Craig’s big break got him living the Dream

12:20pm Thursday 15th November 2007

When Craig Chalmers isn't doing 12 weekly performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat he's in the studio recording his new album, or he's in rehearsals for a Christmas TV special featuring him and fellow finalists from BBC1's Any Dream Will Do.

It's a far cry from Craig's life a year ago when he was setting up his own equipment at cabarets and playing to audiences of 30.

Craig was a struggling singer when the auditions for Any Dream Will Do came along. The brief was simple; Andrew Lloyd Webber was searching for a leading man for a West End revival of Joseph, his popular Biblical musical.

Craig, from Edinburgh, beat 10,000 hopefuls to the live shows and ended up in the top five. Lee Mead went on to win the show, and the coveted West End role of Joseph, but Craig was offered the lead role in the touring production.

So how is it to be finally wearing that coat of many colours?

"It's fantastic," beams Craig. "It's a show I've always wanted to be in, I grew up listening to all the songs and I was a big fan of Jason Donovan as Joseph. On Any Dream Will Do you really set your sights on it, so to be playing Joseph now is fantastic.

"He's a lovely character, he goes on a real journey. He starts off being cocky and naive then he becomes more humble and forgiving. It's quite multi-layered, there's something for all ages; children love the colour, songs and the fun and for older audience members there are more serious themes of greed and oppression."

Written in 1968 by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice as a 15-minute pop cantata' for a London school's end of term concert, Joseph has become one of the world's most successful musicals.

The re-working of the Biblical story of Joseph, his 11 brothers and that colourful coat is much-loved for its score which includes Any Dream Will Do, Close Ev'ry Door To Me and One More Angel.

"There are various musical styles, from ballads to pop and rock n' roll," says Craig. "You've got to be fit though, discipline is so important. I finish a show and go straight to bed."

Suddenly he breaks off to chase a pub table umbrella down the street. I hear him on the other end of the phone managing to retrieve it.

"Sorry about that, it just blew off down the road," he says. I wonder whether a bigger star would have bothered, or whether he'd get one of his lackies to do the chasing. Craig is pleasant and polite - I hope it lasts.

He's currently in Cardiff and is enjoying touring. "It's all new to me but I'm getting into the swing of it," he says. "It's been over a month since I've had a day off because when I've also been recording my album, Dream On, which is released on Boxing Day. It's a mix of musical numbers and ballads.

"I miss my family and friends but the show is in Edinburgh for five weeks over winter so I'll be up there for Christmas. I've had to make changes in life; I used to play a lot of football but I don't have time right now. But I'm doing what I always dreamed of, I can't believe how far I've come in 12 months."

In Joseph, Craig is joined on stage by fellow Any Dream contestants Chris Barton, playing Benjamin, and Keith Jack (who came runner-up to Lee Mead) as the Narrator. And Wayne Smith, who reached the final of ITV's Grease Is The Word, plays the Elvis-like Pharaoh.

The Joseph lads are rehearsing for a Christmas special with the six final Josephs from Any Dream Will Do and the six final Marias from BBC1's How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?

"We're singing with Denise Van Outen and John Barrowman, it'll be great working with everyone again," says Craig. "Any Dream has given me the break I needed."

Prior to that, he'd been in boyband No Reason who had a Top 10 hit and performed alongside the likes of Blue, McFly, Sugababes and Girls Aloud. "I'd worked hard doing gigs, not being paid much and setting up my own equipment. I was reaching the stage where I was thinking When is it going to be my turn?'" says Craig.

"Any Dream was emotionally draining and intense but fantastic experience. You can't ask for more than performing live for millions of viewers - and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The whole panel was great, Bill Kenwright (the producer of Joseph) has been so supportive."

Craig was no stranger to TV talent shows. In 2003, he reached the final stages of Pop Idol, won by Michelle McManus. "There was quite a difference in after-care between that show and Joseph. The team on Joseph offered lots of support for the contestants afterwards.

"There is a pressure when you make it on a show like that. Some talent show contestants don't have much experience of performing or auditions and can't really handle the reality of the business, but I'd worked for a long time and I was 25 when Any Dream came along. I appreciate what I have because I've seen the business from the other end.

"My philosophy since the show has been to keep my head down and listen to all the advice that comes my way."

• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs at the Alhambra from November 26 to December 1. For tickets ring (01274) 432000.