The Dream Role
WHEN Any Dream Will Do heart throb finalist Craig Chalmers came to Crawley, The Observer felt it necessary to pay him a dressing room visit.
Since he landed the starring role in the touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 26-year-old Edinburgh-boy Craig has been travelling the country to packed out audiences.
But we managed to catch him between showers and warm-ups to talk loin cloths, illness and what it's really like to step into the shoes of the West End's most iconic role.
You would have thought that the gruelling 12 shows a week – more than
any other UK show – would be the hardest part of the job, but Craig, who
used to be part of a male strip group, thinks otherwise.
He said: "Actually physically getting into shape for the role was a challenge.
"I've lost a stone and a half since Any Dream Will Do – I was a bit worried about prancing around in a loincloth every night!
"Having to be out there in front of thousands of people half naked every night was pretty good motivation."
And Craig reckoned he definitely had what it in him to take on the famous mantle.
He said: "It's a role that I really thought I could play. I looked at myself, the role, and the voice and I knew I could do it, I just needed a bit of help with some aspects.
"Zoe Taylor – vocal coach on Any Dream Will Do – helped me a lot and the whole experience was like a concentrated drama school.
"A lot of famous names have played the part, Jason Donovan, Phillip
Schofield, Donny Osmond, so it's quite a lot of pressure but I want to just put into the role what I can and try to do it justice."
Craig said that Donny Osmond's performance remained his inspiration.
He said: "He's got such a good voice, I used watch the DVD of his performance and it was kind of like my benchmark for the role."
And Craig, who has no formal drama training, doesn't think it matters. He said: "It'smore about going for the parts you can
play and being realistic.
"You'll soon know if you've got what it takes and if you're determined enough. But it's taken me eight years."
But modest Craig doesn't reckon he's picked up any divaish habits.
He said: "I'm not like that at all! Sometimes, if my girlfriend's down, I'll ask her to get me a glass of wine or something.
"I miss going out and getting drunk with my mates and playing football, but that's on the backbench for now, I've got my career to concentrate on."
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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