Well, I think we knew about Wednesday, but different Theatres are saying different things: today at The Wycombe Swan, the web page states:

"Craig Chalmers as Joseph.
Chris Barton (also from Any Dream Will Do) will be playing Joseph on Wed Matinee and one of the matinees on Sat. "

I could not do the evening performance so I had a 50/50 chance... as will many other theatre goers.

It is common knowledge but up until yesterday he was doing the 5pm saturday slot

Some theatres are still saying that:

Theatre Royal Plymouth

New Theatre, Cardiff

- or have they just not yet changed it?

I think its unfair to fans (of both Craig and Chris) that theatres don't specify exactly who is performing at each show.

Unfortunately the theatres seem to be bottom of the pile when it comes to having information. When I booked for Plymouth, they didn't have a clue who was even playing Joseph ! I told them.

I knew about the Weds Mat. and the Sat early evening being Chris's, but thats only by digging around many sites for news. If we only go by what the theatres put on their websites we'd be clueless ! Even Bill K's site is vague - the one place where you would imagine all things Joseph should be, arent

So Hooray for DS !
This is where the news starts most of the time

This change is not the best news for those like Stashy who can only get to a daytime show - and was led to believe Craig would be performing when booking. My heart goes out to you Stashy ! I am crossing my fingers that if you can't get to see him this year - theres hope of another chance next year when the extended tour dates and venues are announced xx

Now roll on November and Craigs album!! We need a good dose of Craig singing wonderfully sweet music to soothe our troubles away.

Yay for passports And yay for camels! I don't think naming him after BK would have been weird....you could have named him Ken for short hehehe TdV suggested Sweeney for my camel. Thanks so much for getting Sweeney for me!

I hope your next trip over to the UK will coincide with more McJoseph shows and you get to see him next time.


I wish it hadn't turned out that way Stashy Can you work on OH for New Years in Edinburgh even harder now? If he won't go for it try and work on him for a trip for yourself and meet me in Edinburgh, we can squee and support Craig together!

I am in a very squeeeing mood right now, veeeeeeery caffeinated right now

Firstly thank you so much to Trixi Hobbit for setting up the Appreciation Thread in the first place. It has been a mind of information for me over the past few months and I have been wondering for ages whether to join you all on the forum or not but have finally decided to so as I am such a big fan of Craig's too.

I watched the Any Dream will Do programme knowing that I would enjoy it thorougly and right from the first programme I knew that Craig was a person to watch as he seemed to stand out so much from some of the other auditionees. As the programmes went on and the numbers were whittled down to perform on the live programmes, it was obvious that Craig had the looks, determination, hard work, charm, strength and vulnerability to make a fantastic joseph. I had seen both Jason Donovan and Philip Schofield in the West End production and although both were great, I knew that Craig could be the next Joseph as he blossomed every week and how fab was he when we saw him on set doing the Les Mis bit - even the other cast members said he was leading man material. His singing of the song This is the moment was sublime and I think at that moment he started believing himself that he could be a musical star so I was absolutely gutted when the week he sang Suspicious Minds he was evicted by Andrew Lloyd Webber and the extremely smug Ben was saved instead.

However, I knew in my heart that Bill Kenwright was his champion and would find him a part so how fantastic was it when I read on your appreciation thread that Craig was going to get his dream role of Joseph and go on tour and even more how marvellous was the fact that the theatre he was going to start the tour on was my own local theatre so I would be able to see him the first week he started his new job.

I therefore booked tickets to see Craig as a birthday present for my mum on the 25th August with my sister and I got a ticket as a treat for myself to see him on Wednesday 22nd August at the 1.30 performance as I had been working so hard and deserved a half day off from work. It meant going into work early on the 22nd and then leaving in time to have lunch and go and see the show. I could hardly contain my excitement, I was going to see Craig in person doing the role he had been born to play and it was wonderful. I had never been to the theatre on my own before but everyone I spoke to in my row whilst waiting to see him (I was three rows from the front on an end - a perfect view) were so lovely to me. Anyway the show started and well what can I say, Craig was superb in the role. He sang clearly and in perfect pitch. His acting was great, he moved well, he was humourous when he needed to be. When he became the Prince of Egypt in the second half, he completely commanded the stage, he was tough, strong and his voice was spectacular. When the show finished, he graciously bought Chris Barton to the front of the stage and thanked everyone for all their support for coming to the show and for their support to Chris and the rest of the cast and he thanked Bill Kenwright for his help and support too. It was so moving and bought tears to the eyes. There were so many encores and everyone was on their feet, it was more like a party then a show. (I forgot to mention that the part of the show where Jacob and Joseph were reunited was one of the most sincere and moving moments I have ever seen, it was wonderful and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house).

Anyway, after the show I managed to wait round the stage door and it was pouring with rain. The other members of the cast came out and were so lovely chatting to the loyal fans who were there. I got chatting to some lovely people who were big Craig fans too and then finally after a half hour (there was a delay as the children had been singing to the cast after the show) the man himself came out dressed in a gorgeous blue courdroy jacket and he was just charm himself, chatted to us all for ages, let us have our pictures taken with him, signed photographs and programmes and as I had my letter with me that he had written back to me as I had written to him after ADWD that I was one of the ones he had written to and seemed really pleased to have all the support from everyone and he smiled as I said he was keeping up the blue theme of the coat as he had his lovely blue jacket on. We all chatted for ages and then he was gone but not before I had told him that I was coming to the show again with my mum and sister for my mum's birthday present. He asked me which show and I said the 2 pm and I think at that stage he thought Chris would be doing this show for him as Chris was meant to be doing two shows a week for him but he couldn't say either way at the time.

Chris by the way was superb in the role of Benjamin and his dancing was great but I did have my worries about him taking on a leading role.

Anyway, went to see the show again on the Saturday with mum and sister and crossed my fingers before it started that Craig would be doing that performance. Need not have worried, the great man himself was doing the performance. We were sitting in the circle this time as my mum has asthma and can't walk too far and we watched enthralled. The performance was as wonderful as the Wednesday performance but what was wonderful this time was to share it with my family. We all sang along to all the songs. (I had sung and danced away to the Wednesday performance too - it was fab).

After the show, my sister was dying to meet Craig too, she hadn't been as big a fan as me as hadn't seen all the programmes but after hearing all about it from me and seeing the show, she couldn't wait to see him too. Anyway adorable Craig came out after the show in his cute grey tracksuit and it was wonderful he did so, because he came straight over to us, my sister had her picture taken with him, he signed a Joseph lyrics book (the theatre had run out of the proper programmes) and we told him how much we had loved the show and that the weather was better today then it had been on the Wednesday when I had come on my own. Another lady said that she had seen the West End production with Lee and hadn't enjoyed it as much as this production. She said that there were too many screaming girls there and the noise meant you couldn't hear everything being said properly and she said the general look of the touring production was better. Craig was so charming again to everybody, said he was loving doing the role. He said he had been nervous on the Tuesday show because it was press night but he was getting used to meeting and talking to the press. He said that the understudy (presumably Chris) wasn't ready yet to take on the role which meant he had to do every performance at the moment until he was ready but what a fantastic dancer he was and we all agreed. I asked if he had to contain the voice a little if he was doing three performances in a day and he said that yes it did mean he had to be careful with the top notes and that the voice could get quite tired but he was loving the show. I told him that I hoped he wouldn't get too exhausted. He also said again how much support Bill Kenwright had given him. He was just so charming, adorable and lovely and he said it was so nice to meet us.

I would love to go and see the show again but may not be able to see it this year so thanks to the thread, I now know that I might have the chance to see him again next year as the tour is being extended.

I do hope that for those of you who haven't seen him so far enjoy it as much as I have. I think we are all so pleased that our choice for Joseph finally got his wish even if he isn't in the West End just yet, but he will be soon I'm sure and what better training is he having at the moment plus it means for a lot of us we can see him near to where we live which makes it an extra special experience I think.

Craig did say at the second performance I saw him at that his CD would be out in November but that he hadn't had a lot of time to work on it just yet and we all said that we were really looking forward to that coming out. So for me I'm waiting for the CD until I get the chance to see Craig in person again.

My husband has booked up for me to Joseph with Lee Mead in December for my birthday present and although I am sure this will be great. I can't help thinking that I won't enjoy this as much as seeing Craig as Joseph. I liked Lee in the programme and glad he got his lucky break, he is very talented but he is not my idea of Joseph, I'm afraid but that is just a very personal opinion.

Welcome Siouxsie

What a wonderful review - thankyou for sharing your meetings with the blonde one.

Its wonderful to see so many new posters on the thread, please join in with the chat.

Lucky you seeing the show already, we are all desperate to see it - from this week its going to be all go Craig isn't going to know whats hit him ! - He will have Craigettes left, right and centre !

Hi Trixie. The shows Craig has NOT been doing, up 'til now, have been changed.
He is now NOT doing WEDNESDAY MATINEE and SATURDAY 2.00PM SHOW. Not like you to be confused.

Oh Thank you Itslmo,

I'm needing a minor miracle at the moment to change things, but I'm also working on Plans B, C and D! With my luck the way it is at the moment, I need a whole alphabet of plans, but, as my OH will testify, I'm not the sort of person who gives up easily!!

I'm not good with the caffeine either, buy doesn't it feel good!

Hi Siouxsie,

I loved reading every word of your review and you've landed in the right place to follow what's happening with Craig.

Welcome aboard!

The reviews of the show and Craig's performance talk of the quality of his voice and his acting. When fans meet him, they are bowled over by his personality. We are watching a rising star here.

Hello Siouxsie - pleased to see you. Thank you for your lovely review. What a lucky family you were.

It really is hard to keep your enthusiasm to yourself isn't it. I know I was reading the thread for a few weeks before I found I just had to join in and celebrate Craig's achievement. (I only came upon it by chance whilst looking for information on Craig's mystery tour, as hinted at on the ADWD site).

I am taking my Mum to see Lee in the West End, before the family outing to Mobile Jo, and I have to admit I'm now pleased that it worked out that way round. Both will be a bit of an adventure for us. I'm sure when the time comes you will thoroughly enjoy your West End trip. It will be a different experience. Expect you'll have the Christmas lights as well. (As you say, seeing Craig on home ground and following the journey that got him there must have made it so much more personal.) I plan to indulge in the West End show site for a while before we go to build up the enthusiasm again.

When watching ADWD I personally thought both Lee and Craig deserved their chance and could both be amazing in the part. Lee had the experience to take on the West End and Craig now has the best possible start in what promises to be a long and varied career. His hard work has been rewarded and we have the chance to catch up with him again next year. Have a feeling we will need to be quick booking the seats for 2008 though, as I'm sure his popularity is only going to grow in leaps and bounds.

Welcome aboard.

hello everyone, and a special hello to trixiehobbit \o/

just popped in to see what was happening with craig.
i'm looking forward to craig's album coming out in november.

ps. that was a wonderful review siouxsie22

Stashy .... just been catching up and see you are in need of a 'cunning plan'. So sorry. I must say you are coping very well - stiff upper lip and all that. (Well at least in company).

If you can't manage Edinburgh for New Year in lieu of all Christmas presents and future anniversaries; at least you can hopefully take your pick for 2008 and get the best seats available the minute the news is hot off the press.

Keep positive ... keep focussed .... keep nagging!

Well, I do still have one problem... what to do with the present I had prepared for Craig?

I've lovingly created a mock-up of the video scenario for him...

'Lightening', the Baby Beanie horse, handsome Craig doll sat astride it with black kilt set at a devilishly jaunty angle. In the background, The Long and Winding Road plays wistfully.

It will just have to wait now.

Hi everyone and thank you to those who have responded to my post and its lovely that you enjoyed reading it - Thank you so much. It's wonderful that we can all share our admiration of Craig together and I am delighted to be part of such a friendly, lovely fan base.

Am sure all of you will be as excited as I was to see our darling Craig in the show and to meet him afterwards, can't wait to hear all your reviews and comments and I'll be feeling so jealous that I can't be there to see him again but I just feel so priviledged at the moment to have seen him twice, so mustn't feel too upset.

Enjoy the rest of the evening and speak to you all again next week.

Best wishes

Siouxsie xxx

It was during the intermission. She was just going ON and ON about how much she didn't like him. She's entitled to her opinion - even though she's WRONG - but I wanted to let her know that her loud (and WRONG) commentary displeased me greatly. Stupid wench. Her, not me. What, jetlagged much? *staggers back to sofa*

Hiya Siouxsie, welcome I'm very flattered to be thanked for starting this thread but honestly the thread wouldn't be anything without the fantastic Craig fans like yourself Welcome to the virtual Chalmers Clan and make yourself right at home. Your reviews are brillant ! Gave me a big smile. I wondered if the blue Jacket was the same one as the one he wore on the BBC Breakfast show? Blue does suit him I agree

We're all big fans to the mobile Joseph (The Boss ) and we are lucky enough to get a visit occasionally! Henry Hippo you probably know fro reading the thread, is the roving (eye) reporter in the know (lol, I'll get told off for that one ) Dotty is along with me the longest serving Craigette with a passion for a blonde man in a black kilt and Stashy is a recovering eBay addict with has exchanged her liking of all things 'cheap as chips' for an admiration of the man with the voice of pure gold (or warm chocolate - either are verrrrrry appealing to the fairer sex ) And I'm on here having fun and enjoying seeing Craig becoming successful, which is great. It's so deserved. It's great to see someone making people smile like he does isn't it. Nice refreshing change that is being warmly welcomed the people who see him.

I've mentioned just a few of us there - maybe some of the others would like to fess up to why they like cheering Craigs success? That would be good

Hi Siouxsie:, It was great to read your review. Im glad you and your family had such a wonderful time at the show. Im not going to see the show until December, so its great to read about whats happening just now, to keep me going. I too have met Craig ( when he was in Livingston ). What a lovely guy he is. He makes you feel so at ease. When I was waiting in the quque I was a bundle of nerves and did not know if I would even be able to speak in a sensible way to him. But I should not have worried. As soon as my daughter and I approached him he gave a big smile and started chatting away as though we had known him for ever. Sorry for rabbiting on, but the memory of it still makes me go all wobbly at the knees!

all the best, N

Seems Craig's responsible for many a clear-thinking woman suddenly turning to a jelly I'm lucky my sister is coming with me so she can be my Interpretor. Not sure he'll understand what "um..um...I carried a watermelon " will mean !

Lol, its amazing the effect he has on us all

By the way, does anyone know if they are selling merchandise at the shows? How much would I like a Craig tee shirt !

Mobile Joseph on your chest is the wish of many a Craig fan I'm sure

Maybe someone can tell us what goodies are on offer at the theatres ? Anything with photos is good for me - we have a distinct lack of Craig pics on the net don't we.

Hah! It's Craigs fault (see post 2319)

tommy \o/ great to see you again. Been a while since we were cheering on Craig in ADWD.

Not sure you'll appreciate Craigs album is a duo though - with Keith ! Can you bring yourself to listen I wonder?

Hope life is being good to you tommy - come back again soon won't you

Hi Tommy! *wave*

As for the duo nature of the album, well...isn't that what "mix CDs" are for? (Sorry, Keith fans, and if his stuff is good then I'll happily keep it.)