Antony Hansen, who is only 19, has landed the part of Feuilly and will understudy the leading role of Marius in Les Misérables from June 22nd 2009.

Antony who comes from Steventon, near Didcot, is best known for his appearances in the BBC1 show Any Dream Will Do back in 2007. Although he was knocked out in the final live shows Anthony was not disheartened and has continued to pursue his dream of performing in the West End.

Antony said in an interview in his local paper

“The last two years have been a bit of a blur — from first auditioning for Any Dream Will Do, through to achieving my dream of appearing in London’s West End in my greatest musical of all time is just mind-blowing.

“Two years ago, I was at St Birinus School studying for my A-Levels and appearing in the school’s production of Les Misérables.

“Now I will be moving to London for 12 months to appear in Les Misérables, in the West End. You have to just go for it and become the best you can.”

After Any Dream Will Do, he joined the UK tour of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat in January last year as Napthali, moving to the lead role for the last 3 months of the tour.

I must do a round up post of where the other singers from Any Dream Will Do are soon as many of them have done very well, though few as well as Anthony as yet.

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Here’s a video of Gareth Gates as Joseph singing “Close Every Door” on the Alan Titchmarsh show last week, in case you missed it:

Don’t forget, you only have until 30th May 2009 to see Gareth in Joseph at the Adelphi theatre in London.

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Gareth Gates takes over the lead role as Joseph on February 9th 2009

Please note that Gareth Gates is on holiday and not appearing in Joseph on the following dates.

Monday 25th May 2009 to Wednesday 3rd June 2009
Thursday 9th July 2009 to Saturday 11th July 2009

** Joseph Theatre Breaks**

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Joseph with Gareth Gates

Gareth Gates plays Joseph from the 9th of February 2009. It will be his West End debut and the fulfilment of a long held ambition for Gareth. It’s not the first time he’s starred as Joseph in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat . Gareth first played the role in a school production at the tender age of 8! It was this role that first sparked his interest in musical theatre.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Later, aged 11, he was Head Chorister at Bradford Cathedral. Recognition for his fine voice came early to Gareth, he even sang for the Queen when he was 13. He came to the attention of the wider public when he was runner-up in the first ever Pop Idol in 2002. He has since had four number one singles, including Unchained Melody which sold 1.3 million copies.

More recently Gareth was very well received as Prince Charming in Cinderella at the Wimbledon Theatre . This was not a traditional panto so Gareth got the principal boy role whilst the female lead was played by Joanna Page (of Fat Pig and Gavin and Stacey fame).

The role of Joseph will be played by Ricky Rojas from January 10th until February 9th.

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Joseph 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!

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Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat

Most of us remember the musical “Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat” from a school performance, either as proud parents or as young performers ourselves! In my case, both – but the earlier memories are somewhat faded from the 1960s. The show was originally written as a ‘hip’ musical that schools would enjoy producing and if your memories are good ones then you’ll really want to see the full West End version of the show at some point in your life, and so will your kids, just to see how it looks when put on by professionals with all the accoutrements of the West End stage.

Any Dream Will Do

Of course the other possibility is that you watched the TV show “Any Dream Will Do” from which Lee Mead emerged as the star to play Joseph, and he continues to play the lead role until 10 January 2009 so there’s an idea there for December and New Year perhaps.

See Joseph in London with Joseph Theatre Breaks

The London show usually just called “Joseph” and it has been tweaked just a little over the years, for example there’s a completely new song for Pharaoh (Elvis) called “King of my Heart” but you’ll still recognise all the old favourites like “Close every door”, “Coat of many Colours” and “Any dream will do”. Joseph Theatre Breaks are packaged so that you get top tickets for the show bundled with a reasonably priced hotel stay so you don’t have to worry about getting away after the theatre, and if you book the rail journey at the same time it saves up to 40% on those tickets as well. The train is most convenient for visiting London from most parts of the UK and most people turn it into a theatre break weekend or take a day off midweek to go shopping and see the sights of London, maybe adding an extra excursion like a flight on the London Eye or a river trip.

Joseph Theatre Breaks in October – Special Offer

You’ll have to be quick but there’s a special discount offer on for Joseph Theatre breaks booked before October 9th for Monday to Thursday shows until October 16th, 2008. This brings the price of a ticket to see Lee Mead in Joseph and a night in a London hotel down to as little as £79.50 per person. But if that isn’t convenient try doing a search for the dates that do suit you and you’ll be surprised at the theatre break deals you might be able to find, even for those special times of the year in some cases.

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A 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.

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West 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

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Any 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:

Click here to view the embedded video.

And for the die hard fans here’s his audition tape where he first sang for Tim Rice, and didn’t recognise him:

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Joseph, currently one of the most popular shows in town, is still going strong and has just extended its run. The hit show at the Adelphi is now booking right through to January 2009! Joseph fans will be thrilled.

Jersey Boys, a newcomer that has quickly become a real favourite in London has also extended. Defying those who thought UK audiences wouldn’t warm to such an American story Jersey Boys has turned out to be a real winner with audiences. It is now booking until April 25th 2009 at the Prince Edward Theatre.

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