Do competition now - but by the end of this week's programme only four will be left! The individual songs this week had the theme of the five emotions that Joseph goes through in the musical, namely Dreaming which featured Lee singing 'Daydream Believer'; Vulnerability which saw Ben singing 'Crying'; Betrayal with Craig singing 'Suspicious Minds'; Courage with Lewis singing 'Hero'; and Arrogance which had Keith singing 'Let Me Entertain You'. After each had sung their solo number they then joined each together on stage with a group performance of The Contours' song 'Do You Love Me?' The later Results programme has the five remaining Joseph hopefuls give another group performance, this time the Steppenwolf song 'Born To Be Wild'. Next the evening's special guest Josh Groban was introduced and it was announced that he had selected to perform a duet with Lee while the other four Joseph hopefuls all performed as backing singers. Graham Norton then asked the Judges, based on this evening's performances, who they thought wasn't Joseph, Zoe Tyler and Bill Kenwright both say Ben Ellis while Denise van Outen and John Barrowman both say Lewis Bradley. Graham Norton then announced the votes that really count - the public telephone votes: Ben Ellis had come bottom while Craig Chalmers had come second from bottom. Thus Ben and Craig had to perform in the sing-off which this week was the Barry Manilow song 'Through The Rain' - afterwards Andrew Lloyd Webber said that he wanted to save Ben, thus Craig had to say good-bye and he concluded the programme by singing the song 'Close Every Door' along with the remaining four Josephs hopefuls. Craig said: "I'm a totally different performer, and I've got you guys to thank. I'm so happy to have made the last five."
Saturday 19 May 2007: This was the sixth Any Dream Will Do knock-out show. This week the television programme opened with an ensemble version of the song 'Go, Go, Go, Joseph' from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Then the first three Joseph finalists Keith, Lewis and Ben each sung their solo songs before all three returned to the stage to sing a group rendition of the Frank Sinatra song 'That's Life'. Then the remaining three Joseph finalists Craig, Daniel amd Lee each sung their solo songs before all three returned to the stage to sing a group rendition of the Barbra Streisand song 'Don't Rain On My Parade'. All six fianlists also sung a group rendition of The Beatles song 'She Loves You'. Graham Norton ashed the Judges who they thought, based on tonight's performances, should not be Joseph - Zoe Tyler and John Barrowman said Lewis, Denise van Outen said Craig while Bill Kenwright said Keith. But when Graham Norton announced the results of the all important public votes it was revealed that Daniel Boys had secured the least number of votes along with Lewis Bradley who had the second lowest number of votes. So both had to face the dreaded sing-off in front of Andrew Lloyd Webber. The song this week was 'Bring Him Home' from the musical Les Miserables. After they had sung a joint rendition of the song Andrew said that he wanted to save Lewis. Thus Daniel had to say good-bye and he concluded the programme by singing the song 'Close Every Door' along with the remaining five Josephs hopefuls. Afterwards Daniel said: "This has been the most amazing experience of my life, I still can't believe I've sung in front of Andrew Lloyd Webber and six million people."
Saturday 12 May 2007: This was the fifth Any Dream Will Do knock-out show. The television programme opened with the seven remaining Joseph hopefuls singing an ensemble version of the song 'One More Angel In Heaven' from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Then each of the Joseph finalists sung their solo song and the judges made brief comments. Then the Joseph hopefuls sung an ensemble version of The Kinks number 'You really Got Me'. Graham Norton asked the Judges who they thought, based on tonight's performances, should not be Joseph - John Barrowman, Denise van Denise and Bill Kenwright all said Robert McVeigh while Zoe Tyler said Daniel Boys. Once the public telephone votes had been added up, it was announced that the Joseph hopeful with the least number of votes of Robert McVeigh while Lewis Bradley had the second lowest number of votes. Therefore these two had to face the nail-biting sing-off in front of Andrew Lloyd Webber - the first time for both of them. The song this week was 'Tell Me It Is Not True' from Willy Russell's musical Blood Brothers. After they had sung a joint rendition of the song Andrew said that he wanted to save Lewis. Thus Rob had to say good-bye and he concluded the programme by singing the song 'Close Every Door' along with the remaining six Josephs hopefuls. Afterwards Rob said: "To be honest I'm shocked I got this far, I know I've got a long way to go but I'm going out with my head held high, its been amazing."
Saturday 5 May 2007: This week, the fourth 'knock-out' programme, the show opened with an ensemble rendition of the song 'Pharoah's Song' from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Afterwards each of the eight remaining Joseph hopefuls sung their solo song and the judges made their brief comments. The Joseph finalists also sung an ensemble version of the Meat Loaf song 'Dead Ringer For Love'. Graham Norton ashed the Judges who they thought, based on tonight's performances, should be Joseph - Zoe Tyler said Lee, Bill Kenwright and Denise van Denise both say Rob while John Barrowman says Lewis. But when Graham Norton announced the results of the all important public votes it was revealed that Chris Barton had secured the least number of votes along with Craig Chalmers who had the second lowest number of votes. So both had to face the dreaded sing-off in front of Andrew Lloyd Webber for the second time in the series. The song choosen this week was The Beatles song 'The Long And Winding Road'. After they had sung a joint rendition of the song Andrew told Chris "I don't think a West End audience would ever have the confidence to see you in performance," so Andrew announced that he wanted to save Craig. Thus Chris had to say good-bye and he concluded the programme by singing the song 'Close Every Door' along with the remaining seven Josephs hopefuls. Afterwards Chris said: "I'm obviously very disappointed, after getting a taste of being on stage I don't want to go back to my old life. I can't thank Andrew and the panel enough for this experience."
Saturday 28 April 2007: This week two Joseph hopefuls where knocked-out. As soon as the television show started, the telephone voting lines opened for people to vote for the first Joseph eviction. The show opened with an ensemble rendition of 'Go, Go, Go Joseph' from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Afterwards each of the 10 remaining Joseph hopefuls sung their solo song and the judges made their brief comments. The Joseph finalists then sung an ensemble version of Elton John song 'I'm Still Standing'. Graham Norton ashed the Judges who they thought, based on tonight's performances, should be Joseph - Zoe Tyler said Keith, Bill Kenwright said Lee and both Denise van Outen and John Barrowman said that Daniel should be Joseph. Then Graham announced the results of the first public vote - the Joseph hopeful with the lowest number of votes was Craig Chalmers, followed by Antony Hansen with the second least amount of votes. So they had to perform in the sing-off in front of Andrew Lloyd Webber. This week the song was Bryan Adams' 'Everything I Do'. Andrew Lloyd Webber then had to save one - he said: "This is so difficult, I was looking at my panel because they were both great performances, but I think tonight, just on balance, I'm going save... Craig." Thus Antony had to say goodbye - and sung 'Close Every Door' along with the 9 remaining Josephs at the close of the first programme. Afterwards Antony Hansen said: "I knew tonight that I wasn't on form - and that the other guys were. I'm a better performer for just being in this competition, though, and I'd urge everyone who has a dream to perform to go out on a limb and have a go." The second programme of the evening opened with an ensemble rendition of the Queen classic 'One Vision'. Before announcing the results of the second of the night's public votes Graham asked the panel of Judges who they thought, based on tonight's performances, should not be Joseph - Zoe Tyler said Craig, Bill Kenwright and John Barrowman said Rob while Denise said Chris. Then the results of the second of the evening's voting was announced - Seamus Cullen had the lowest number of votes while Ben Ellis had the second lowest, so these two had to do the nail-biting 'sing-off' when Andrew Lloyd Webber could only save one. This time the sing-off song was The Hollies classic 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother'. Andrew Lloyd Webber then had to choose just one to save, he said: "The plot thickens - what an extraordinary sing-off, I asked for emotion and I got it. But tonight, and at the end of the day, I'm going to save... Ben." which meant that Seamus had to say 'good-bye' - and concluded the television programme by singing 'Close Every Door' along with the 8 remaining Josephs hopefuls. Seamus Cullen said afterwards: "I am shocked - I thought I did enough on the individual and group songs but Ben put in a fantastic performance - the performance of his life, so hats off to him." Tonight's first Any Dream Will Do programme at 7.30pm was watched by an average of some 5.5 million people representing an audience share of 29.1%, and an increase of 200,000 viewers from last week. The second programme at 9.45pm registered an average of 5.3 million viewers, a 24% audience share. This compares with average 3.6 million people who watched Grease is the Word in ITV at 7.30pm representing an 18.3% audience share and a drop of 700,000 viewers from the previous week. The second programme broadcast at 10.00pm was watched by an average of just 2.6 million people, a 12.2% audience share.
Saturday 21 April 2007: This week, the second 'knock-out' programme, the challenge for the Joseph hopefuls was acting. Andrew said that "we really have to see now if the kids can come forward a whole big notch this week. The endgame in the end is not just singing, it's delivering a performance on a West End stage where we really believe in the character. So I am going to be looking tonight at the work I've done this last week with all the boys and see whether they've remembered it, whether they have built on it, and how we are going to go from here." The show opened with an ensemble rendition of 'Joseph's Coat' from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Afterwards each of the 11 remaining Joseph hopefuls sung their solo song and the judges made their brief comments afterwhich the public voted. When the public voting finished Graham Norton asked each of the four Judges in turn who they thought, based on tonight's performance, should go. Denise and Zoe both said Ben while John and Bill both said Johndeep. After the finalists sung an ensemble version of 'Pinball Wizard' from the musical Tommy, Graham Norton revealed that the finalist with the lowest number of public votes was Chris while the second lowest was Johndeep - therefore they had to face each other in the dreaded 'sing-off' which this week was the Beatles classic 'Let It Be' - who would Andrew Lloyd Webber choose to save? Andrew said afterwards: "This is not the right result tonight. This puts me in a very difficult position because both of you really should be with us. I suppose I've got to think who in the end is likiest to play Joseph. So in the end, I'll save Chris." Thus Johndeep had to say goodbye - and in conclusion he sung 'Close Every Door' along with the 10 remaining Josephs. After the show, Johndeep said: "It's been a rollercoaster ride, but the experience I've had has boosted my confidence in my ability to perform, and made me even more determined to make it."
Saturday 14 April 2007: This week was the first 'knock-out' show at the end of which one of the Joseph hopefuls would have to say goodbye. The show opened with all 12 Joseph finalists singing an ensemble version of 'Any Dream Will Do' from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. After each Joseph hopeful had sung their song, Graham asked each of the four Judges to reveal who they thought, honestly, should go - Zoe Tyler said Antony Hansen, Bill Kenwright said Chris Crosby and Denis van Outen and John Barrowman both said Craig Chalmers. The 12 finalists then sung an ensemble version of 'Luck Ba A Lady' from the musical Guys and Dolls while the votes that really mattered - the public's votes - where all counted and added up. It was then revealed that Chris had come bottom and Ben had come second bottom. They then had to sing for survival with a joint rendition of Simon and Garfunkel's song 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. Afterwards Andrew Lloyd Webber had to choose which Joseph to save: "It's a horrible situation as the standard is so high this year, but I'm going to save Ben." Thus Chris C had to say goodbye - in conclusion he sung 'Close Every Door' along with the 11 remaining Josephs. After the show, Chris Crosby said: "It's been an amazing experience - I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to work with such talented people. I can't express how much I've learnt." This programme was watched by an average audience of 6.1 million viewers, representing an average audience share of 29.0%. This compares with an average audience of 4.3 million viewers for the second Grease is the Word programme, which represented an audience share of 25.0% at it's earlier broadcast time.
Saturday 7 April 2007: The second programme dealt with 'Joseph School' and the selection of the final 12 Joseph finalists following the concert at the Abymill Theatre, Ireland, in the village where Andrew has a castle retreat. This programme was watched by an average audience of 5.9 million with an average audience share of 29.8%. This evening also saw the first Grease is the Word television programme broadcast, which attracted an average audience of 4.0 million viewers representing a 26.2% share of the audience at it's earlier broadcast time.
Saturday 31 March 2007: The first episode of Any Dream Will Do focused on the preliminary auditions when 50 Joseph hopefuls where selected to go to 'Joseph School' to get specialised training. This first programme was watched by an average audience of 6.7 million, and an average audience share of 30.8%, peaking at 7.3 million viewers.
The story so far...
Open Auditions: Thousands of hopefuls auditioned in Cardiff, Glasgow, Belfast, Manchester and London when they had to sing two contrasting songs to show off their vocal range in front of a casting agent. Out of the thousands that auditioned, only 100 where selected to come back to a second 'call back' audition held in London.
Down to 100: This time the Joesph hopefuls have to audition in front of the Any Dream Will Do Judging Panel - Denise Van Outen, John Barrowman, Bill Kenwright and Zoe Tyler - the judges need select just 50 Joseph hopefuls who will then go the 'Joseph School'.
Joseph School: The final 50 Joseph hopefuls will then go to 'Joseph School' - this school will provide them with intensive training with specialist teachers who will focus on various aspects of performing including vocals, acting and choreography. This is especially important so that the Judging Panel can see who will be able to have the vocal abd physical stamina to perform a demanding West End starring role week-in week-out. The Joseph School will culminate in a live perform at Andrew's castle retreat in Ireland in front of friends, family and local people. Only 12 Joseph hopefuls will be selected to go on to feature in the knock stages of the BBC television programme Any Dream Will Do, when the viewing public will be able to decide which of the 12 finalists will make all the way through, and star on the West End stage in the title role of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in London the Adelphi Theatre from July 2007!
The Any Dream Will Do Judging Panel:
Alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber there will be four Judges giving the Joseph finalists advice abd helping the audience choose who should play the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat:
Denise Van Outen: Well known to television audiences through her work firstly on Channel 4's Big Breakfast as well as, more recently, her lead character in ITV drama Where The Heart Is. Denise has a range of theatre stage experience including appearing in Les Miserables as part of the chorus when still a teenager and featuring as 'Roxie Hart' in the West End production of Chicago the Musical in 2001, a role which she also performed for five weeks on Broadway. In 2003 she starred in the one-woman musical Tell Me On A Sunday (written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black) at London's Gielgud Theatre in 2003.
John Barrowman: John was a Judge on the television series How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? which set out to choose an actress for the role of 'Maria' in the London Palladium revival of The Sound of Music. He is best known for his role of Captain Jack in BBC One's Doctor Who and its hugely successful spin off Torchwood. John has had a long and successful musical theatre career, from his West End debut opposite Elaine Paige in Anything Goes in 1989 and including lead roles in Miss Saigon, Beauty And The Beast, Sunset Boulevard, Hair and The Phantom Of The Opera.
Zoe Tyler: Although now a highly respected vocal coach, and known for being a Judge on last year's How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Zoe started out performing. Her numerous roles including Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar and as the narrator Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Bill Kenwright: Bill is a highly regarded West End theatre producer whose current West End producing credits include Treats starring Billie Piper and the musicals Cabaret and Blood Brothers. He also directed a production of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the West End which played for 2½ years in London's West End and which continues to tour the UK.