Having been gripped by the BBC battle that had my friends and I clutching the arms of the sofa and spilling ridiculous amounts of red wine on white soft furnishings for the past few months, it was a pleasure to finally speak to the man who emerged triumphant. Granted, I had to wait about three days to catch Lee Mead. As his PA called me up for the twentieth time and explained that he’d just been dragged in another direction by another film crew, I was beginning to think I’d never get to tell Lee, phone to phone, how it was my vote that pushed him over the finish line – (although clearly the 7 million people who’ve been rooting for him had a say, too).
It’s all been Go-Go-Go for our new Joseph, so how’s the West End’s latest steak-eating sex symbol dealing with it all?
“Well it’s all a bit mad really, I’m rehearsing 10-7pm and I have to fit the gym in too….” (That’s for the loin-cloth, ladies). “On the Sunday after the final, I recorded the pop video for the single which was amazing - all a bit surreal - and I’ve just gone straight into rehearsals with the cast.”
The single is a recording of Any Dream Will Do, with the B side a version of Close Every Door featuring all three finalists. What’s it like to have a single out within a week of winning the show?
“It’s great, and all the proceeds are going to Children in Need so it’s just nice to be able to do this for charity. I’ve done some charity recording before, back in college, but Any Dream Will Do is at number 18 in the charts already through downloads, and went on sale in the shops yesterday. I don’t know what I’ll do if it makes number one!”
Throw a big party perhaps? Although there’s probably no time for that these days. Tell us more about the rehearsals – how are you working to become the next Joseph in such a short space of time?
“Yeah it’s not long – the first preview is the 6th of July and then we open on the 17th! We’ve all been learning the score for a few months though, so now it’s just really learning the stage directions and trying to put a stamp on the role. I’ve played lead roles before, Chris in Miss Saigon and Raoul in Phantom, but I was the understudy, so it was always like I had to give the role back – it was never really mine. Now, playing Joseph I can figure out little ways to make it my own. It takes time to find your feet. I just saw the theatre too, yesterday. They’re building the sets at the moment. There’s going to be a huge story book that opens out - it looks amazing actually!”
So how are you dealing with this new-found fame? Have there been any highlights?
“Well, it’s all a bit new really, and I’ve been to so many places and had people be nice to me, and sort of look up to me, which I find really funny ‘cause I’m just a down to earth guy from Essex! It’s important to stay who I am because you never know how long it’s all going to last. Singing with Josh Groban was incredible, he’s a great guy, and I met Brian Connolly the other day, he’s a really funny bloke, as a person and not just on the telly, and I’ve had a few invites. I got an invite to 02 Wireless Festival last weekend but it was Father’s Day so I went home - thought I’d better see my Dad!"
Sounds like you’ve got your head screwed on then!
“Well, I was never in it for the fame at all, I was already pretty established in the business and had been working really hard, but when this show came up I thought, well I’d always wanted to play Joseph, so I went for it. To be honest I never thought I’d win. I wanted the role more than anything – I saw it when I was about 9 or 10 with my mum and dad and absolutely loved the show. I was in a South End touring production of Joseph, playing the Pharoah and I thought I had the dedication and background to be in with a good chance at Joseph, but no, I didn’t think I’d really win. I thought Daniel was my main competition!”
Are you still in touch with the other guys? And do you think Andrew Lloyd Webber will sort them out with other roles, seeing as they were all so popular?
“Ah, it’s funny ‘cause we never really spent much time with Andrew until the last two weeks – he’d come in and do the panel and then go off somewhere. But towards the end we all flew to Majorca and had dinner with him. I was kind of scared of him you know, but really respectful - he’s a really nice chap, really passionate about theatre and I think he inspired us all. As for the boys I’ve not spoken to them lately as it’s all been such a whirlwind and we don’t know what’s going to happen. But after How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria the girls all found roles in other things and most of them are doing well – I guess you have to wait and see what comes up."
Perhaps you could do a swap with Danny B and be in Grease for a while, do you think?
“Ha, well I don’t know, that would be cool. I actually auditioned for the role of Danny, but I think Joseph’s more me. It’s the role I’ve always wanted."
So what do you think about all these TV reality shows giving people instant fame – do you think it could be bad for the theatre industry – doesn’t it give the impression that you might not have to work as hard as you should do to achieve your dreams?
“I think there are two sides to these TV things, it depends on the program. I never wanted to go on the X Factor or anything but this was so, so classy, and a good platform for someone to be noticed, and to make it. I mean I had a decent background already… it’s really down to the person to show what they can do after the show. That’s what really counts.”
Your life must be so strange at the moment! How do your friends and family feel about your success?
“I’ve met my friends for a couple of drinks after rehearsals and stuff – they’re really supportive of me and very proud. They, and my whole family have seen me through the whole journey, from acting at school and college to the theatre, and now this. Yeah, they're just really proud.”
So once your head’s stopped spinning, what are your plans for the future? Any aspirations to act on the big screen? Maybe you could be a pop star, seeing as your single is doing so well!?
“I'm not sure about a pop-star! I would like to do films and TV perhaps, but my passion has always been musicals so I’m just really lucky to be able to do it. I’ve done some directing before, on a smaller scale, but I don’t really know. I’m just taking it all as it comes I suppose, and hoping Joseph will be a success!”
Book your tickets to Joseph from lastminute.com - from £22.50
And download the single 'Any Dream Will Do' for Children in Need
Lee - please please release 'Paint it Black' as a single.
Posted by: Dawn | 23/06/2007 at 10:07 AM
Lee is the best
Posted by: noname | 05/08/2007 at 09:37 AM
I think Lee Mead is an incredibly talented performer- mainly his singing voice is so sensitive but also so powerful, his acting is superb, and he moves and dances well.
He has total commitment to whatever he is performing and makes it so totally believable. He IS Joseph to perfection. Every performance he did in Any Dream will do was fantastic.
He has bags of charisma, and is totally captivating on the stage too, and is a lovely guy to all his fans too. Can he be anymore perfect? I cannot get enough of his amazing talent, which seems to have burst into the world this year. His fan club will soar. He is a mega superstar.
Posted by: Janlee | 13/08/2007 at 11:02 AM
Lee- It is SO great that you are doing Children in Need, plus visiting sick children in Great Ormond Street Hospital.
You obviously love children enormously which is fantastic, as it is great to have fun with kids and to cheer them up. I know you would brighten up anyone's day like rays of sunshine.
I was concerned to hear that a bug is going round the cast at the Adelphi- but I am praying that you will be protected from this, as I would not want any of you to be unwell, and it to spoil anyone of your enjoyment of doing the show. We the audience all love it too.
I went to see Orlando Bloom in his show with the kites on the tickets, and as I had a very bad cold start that morning, it made me feel more ill and tired, and I did NOT bloom at all in the bloomin' show. The same day I headed with my ticket for the Adelphi,to see Joseph, and as I did so I began to bloom and bloom, as the whole show makes me feel so good and so happy.
However, I kept my distance from you outside, as I did not want you to get my cold, although I think I did see a slight sneeze when you were on stage, so please look after yourself.
Posted by: Janlee | 10/09/2007 at 05:08 PM
hes so sexy,i'll keep on dreaming
Posted by: emma holder | 10/09/2007 at 06:57 PM
i think lee is soooooooooo fit if u want 2 write a letter where do u write it to
Posted by: georgia | 15/09/2007 at 09:51 AM