Donning the world’s most famous coat is a dream come true for Joe McElderry. The X Factor winner is playing the title role in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and, despite it being his first major theatrical appearance, his performance has earned him top reviews and standing ovations up and down the country.
“Yes, it’s the first big role I’ve played but I’m on the third run of the tour now so it’s not quite as intimidating now because I’v learned a lot over the months,” the South Shields lad smiles.
“I was daunted at first, wondering if I could do it and if the audience enjoy my performance,” he admits.
But Joe, now 26, is no stranger to success. Just 18 when he won the sixth series of The X Factor, having been mentored by Cheryl Cole, he beat off fierce competition from Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon.
He soared to number one on the UK singles charts with his rendition of Miley Cyrus’s The Climb and his debut album Wide Awake went straight in at number three on the albums chart. He has since gone on to have two more top 10 albums, becoming the first X Factor star to release four albums.
And what’s more, Joe is also the first and only celebrity to win three reality TV shows; he was crowned the winner of the second series of ITV’s Popstar to Operastar before strapping on his skis and slaloming his way to become champion of Channel 4’s celebrity ski competition The Jump in 2014.
Since its inception over 36 years ago, Bill Kenwright’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s family musical has now sold around 20 million tickets.
The show retells the biblical story about Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours sings out to young and old alike with a score which is crammed wall to wall with hits, including Jacob and Sons, Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do.
Admitting that he thrives off an audience, Joe can’t wait to come to Dunfermline, a city he’s never visited before.
“Because the show is on for a few days, I’m really hoping to be able to get out and about to explore Scotland’s old capital,” he says.
“I love playing in Scotland because audiences have always been very supportive. They’re very similar to audiences in the north of England where I come from – they get up and join in and have a good time.”
Despite the intense schedule of 10 shows a week, Joe loves every minute of touring. “As a solo artist I’m used to doing shows through the week but playing Joseph is just amazing and the music is fantastic full stop,” he continues.
“It’s such an emotional, uplifting, positive and dynamic show – and that makes it so easy for the audience to enjoy.”
www.alhambradunfermline.com
