[Jessie]

I was just wondering on what all your views are on Lewis being Joseph when Lee is on holiday/ill?
I am really annoyed that it is Lewis, the public clearly didn't want him, and he is nowhere creditted as an understudy or standby, when James Bisp is!! What is the point of having an understudy if you're going to get someone else in?
Lewis is Joseph tonight, with Lee having a stomach bug, but he was fine until mid-warm up, so Lewis must have hurried there with a small warm up, why do that when James would have already been in the theatre and warmed up?
Lewis is only 18, he needs to get a role he actually deserves, he's got plenty of time left, in which I hope he improves
I'm aware this sounds very bitter, but it really gets on my nerves! I understand that they might use him because he's a "recognised name" by the people that see Joseph, but it doesn't mean people aren't really upset and disappointed, there's a reason Lewis didn't win!
Thoughts?

[Biddy]

NOT taking sides in this discussion (I too feel for James Bisp!),
but just mentioning some factors which could perhaps be part of the reasoning.

Lewis played the role when Lee was on holiday, & I suppose fitted into the existing company -
whereas if James was suddenly required to play Joseph at short notice,
that would affect the roles to be played by other actor[s]:
ie James's usual role would suddenly need to be undertaken by someone else -
&c?

Maybe there were other Cast absences too, that day:
eg for wintry ill-health, or for Holiday Leave (especially being Good Friday) -
maybe bringing in Lewis seemed the best solution for the company as a whole?

[Jessie]

If James is off then the role is played by one of the swings, it's been done before...
Also, the cast always seem very downbeat whenever Lewis is on...how can I put this? They don't "warm" to Lewis, which makes sense seeing as the company are all really good friends, and I think they probably would rather have James be Joseph.

Thanks though
I wrote to RUG about it and got a response today actually..

[Laughingmonsta]

I wrote to RUG about it and got a response today actually..

Whats was there POV on the matter?

[Marianne]

I
I wrote to RUG about it and got a response today actually..

Good for you - to follow your strong feelings

[Jessie]

Standard reply, I don't think theyu completely understood what I was saying...
Dear Ms. Rutland

Thank you for your letter dated 12 March 2008, regarding the understudies to the role of Joseph in our production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

I am sorry that Lewis's performance as Joseph is not to your taste. However there are a great many audience members who have seen and very much enjoyed his performance. Theatre is, by its very nature, a subjective experience and because of the enormous success of Any Dream Will Do everyone has their favourites and strong feelings towards all the boys who made it to the final stages of the competition.

Also, can I thank you for your comments regarding the other understudies to the role. You comments have been noted.

Yours sincerely,

SAMUEL BURGESS
Production Supervisor

[Matthew Winn]

Also, the cast always seem very downbeat whenever Lewis is on...

So do the audience.

how can I put this? They don't "warm" to Lewis

Nor do the audience.

[quoting RUG]I am sorry that Lewis's performance as Joseph is not to your taste. However there are a great many audience members who have seen and very much enjoyed his performance.

Are there? I don't recall anyone doing a survey of audience opinions when I was there. And I couldn't help but notice that the last time I saw that many empty seats at the Adelphi - during a performance, at least - was when Chicago was in residence. I gather there are some people who enjoy lutefisk but that doesn't mean it's good.

[xXAngelofMusicXx]

Matthew Winn, I completely agree.

What I also don't understand is, if Lewis is on for more commercial reasons as ofhis popularity on ADWD, rushing him in an hour before the performance is hardly going to sell more tickets. Not to mention when Lewis has been on whne Lee is ill, I've known of more people returning their tickets than buying some.

[Jessie]

Apparently if Lee is ill over an hour before the show starts Lewis is called in, if it's less than an hour, it's James....ridiculous..

[xXAngelofMusicXx]

I read that, it is ridiculous. Has Lewis Bradley moved next to the Adelphi purely for that part? To do and understudy out of his right, he's moved into expensive central London on the offchance Lee is ill? Well that is commitment, but on the other hand wouldn't it be simpler to simply be a leading man in his own show? No. Why? Because he isn't good enough to get his own leading man role perhaps, it seems he needs to keep leeching off ALW. I don't blame him, it's a cut throat business. This whole disgraceful topic really boils down to what's right and wrong.