INTERVIEW: actor Craig Chalmers (From News Shopper)

INTERVIEW: actor Craig Chalmers

9:40am Wednesday 1st July 2009

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TWO years ago Any Dream Will Do finalist Craig Chalmers nervously stood on the stage and hit his first note in front of a packed auditorium.

He had caught the attention of theatre producer Bill Kenwright during the TV show and been booked for a 16-week tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Critics were somewhat suspicious of his reality TV show credentials and the play was only expected to last the scheduled four months.

But it is now the most popular touring theatre production in the country and the 28-year-old has had his contract extended five times.

Craig said: “My life has changed completely since the first show. It has just been like a completely different life and lifestyle.

“My Joseph is quite a physical Joseph and quite cheeky and there’s some comedy parts in it I quite like to do.

“It’s been a fantastic success and I’m really happy I’ve managed to play the role to what Bill Kenwright was hoping for.”

He has done almost 1,000 shows in two years and is no longer nervous about stripping down to a loincloth as he was the first time he appeared at The Churchill.

And Bromley audiences will get to see a slimmer, fitter Craig compared to when he last performed in the town.

“[The loincloth] is a good motivation to keep in shape.

“I’m probably at least a stone lighter than I was when I first came to Bromley because you’ve got to look trim and not make a fool of yourself prancing about in a loincloth.”

He added: “Returning to Bromley is going to be quite meaningful for me because it’s where I had my very first show as Joseph.

“It will be nice to return and be able to enjoy opening night a bit more rather than being absolutely petrified like when I did my very first show.”

Since he started in Joseph, Craig has got engaged to his girlfriend Jennifer who drives to wherever he is in the country to visit him on weekends while he is on tour.

But he has suffered sadness too as his mum died of pneumonia in January.

Craig said: “Mum did get to see a lot of shows and the Any Dream Will Do thing as well so I know she was very proud.

“But I wish she was still around to see my continuing success.

“She got to meet my fiancee and she got to see the ring and everything and she knew about my proposal and what I was going to do so I’m blessed she knew about all that.

“I just wish she could be around for the wedding.”

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Churchill, Bromley. July 7 to July 12. Call 08448 717620.

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