Craig Chalmers continues to play Joseph, but Kenwright has signed Antony Hansen (Any Dream Will Do) as the Pharoh from 2 June, and Tara Bethan (I'd Do Anything) as the Narrator from the same date.

Thought Tara was awful on IDA, so will be giving this one a miss when it arrives in Wimbledon in October

I saw Tamara in Hull and I thought she was fantastic as the narrator, and I really didn't like her on IDA.
Antony Hansen was terrible as the Pharaoh - he lacked charisma, and vocal range. I thought his voice was going to crack any minute, and he looked more comfortable playing one of the brothers.

agree, Tara is a great Narrator and far superior than when we saw her on 'i'd do anything' she seems to be suited to this role and has a great stage presence and voice too. As for Craig Chalmers, the role is too demanding for him and simply cannot cope with the vocal demands of 'close every door' he lacks charisma, stage presence and doesn't make the role his own - i've nothing against his accent but it tends to come out too much in his singing for my liking, can't see him lasting very long once all the hype is over!

I totally agree with your comments about Craig Chalmers. What Bill Kenwright sees in him I'll never know. Tara is great as Narrator although I'll admit I didn't like her in IDA and wasn't expecting to like her in this. I haven't yet seen Antony Hansen as Pharaoh but Hull was his first show in the role so I'm prepared to cut him a bit of slack. I might change my mind once I've seen him though.

Incidentally three others in the current touring cast were involved in ADWD: Alistair Brammer, Simon Murphy and Neil Moors all went to Joseph School. When you consider that Chris Barton and Keith Jack have just left the tour (as well as Gianni Onori who also went to Joseph School) Bill Kenwright has certainly got his moneys worth out of that show.

I saw Joseph in Aberdeen last night and was really disappointed by Craig. I was really sad when I missed him when the show lsat came to Aberdeen but I saw Chris Barton as Joseph instead and having now seen them both Chris was much much better in the part. Craig was such a disappointment.

It does sound like the last poster has been to see it rather a lot of times! ........Why?

I haven't actually seen it at all myself, so won't comment on the show per se, but did hear Craig Chalmers singing "Close every door" on the radio when Bill Kenwright was on. And it really wasn't good enough. So that certainly didn't inspire me to rush off to see it. So when the poster above didn't think much of him either, why repeat it?

I saw Joseph in Oxford last night. Local boy Antony Hansen has just taken over as pharoah. He looks the part and so does Craig but Tara was the star of the show as narrator.

I have just recently seen joseph Tara was really good as Narator.
Antony was perfect as pharoah. He was fun to watch.
I had heard from a few people that Craig wasn't as good as expected as Joseph. I love the musical and didn't know what to expect.
When i saw the show Alistair brammer was playing Joseph. I thought he was FANTASTIC. I really want to go back and see the show again.
He has an amazing voice, he looked like he was really enjoying himself on stage. When the audience responded to him he had a smile that was so big. It lit up his whole face.
Also i have to mention how good Alistair looks in a loincloth. He has a great body.

Sep 10th: Just caught Alistair Brammer as Joseph at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle. A perfect performance.

I was at this show and having seen craig previously. Alistair was much stronger as joseph in my opinion and has a great stage presense and a fantastic voice. Close every door was v.moving

I was part of the choir.
I thought Antony Hansen was a fantastic pharaoh, he had the voice, look, everything. Craig however was disappointing, and apparently from the front he really lacked enthusiasm and it was more than obvious he could not wait for the show to end! Although Alistair Brammer was very good.
The narrator I thought was great, although they had brought the vocals down from before, which I do not think was an improvement.

Overall though, I thought it was fantastic, and the brothers were incredible!

I have to disagree about Antony Hansen. He's got the look without a doubt but I question whether or not he's got the voice. He handles Song of the King ok but always sounded appalling during King of my Heart. I hear they have dropped it from the tour now and I can't say I'm surprised.

I agree entirely with your comments about Craig. Alistair Brammer is much stronger as Joseph as was Chris Barton before he left the tour.

I have Tickets to see Joseph at the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow - can anyone tell me the cast list please?

Joseph - Craig Chalmers
Narrator - Tara Bethan
Pharaoh - Antony Hansen

The cast is due to change at the end of January.

Apparently Craig is on holiday for a few weeks in February so it was announced that there will be a "special guest" playing the role of Joseph in Craig's absence.

Rumour has it the "special guest" is Antony Hanson currently playing Pharaoh, so not that special after all.

Yes, that rumour is true.
Was apparently posted on Antony's official site. I agree, not so "special" after all.

I saw Craig Chalmers, Keith Jack and Chris Barton in last years tour. I thought they were all quite good.

Thanks for your reply. Saw the show last night, and must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is the fourth time I have seen Joseph, and in my opinion, this production has the best stage sets and lighting yet. Think the weakest link was Antony as Pharoah, so don't fancy him as a Joseph

Have to agree with the last person that Alistair looks AMAZING in a loincloth! Have seen the show twice and Alistair was miles better than Craig! He is an amazing singer, an amazing dancer (though you wouldn't know that from this show) and truly fabulous to look at! Why doesn't he have the peremanent role??

Also have to say that the Pharoah was a complete and utter let down to the show-poor diction and generally all round bad singer. However someone who was better than expected is Tara-she was awesome but I'm afraid to say that Alistair and his crowd stole the show!

Anyone got the tour dates?

The tour dates are on Bill Kenwright's site: http://www.kenwright.com/default.asp?contentID=638

Kenwright has been touring Joseph to death for god knows how many years. Those who can should see the West End show to get a new perspective on it.......!

Joseph is coming to Swindon again this year....and is doing 3 shows on the saturday - does anyone know which one the alternate normally does?

Usually the alternate Joseph does the 2pm performance and the alternate Narator does the 5pm performance. Last time it was in Swindon Chris Barton was both alternate Joseph and alternate Narator so he played Joseph at 2pm, Narrator at 5pm and Benjamin at 8pm

Versatile! I hope Chris B remembered which track he was supposed to be singing at each performance.

Anyway, I'm sure the experience was invaluable - he is now in the cast for Spring Awakening is he not?

Thank you - I am not fussed who the alternate is this time around, but I just was not impressed with Craig last year, so I would rather go for the alternate....

Yep Chris is in Spring Awakening.

I NO THAT NATHEN SCOTT IS THE NEW SWING, SO WILL BE COVERING JOSEPH WHEN ANTONY IS OFF!X

Please don't shout, there's no need for that although I'll refrain from complaining about your innovative spelling.

Are they going to update the website. Its still not been changed to show the latest csat changes. Is Antony still in show after his guest appearances. I really did not think he was up to it as Pharoh.

Erm....the swing does not necessarily cover the leading role...and indeed doesn't in this cast! And having seen Antony play Joseph - wow!!! He is fabulous!

I heard that the new Benjamin will be alternate Joseph

That is correct.

well, i actually thought he was quite good, as i was in the tour of joseph 3 times last year and thought he was goood but not quite as good as when wayne done it x

Does anyone know who the new actor playing Benjamin is?

His name is Sam Cassidy, and he's fantastic!

He really is! I saw the show last night and he was brilliant!

I agree - saw him as Benjamin this week in Eastbourne - would have liked to see him as Joseph!

Cannot remember who she is. Made a good impression on me

I agree - I saw him in Norwich last night and would have much preferred him to play Joseph...!

I saw Sam in Edinburgh last month and was lucky enough to see him as Joseph. I hadn't realised at the time that Craig doesn't do Saturday matinee performances, but turned out to be very pleased that he doesn't as Sam was just awesome. Definitely a star in the making.

I saw him Norwich and he was brilliant and look fab! Wow.

Just got 4 tickets at £8.25 to see this in Sunderland. Half price opening night offer, Row C upper circle centre section. Bargain!

I read Craig Chalmers is staying to January 2010! That's a long run!

is he coming to bristol again?

I saw it and it was so good Sam was joseph and was get.I advice everyone to go and see this.It is funny and fun

Where are they going next?

Joseph is at Sunderland from tomorrow for a week. Am going to the mat on wed and looking forward to seeing
Sam as Joseph. Saw Craig last year and thought he was awful!

I Saw him tonight and agree. Not good. EXTREMELY Nasal and terrible diction. And went Scottish at several points haha. Loved Rachel Louise Miller as the Narrator, she was excellent.

Saw Sam as Joseph yesterday afternoon and he was excellent - so much better than Craig. I agree with previous posters that he is definately a star in the making. Hope to see him in the future after Joseph tour has finished and hope he doesnt disappear as some previous understudies have done.