You can't be too careful with those loincloths . We wouldn't want them to slip now would we
Last edited by benjamin bunny : 12-12-2007 at 17:55

No

I only wandered in to see if there was any reviews from Edinburgh and find you two in a very serious conversation - I hope I didn't put you off your stride?

Sorry - not exactly a review was it . We thought we'd got away with it over here, but it looks like we've been sprung so I'm off to the naughty step again

Its ok BB, your secret's safe with me, I'm heading to bed now, no-one will even know I was here.

Just back from tonight's press performance in Edinburgh. We had seats in the front row and were able to see the whites of their eyes, as well as the hairs on the legs of people wearing loin cloths

I was totally delighted with the performances of the 4 "reality tv" stars. These guys work hard. Craig and Keith got a huge cheer from their home town audience.

I wasn't sure how the male narrator would sound, but Keith did a fantastic job.

Chris was an excellent Benjamin. I hadn't realise just how hard the brothers have to work throughout the whole performance. We met him at the stage door later and he was really lovely. I'm hoping to go back and see him as Joseph and as narrator. Tonight he didn't yet know which performances he'll be doing.

Craig was in the Circle Bar signing copies of his new CD after the show. We had a chance to meet him after that and he too seems like a really nice young man. At the end of the show he took the chance to compare his pre ADWD performances in clubs to tonight being on stage in a full theatre with a home crowd. It's been quite a year for him.

Wayne's Pharoah is wonderful. It's not the easiest part to play but he did really well.

As they are in Edinburgh for 5 weeks I know I'll get a chance to go back a few more times. No more front rows though. It'll need to be the "cheap seats".

Edinburgh review

- but can I suggest that you only read it if you're a Keith fan or have a stiff drink in your hand at the time...

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/wh...?id=1944802007

Wow was he really seeing the same show as us.....I know it is a good write up for Keith...which of course I think is quite true....but I also think he is being very unfair on Craig....Craig was fabulous....sometimes I think these critics want blood.

Hope you don't mind but I have posted on Keith thread....

Agree it is a harsh review and unfair on Craig and the production. I was at the show on Tuesday and thought the show was simply wonderful, Craig was fantastic and well Keith - he was sensational.

The audience went wild for both lads. Although it was hard to tell I think Craig by a small margin got the biggest and most cheers.

Right, my review, a little late but better late than never, hey?!


1pm show, Saturday Dec 8, Sheffield.

I WASN'T sure what to expect from the touring production of Joseph, having seen Lee in the West End twice now. But I don't think I ever expected to have so much fun and enjoy the show quite as much as I did. It's actually very hard to compare the two as they are so different, so I won't try to much. Suffice it to say that Mobile Joe is less slick, less polished and a little more ragged, but also a lot less serious. This is not a slight on the West End version, which still has the edge slightly for me. But the touring production bounces along, makes the audience laugh, and makes it about very much more than just Joseph. The whole cast look like they are having the time of their lives, from the dancers all the way up to Craig.

And Craig. What a revelation he is seeing him live. His voice doesn't have the tone and colour that Lee's does, but I am sure that will come with time. And, it is a lot better than Lewis' who I have also seen live, though not as Joseph. Craig's voice certainly does not fail him in any way. It stands up well to the rigours of the part and he conveys the emotions of each stage of Joseph's life well. But for me, it is in his acting that Craig truly stands out. He goes the extra mile with his facial expressions and the extra touches, such as the singing when Pharoah's back is turned and the 'thinks...' bubble, are signs that Craig's feet are firmly on the ground and he will happily act the fool for the good of the show. These are the touches that make this production so much fun. And it has to be said, he is rather easy on the eye too, moreso than I had imagined. He looks rather good in a loincloth, especially from row J in the stalls, and the mask he wears as governor is a good plot device but hardly fair to cover up that face.

But Craig is not the sole revelation. Chris Barton played the narrator in the show I saw. Having never seen Keith I can't compare but I can't imagine there is much to choose between them. Chris' voice is gentle and soothing - a total antithesis to the women I have seen play the part. He too looks like he is having the time of his life on stage, and despite the demands of the role, does not falter towards the end. In fact, he actually improves as the show goes on and his confidence increases before your very eyes. He and Craig clearly have a great rapport and this means their on stage partnership is even more special. And, Chris is also much more striking in person than on TV.

A word for the rest of the cast as well. Wayne is great as Pharoah and I much prefer him to Dean Collinson. The only problem is that sometimes he looks a touch too young, especially when he is lording over Joseph at their first encounter. But other than this, he delivers a great performance.

The brothers too, are great fun and bounce off each other well. The exuberance that the whole cast feels is conveyed to the audience, enhancing the show no end.

The biggest flaw to this show is one that I often cite, and that is brevity. Some of the potentially best scenes are raced through, such as Mrs Potipher but there is obviously a reason for this. This show attracts many children, many more than I have ever seen at a show before. And although the show was bright and fun enough to hold their attention for one and a half hours, i suspect the younger ones may have given up after any longer.
A great show, with a standing ovation well-deserved. I look forward to being able to see the show once again.


Also - having waited outside the stage door it was so nice to be able to meet Chris and Craig. As I have already posted, they were both charming, friendly and humble. Craig took time to have his picture with us and sign my programme even though he was off out with his girlfriend as he was off the next show. Chris was adorable and was soooo humble and concerned about us being soaked and also had his piccy taken with us. All in all, a great day!

The Evening News reporter saw the same show that I did, but maybe not from as close up

Keith was indeed in good voice. It was quite strange to see the show with a male narrator, but it was very well done.



What the reporter seems to have missed is the fact that the first tour of Joseph to come to Edinburgh was a Really Useful Company big production which stayed there for about 13 weeks. IIRC they brought with them a touring version of the West End set.

Some time after that huge production the rights to Joseph productions were taken over by Bill Kenwright. His tours played more venues (usually smaller) and moved on after a week. There was much less money in the production kitty and thus were not such big productions. When they came to Edinburgh they played the smaller, easier to fill, theatres rather than the Playhouse.

The West End production of Joseph is a Really Useful Company production. Big money there.

The touring show is a Bill Kenwright production, nothing like the same size as RUC. Their set has to be adaptable to fit any size of venue - from the small stage at Hamilton, to the large one at the Playhouse. The fact that this production has 4 reality stars is the reason it is playing to almost full venues, and those 4 young men work their socks off.

Tuesday evening's audience were mostly younger than last night's, so different audience reaction, which can affect how a reporter views a show.

All I can say is this production is much better than the one which was touring whilst ADWD was screened.

The Scotsman:

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/ente...oat.3590437.jp

Last Sunday i saw Mobile Joseph in Edinburgh, the matinee performance and it was a great show. Too bad i didn’t see Craig perform but Keith and Chris made more than up for that. They were both doing fantastic. I think they both completely blossomed after ADWD. I didn’t see Chris dance but his acting made me really feel for poor, poor Joseph and his reunion scene with his father Jacob was so very touching. Keith was so different from how he was in the tv-program. In my opinion he played the Narrator as a character who was there where the action was and only he knew how the story would end. To hear both of them sing live was worth every kilometre/mile i had to travel to get to that theatre in Edinburgh

Sunday 16 December, Edinburgh

As i have said a few times before, i have been playing my Joseph-cd on and off for years now and i was very happy be finally able to see the show live on stage. I saw the WE show/Lee (which i really enjoyed) but that didn't keep me from buying a ticket to see the Mobile Joseph version in Edinburgh. Apart from the chance to see Craig, Keith and Chris B. perform, i was also very curious how different the tour version would be. And last weekend i was finally going to see that show. Seeing Craig was not going to happen, i found that out on Friday Evening but i can tell you Keith and Chris made more than up for that.
Anyway i arrived in Edinburgh on Saturday so that gave me some time to if my favourite sites of that city were still there, and luckily they were .

On Sunday afternoon i was off to the Edinburgh Playhouse. There was a small scrum to get in, with quite large groups of children hand in hand in hand in hand...etcetera so no one was really pushing. Once inside it surprised me how beautifull characteristic and big the theatre was, the foyers (?) as well as the auditorium. I found my seat (row F, seat 30) and to me the show could start, but first it was announced that Craig would not be performing, (some groans) but instead it would be Chris (some cheers and a polite applause). I really liked the beginning of this show with Narrator Keith walking in holding the hands of two little girls. I can't get used to seeing someone "you know from the telly" for real for the first time, and Keith and Chris were no exeption. But that soon passed and they became The Narrator and Joseph.
Chris was a lovely young Joseph, not really arrogant or cocky but cheeky and clearly dad's favourite, and bullied for that by his brothers. He has a beautiful singing voice and i was truly touched by his reunion-scene with Jacob. I noticed during some parts of the show that some lines (sung by the Narrator) were different from my cd or the WE version (for example Jacob didn't buy a coat, he designed it him self and there was a whole extra verse in Go...Joseph explaining how Joseph was feeling). I was struck by the age of Jacob, he really was the old man Jacob is supposed to be.
Keith 'got me' from scene one. He really drew me and i think the whole audience right into the story. He was there were the action was, and, as others have said, he is in the background when needed but still complety silent acting/reacting to everything that happened. If you are still going to see it, take your eyes off the actual story and watch him (for example when Joseph explains the baker's dream)
Some scene's were staged darker than in the WE show, like the pit and Ishmaelites scene were Benjamin tried to help Joseph but was pinned down by one of the brothers, but that was spoiled i think by letting Benjamin getting distracted right after that by a bag of candy when he walked on with the unfortunate "passing goat" .
The brothers's as a group showed so much energy, and all together as a group they looked kind of menacing. But they were a real team and i think they really must be in super form, as active as they are on stage. The children's choir on the other hand, have nothing else to do but to sing on que and for the rest sit perfectly still, poor things. At least in the WE the choir got a chance to release their energy in the end by joining in with the Mega Mix.
Last but not least there was the Pharaoh. He gets the big show-stopping song and i really enjoyed that one, especially because of Joseph's reaction to it. The humour over all i found very funny. Not going to spoil anything but Joseph sometimes thinks in third person, i think his secret's out, deep in his heart he is a LoveLee .
About the voices, Chris' was beautiful, and as chocolately as promised by DVO and ZT during ADWD. Keith really got the chance (and took it) to show off that voice of his. Especially during "Pharaoh's song" he went full blast and it gave me goose-bumps, but he also gets the skill of singing softly. In my opinion he told us the story through his singing voice.
To make a long story short, i had a really good time and certainly don't regret those many kilometres/miles i had to travel to get to that theatre in Edinburgh

Hi Konartel what a lovely review , I really enjoyed reading that, made me feel like I was acually there watching. the show

Great review Konartel - it made me feel as though I was back watching the show and make me want to go again!

I am not sure if this is allowed, so apologies if it is not, but for anyone who likes Craig, you may be interested in a new fansite for him which has just opened:

www.craigchalmersfansite.com

I thought I'd bring this to the top again in the hope we get a few more reviews in the New Year.

Happy New Year everyone!

I thought I would add a wee review of my own, even though there's nothing new I can add to all the others!

I went on friday, really near the front and in the middle (I was a bit mortified to be so near the front at first until I caught sight of the rather scrummy people on stage , then the close up was goooooood ).

The whole thing was really good, made better by the fact that I wasn't expecting that much from it. I saw it years ago when Phillip Schofield was in it, but was too young to remember much about it. I was looking forward most to seeing Keith, I really liked his voice in ADWD and wanted to see how he's improved. Thats the only little negative point I have about it - I didn't like his fake acccent that kept creeping in . I know that its probably so people can understand him better, but the spitting out of the t's and other bits just irritated me, sorry.

So I was suprised to be really impressed by Craig, his singing is so much better than it was on ADWD, and really seemed to enjoy performing it (or so I tell myself!). He was funny, natural and believable, as well as being rather easy on the eye . I was also pleased that Chris was in it, I hadn't read much about it, so wasn't aware that he would be.

Actually another tiny negative point - the crazy blond dancer who was in a whole other energy world from everyone else! She just bopped away in her own little rhythm, but it was more funny than irritating.

But overall I loved it, so much so that I've booked more tickets for a fortnights time!

Thanks for that Acornati - hopefully other people will follow suit!

Or otherwise known as, “Confessions of a Leftpondia.”

The first time I saw Joseph live was seven years ago at the Indianapolis Civic Theatre in my Midwestern hometown. I saw an advertisement in the local paper and was ecstatic when my aunt agreed to take me and my cousins there on a freezing December night. The amateur cast gave an electric performance that had the audience on their feet in the Megamix while my aunt--who had never seen the show before--was laughing in astonishment when Pharaoh did his Elvis number. I considered it a personal triumph for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s first musical.

The second time was just last month when I managed to score a last-minute ticket to see Lee Mead in the West End. It’s the way the critics want Joseph look and just like Broadway shows, must meet particular expectations to please all.

The third time was at the Playhouse Theatre in Edinburgh at 8 o'clock on a Saturday night. I was intrigued to see how a “tour” would look but wisely took a cue from other fans. Just enjoy it and don’t spoil your evening by critiquing every second. But only ten minutes into the show I found myself thinking, “This could do well in places like Chicago, Baltimore, and Boston”. Dare we have a Joseph tour in the United States like this one? It rocked my socks off.

This forum had forewarned me that Keith would not be performing due to tonsillitis but there were still groans from the shocked audience. One of the brothers stepped in as the narrator and I have no complaints regarding his performance. It was smooth and polished but I confess my mind kept envisioning Keith Jack was the one on stage. Hopefully, another chance will come for me to see the ADWD runner up perform.

I’ve always felt that too much pop music in your ears is like too much sugar in your food: cloying and unsatisfying. But hats off to BK & Co. for giving us a show that has a generous yet adequate dose of pop, sugar, and color to make a bubbly sweet powerhouse of fun that will leave you clapping and dancing in your seat. (And it’s cholesterol free too!)

I’m fascinated by pantomime’s use of song and dance to tell a story instead of having performers talk out their emotions. The show interprets the classic biblical tale but cleverly finds a way to get closer to the original story in Genesis. The best example is watching Benjamin, who shows awe rather than jealousy towards Joseph and shares no enthusiasm whatsoever when his brothers plan to make Joe “sleep with the fishes". Little Benjamin is shoved aside while 10 gleeful brothers focus on getting rid of the dreamer.

Craig makes a wonderful pop Joseph with a clear strong voice that is heard well into the audience. I have no complaints about his diction and the one or two times I detected a Scottish accent were appropriately inserted. (“And I don’t speak Egyptian very well!”) There are gobs and gobs of humor and wonderful little quirks and gags but Craig sails through it all with beams and smiles while the audience roars in laughter in their seats. When it came down to the loincloth, there were several calls and whistles from the very-pleased audience because Mr. Chalmers wears it in ways I just can’t put in words.

Even if you know the show by heart, you’ll be amused with the delightful visuals that include cackling hags, credit cards, screaming cheerleaders, inflatable sheep and a “chariot of gold” that’s on any fanboy’s dream list. I also liked the variety of costumes such as the brothers’ 1970’s sheepskin jackets that still sell in Soho New York and gospel robes for the “Go Go Joseph” number.

Chris Barton’s role as Benjamin requires a lot of dance work and facial expressions but he pulls it off beautifully as the youngest and most innocent members of the family. It is he who looks shocked and appalled while the brothers speak of fratricide instead of the narrator and it is he who even warns Joseph of the plot afoot. When accused of theft, Chris lets out a tremendous chocked sob of “NO!” and collapses to the floor in a state of such despair that I expected another round of “Close Every Door”.

No complaints regarding Wayne Smith’s efforts and I’m glad he’s on board the Joseph bus. From the throaty voice to head tosses, he’s everything I expect in a Pharaoh. No wonder a screaming cheerleader is reduced to fainting when he drops his scarf into her lap!

All in all, a seamlessly well-done show that you’d want to see again and again. I thought the cast would be fatigued at their third show on that Saturday but in my eyes, no one slacked off. Everyone was energetic as could be and the audience was already clapping and singing along even before the Megamix started. But two things still puzzle me:

1.Why were there so many adults in the audience instead of kids?
2. Who inflated the sheep?

Wondreful review Rosefire. Thankyou.

Great review Rosefire !

The 2pm and 5pm matinees had many kids in the audience but the 8pm performance on a Saturday night in Edinburgh is definitely one for the adults.

As for the inflatable sheep... you probably don't really want to know

I do now... ?