I apologise then - I think it was the fact that you picked the part that Lee wasn't in as your favourite bit of the show that made me think you wouldn't be bothered in that case if someone else was there instead. I never said you weren't a genuine fan - I just assumed that you were a fan of the man but not the music

I guess I'm really worried myself as my ticket is a Wednesday matinee and it seems to be the matinees that are most at risk of having Lewis instead of Lee.

Would be interested in seeing Phil2003's review of Joseph that was not unenthusiastic but which did obviously see elements to criticise. I have to admit to being a huge Lee fan myself, and still think he should be a superstar, but I also thought there was something about his performance that I was surprised to see and which was not quite right. I would be interested to see if he saw the same thing. Most (all) other fan reviews seen have been from people apparently incapable of seeing anything the gorgeous one does in perspective.

Do anyone direct me to that review?

In the meantime, also, it might be out of date if new news has come through, but the proposed extra matinee (the 9th show), as would have sold out again in 5 minutes, was turned down by Lee and probably also by the remainder of the cast. Lee has been quoted as saying that his doing 8 shows a week was enough. And since then RUG has officially confirmed that the 9th show will not now happen.

If Lewis was to take over a matinee, however, I don't suppose Lee would mind too much. It would free him up a bit more for album etc. But I don't think the audience would be very happy at all! There might be one or two people on this blog who would like to see Lewis, but they will be in a massive minority, and the reality now is that alternative dates to move whole audiences to, is just not there! It also wouldn't be fair in many ways to Lewis, either, because he would be very much second best! The audiences are just going ape for Lee! But the issue of holiday dates is still there, and it is not impossible that ALW will pull Lee off sooner for a little while for something else entirely.

But as a separate thought entirely, has anyone actually listened to the Jason Donovan recording lately? It seemed pretty good at the time, but after Lee now, there is just no comparison! It sounds barely adequate! And listening to that again also put my (slight) criticism of Lee in the show in perspective. It was never about his voice. He is massively better than JD ever was!

It wouldn't surprise me if ALW were grooming Lewis to take over when Lee leaves the show next June. Maybe that's how the rumor got started. It's the entertainment press - who knows?

Hey! Welcome to the forum!

The review is in the review thread and is post 164 on page 7 of the thread. This link should take you straight to the right page (I hope!)

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...=610632&page=7

Absolutely agree with likelyhood of Lewis taking over from Lee in June! That wouldn't surprise me at all. Why would they close such a successful show?

The rest of the cast wouldn't even have to change. But if there is any chance that RUG might ask Lee to stay longer (unlikely when ALW will have other plans), I hope he would have the nous to say no! He needs to move on to the next (major) role as soon as he can. It might be sacrosanct to say, but he is actually wasted in Joseph! He doesn't need to be as good as he is! And the old JD recording, that is ridiculously poor in comparison, illustrates that very well!

I shall be really excited if Lewis does get to play it. As well as being Lewis (which is more than enough for me) he is just perfect for the part.

Be good to see him play Rolf though.................. I wish they wouldn't set these rumours running and then not tell us how it works out.

Apparently Lewis does have something in the West End but it isn't Raif in the SOM. Loobyloo's daughter is at school with Lewis and told her that but couldn't say what itwas. Like you I wish they would hurry up and let the news out - all these rumuusrs make it worse

It's been confirmed on the Joseph website that Lewis will be Joseph when Lee is on holiday.

http://www.josephthemusical.com/buytickets.html

ooh it is all becoming clearer now, thanks Amy

That's OK blue, explains why Lewis had been at quiet a few of the performances, he was there again last night

Yay! Yay!

hope this is alright ...I've copied this from lewis' myspace ..it was posted today...obviously keeping busy before Joseph

Here are the following dates and venues of my tour which is called "Chicago and Beyond." The show will also star Zoe Tyler. Hope to see you all there!

14th Sept - Cresset Theatre - Peterborough
15th Sept - Palace Theatre - Newark
27th Sept - Stag Theatre - Sevenoaks
28th Sept - Harlequin Theatre - Redhill
30th Sept - Winter Gardens - Margate

3rd Oct - Fairfield Halls - Croydon
4th Oct - North Wales Llandudno
7th Oct - Opera House - Buxton
18th Oct - Civic Theatre - Aylesbury
19th Oct - Assembly Rooms - Derby
20th Oct - Civic Theatre - Bedworth
25th Oct - Winding Wheel - Chesterfield
26th Oct - Town Hall - Cheltenham
27th Oct - Lyceum Theatre - Crewe

1st Nov - Pavilion Theatre - Weymouth
2nd Nov - Malverm Theatre - Malverm
7th Nov - Grand Theatre - Swansea
8th Nov - Palace Theatre - Southend-on-sea
9th Nov - Victoria Theatre - Henley
10th Nov - Charter Theatre - Preston
17th Nov - Town Hall - Falkirk
22nd Nov - Orchard Theatre - Dartford
24th Nov - Grand Pavillion - Porthcawl
30th Nov - Spa Theatre - Leamington

Trying to recap and hope someone can fill in the blanks.
Lee - Joseph
Keith - recording deal
Lewis - Chicago Tour and holiday Joseph
Ben - Dirty Dancing and Hairspray
Craig - Mobile Joseph
Daniel - I Love You Because and Panto
Rob - panto - anything else?
Chris teeth - mobile Benjamin
Seamus - Singing in a band - any other news?
Anthony - ????
Johndeep - concerts - anything else?
Other Chris - ????

Pretty good result.

ETA daniels show name.

Thanks - some fairly random hopping about the country there!

News on Chris C and Johndeep - doing panto at Windsor!

so who does that leave?

Lewis is to be Joseph next year for one week in january, one week in march and one week in may whilst lee is on holiday- fact.

Lewis is to be rolf in sound of musical- rumour (tho i hope he is cus i am seein it in december but i spect he will be rehearsing joseph)

Keith is recording an album- fact.

Ben is to be Link Larkin in hairspray the musical, london, shaftesbury theatre from october- fact.

Craig is joseph in the touring production- type bill kenwright into google and go on his website.

good news on lewis-

Http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/te...4229-19606461/

Does it not say on lewis's myspace that he is doin chicago and beyond on the 6th of october at weston super mare?