Gately Joseph Chooses New London Opening, 3 MarDate: 21 January 2003
As previously reported (See News, 2 Sep 2002), Boyzone's Stephen Gately will make his West End debut in the title role of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Following an extensive tour, the musical transfers back to the West End next month, now confirmed - after some venue to-ing and fro-ing - to open at Cats's former home, the New London theatre, on 3 March 2003, following previews from 19 February.
Gately made his theatrical stage debut in the part last month, officially taking over from 16 December 2002 at the Liverpool Empire. For seven years in the 1990s, Gately was a member of Irish group Boyzone, one of the most successful boybands in UK chart history. The band reached the top three in the charts with every one of their first 14 singles. Their many hits included "Love Me for a Reason", "When You Say Nothing at All, "Baby Can I Hold You" and "No Matter What" from another Lloyd Webber musical, Whistle Down the Wind.
Prior to Boyzone, Gately had been modelling and acting since the age of 16. In 1999, he made headlines for announcing to the press that he was gay. He soon after launched a solo career with a single and album titled "Billy Elliott". Amongst his various accolades, he has been named "Irish Personality of the Year" and "Hero of '99".
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was the first-ever collaboration between Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice. It started life in 1968 as a 20-minute entertainment for an end-of-term school concert. The musical went on to huge success in the West End and on Broadway and on tours throughout the world. Its score includes "Any Dream Will Do", "Close Ev'ry Door to Me" and "One More Angel".
The musical was last seen in the West End in the early 1990s, when it ran for more than two years at the London Palladium, taking over £47 million at the box office and bringing huge stage success for its Josephs - Philip Schofield and Jason Donovan.
The current production is presented by Bill Kenwright and will be initially be booking at the New London up to 19 July 2003. Booking opens this weekend.
- by Terri Paddock
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