Before the Adelphi has even opened its doors for the first preview of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the show has extended its booking period. Originally billed as playing a limited season until January, the biblical musical is now taking bookings until 7 June 2008. The first preview of the show is not held until tomorrow night, when Lee Mead performs the role of Joseph for the first time. Mead meets the press on 17 July.
The interest surrounding Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has built since April, when Any Dream Will Do, the televised search for a new star to play the eponymous dreamer, was first seen on BBC1. The show became a Saturday evening hit and millions of viewers voted Mead their number one Joseph. It was recently announced that Craig Chalmers, who came fifth in the contest, will also be playing Joseph, though he will don the famously colourful jacket in the touring production.
Another musical extending its London stay is Fiddler On The Roof, which has added five more weeks to its run at the Savoy. Fans of Henry Goodman and the tale of a family torn between progress and tradition in Tsarist Russia, now have until 3 November to see the production that transferred after a successful run in Sheffield.
The Pain And The Itch, the American satire by Bruce Norris currently running at the Royal Court Downstairs, has also announced an extension to its current run. The production starring Matthew Macfadyen now runs until 4 August, two weeks longer than previously planned. .
MA