Joseph gets a new lead - Gareth Gates! November 26, 2008
Posted by Linda in : cast changes, joseph, news , add a commentJoseph Has a Major Cast Change
Gareth Gates will take over the lead role in the musical Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat from February 9 2009 , after Lee Mead leaves on January 10. I know this slightly begs the question “who’ll play it for the missing month or so?” We’ll keep you posted.
Gareth Gates was a very popular runner-up in the first ever Pop Idol in 2002. He says:
“I have a lot to thank Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for as it is the reason I first started singing, after being chosen to play the lead in a school production when I was eight years old. Ever since then it’s been a dream of mine to appear in a West End musical….. I am really honoured to be appearing at the Adelphi, stepping into that famous coat, and really can’t wait to get stuck in!”
Should be interesting!
Theatre Breaks in London with the kids - top 5 shows this summer. June 20, 2008
Posted by Linda in : Grease, High School Musical, Musicals, joseph, lion king, opinion, theatre breaks in London, wicked , add a commentA theatre break in London with the kids sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it? There’s so much to do and see in London, even in a British summer. The hotels aren’t too expensive and you can book the whole thing, show tickets, 2 or 3 nights hotel, extras as an all in one package, you can even include the return rail fare. If your children are over the age of 3 you should be able to find a show to suit your family.
So which shows do you go to see?
It really depends on the age of the children and their interests.
Don’t be put off by worries that the shows will all be sold out, companies that sell packages often have good, reasonably priced tickets for hit shows when no one else does.
The Lion King
The Lion King is pure Disney and one of the best shows for mixed ages. The Lion King is so much more than the cartoon. The story is simple and familiar but the spectacle and the power of the live music makes it really something special. Ideal for boys, girls, and just about anyone who likes animals!It is long though and that partly explains the age restrictions (see below).
- Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes including the interval
- Matinees: Sunday - 3:pm Weds - 2:30pm and Sat 2:00
- Evenings: Shows start at 7:30 except Mondays (no show)
- Recommended age limit
Ideal for 7 plus, below 7 use your discretion but be realistic. Under 4s will not be admitted to the theatre. They are quite strict about this.
** book Lion King theatre breaks **
Joseph
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s version of the biblical story is a family classic. Good for mixed ages the show has plenty of action, strong, well-known songs and is performed by a lively, young cast. Joseph was originally written for children the show keeps their interest well but has enough going on to keep the adults involved too. If you want to see Lea Mead you should know he will be on holiday 28th July - 5th August 2008.
- Running time - 2 hours including interval.
- Matinees: Weds and Sat 3:00pm
- Evenings: Mon, Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sat, 7:30 Tues 7:00 (No show Sunday)
** book Joseph theatre breaks **
Wicked
Wicked is ideal for those of you with pre and early teen girls. They will love it! The story is set in Oz before Dorothy gets there and sets out to explain why Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of The West is so wicked and so very green. Wicked sets the record straight about that poor, misunderstood witch. It has some sinister moments but nothing too scary. There aren’t any stated age restrictions but use your judgement. It is very, very long.
- Running time: 2hrs 50mins including interval.
- Matinees:Weds,Sat 2:30
- Evenings:Mon, Tues, Weds,Thurs, Fri, Sat 7:30 (No show Sunday)
** book Wicked theatre breaks **
High School Musical
High School Musical - this is one that anyone between 8 and 16 will know more about than you do!Based on a hit TV series this is the story of Troy, a popular high school basketball star, and Gabriella, a shy, academically gifted newcomer, who discover they share a secret passion for singing. Lively, fun, and very American this is one that the kids (and the adults!) will either love or hate. This is the one they are likely to think is ‘cool’ to see and to brag about.
- Running time :2 hours 20 with interval
- Matinees: Sun, Weds and Sat 3:00
- Evenings: Tues, Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sat 7:30 (Monday - no show)
** book High School Musical theatre breaks **
Grease
We all know the story of Sandy the goody two-shoes from Australia who falls in love with bad boy Danny Zuko over the summer holiday and their reunion at Rydell High School. The songs from Grease are classics and they are sung with great energy by this lively cast. Best for 10 plus the story and music will appeal to both boys and girls. If you want to see Ray Quinn (X-Factor) remember he’s on holiday 19th-25th of August.
** book Grease theatre breaks **
Top Tips
- Try for aisle seats- so much easier!
- A bag of small, non-messy snacks (small bags of sliced apples,carrots, etc., little boxes of raisins) and juice cartons is a good idea. Minimise the sugar intake!
- Take small, wriggly people for regular walks.
The Shows To Avoid
- Despite the puppets Avenue Q is not suitable for under 15s and has adult themes.
- Billie Elliot includes a lot of language that makes it unsuitable for young children.
West End LIVE 2008 - Theatre stars in Leicester Square June 11, 2008
Posted by Andy in : attractions, news, westendlive , add a commentWest End LIVE 2008 is a free outdoor event taking place in Leicester Square this coming Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June. From 11am on Saturday and 12noon Sunday, the best of what the West End has to offer is showcased live in front of an audience of anybody who is in the area or can make the time to drop by.
For the running order on both Saturday and Sunday please see our new post: West End Live 2008 Running Order
The spectacle includes performances from many of the top West End shows, alongside other great musical acts and some interactive displays and exhibits from London’s Museums and attractions.
For further details you could try visiting www.westendlive.co.uk but when I went the spectacular scrolling banner display at the top froze my browser for minutes before I could regain control so you might want to read the page at Show and Stay’s Theatre News instead.
Shows performing on the main stage:
The 39 Steps
Avenue Q
Brief Encounter
Buddy
Chicago
Dickens Unplugged
Dirty Dancing
Divas
Grease
High School Musical
Into The Hoods
Jersey Boys
Joseph
The Lord of the Rings
Mamma Mia!
Never Forget
The Sound of Music
Stomp
We Will Rock You
Wicked
Joseph star Lee Mead confirmed through to Jan 2009 May 10, 2008
Posted by Linda in : dates, joseph , add a commentAny Dream Will Do star Lee Mead has confirmed that he will continue to play the lead in Joseph until 10 January 2009.
It’s hard to think that Lee Mead was an unknown just eight months ago. He won the chance to appear in Joseph at the Adelphi in the BBC show Any Dream Will Do.
Lee has quickly established himself as one of the most popular stars in the West End. He’s won awards and nominations for best actor and best newcomer and has made himself a great reputation with West End audiences.
With show stopping numbers like Close Every Door to Me and Any Dream Will Do the current production of Joseph at the has been amazingly well received since it opened. It’s still a really hot ticket in town and once of the best ways to be sure of seeing it is to book your tickets as Joseph theatre breaks.
Here’s Lee in full flow:
Video courtesy of The Really Useful Group Ltd
And for the die hard fans here’s his audition tape where he first sang for Tim Rice, and didn’t recognise him:
Adelphi - Joseph January 2, 2008
Posted by admin in : Musicals, adelphi, joseph , add a commentTheatre Breaks in London - ‘Joseph’ November 17, 2007
Posted by admin in : Musicals, joseph, theatre breaks in London , add a commentIf you are planning a theatre break in London, then “Joseph” is currently one of the ten most popular shows to see. The great thing about booking it as part of a package is that you are sure to get tickets for one of the best shows without paying over the odds. Knowing you have a comfy hotel room to wander back to after the show really adds to the sense of occasion as well. It’s just so much more relaxing than having to battle with trains, or even worse, driving through the London traffic.
Theatre breaks package
I was amazed by how reasonable the cost of tickets, hotel and train can be, with prices starting from around £118.
Rice and Webber
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was originally a 1970s musical by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The pair conceived it as a 15 minute school production in 1968, and then brought it to the West End after their success with Jesus Christ Superstar. Based on the Biblical story, “Joseph” tells a tale of sibling rivalry followed by punishment, forgiveness and redemption. It has some super songs and set pieces. My favourite is “Close Every Door” but there are lots of others. It’s just classic Lloyd Webber genius really!
Any Dream Will Do
The BBC TV show Any Dream Will Do which made a reality game show out of searching for the main cast members for a London production has now made Joseph really popular all over again. I think most people who watched the BBC series feel like they’ve had a part in producing this show. Who could forget the wonderful (awful!) faces Lloyd Webber pulled? Now is the perfect time to go and see what it was all about. The TV was great but you cannot compare it to the experience of watching a live performance. Lee Mead has had good reviews for his portrayal of the star role but it’s by no means a one man show and the rest of the cast have all been highly praised as well.
London Theatre - the Adelphi
The show is on at the Adelphi Theatre, a lovely 1930’s Art Deco Grade 2 listed building on the Strand in the heart of the West End. Although it has a fairly plain exterior, it is richly decorated inside. The whole theatre was re-furbished in the 1990s and it has up to date facilities. There has been a theatre on this site since the early 1800s and in 1930 updated to accommodate larger audiences The main walls and the entrance at the back of the theatre are all that remains of the original building.
Theatre break extras
Travelling to the heart of London Theatre Land by train, staying in a nearby hotel, maybe adding an extra night or even two, to allow for a little gentle shopping 
Sounds just about perfect to me. Some of the deals even let you add on ‘afternoon tea’ at Fortnum and Masons. I’ve only ever done that once but it was just so English, so civilised and so delicious! A lovely addition to a short London hotel break with theatre included.
News - Joseph(Lee) takes a break. November 15, 2007
Posted by admin in : Musicals, joseph, news , add a commentJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
If you are booking tickets for a theatre break in London to see Joseph especially to see Lee you should note that :
Lee Mead winner of Any Dream Will Do contest to find a new Joseph will NOT be performing on the 14th-26th January 08, 10th-15th March 08 and 5th-10th May 08, Lewis Bradley will be taking Lee’s place as Joseph on these dates.
