Stage interview: Craig Chalmers in Joseph
Despite losing out to Lee Mead, Craig Chalmers has been playing Joseph around regional theatres for more than a year.
"It's been a hard slog but I'm really enjoying it," says the 27-year-old Scot.
"It's been a great experience over the last year and a half being able to do the Any Dream Will Do programme and then go on to play Joseph for such a long time."
But musical theatre wasn't his first choice.
"I kind of came from a pop background," he says.
"I used to do my own gigs around Scotland, ladies' nights, and holiday parks, singing pop songs and classic cabaret. I was also on Pop Idol in 2003 and in a boy band in 2004 up in Scotland. We had a minor hit up there. It was nothing to write home about but I performed alongside Blue, Sugababes and Girls Aloud. So I've had a very colourful career so far."
Earlier this year he released the album Dream On, a collection of show tunes and pop covers featuring other runners-up from Any Dream Will Do. Tunes like My Girl, No Matter What, Can't Help Falling In Love and All I Have To Do Is Dream. And there's another one in the offing. And it'll be more of the same.
He's already recorded a duet with fellow finalist Antony Hansen (he plays Pharaoh in Joseph) for a single, a slowed down version of Herman's Hermits' I'm Into Something Good.
No, it's not the sort of music Chalmers is into.
"I like my R&B and hip-hop really. I'm singing musical theatre all week so it's nice to get a bit of a break at the weekend and listen to something I've kind of grown up with.
"Joseph is so, all genteel and happy happy it's nice to listen to something a bit different."
Such as Ne-Yo and Chris Brown and a bit of Nickelback.
Does he go to gigs?
"I don't really get a chance."
He does but he chooses to see theatre.
"I was off on Sunday and I took my girlfriend in to London to see a show called Stomp."
Turns out he doesn't really do gigs.
"It's not really been part of my culture. I've never been one to go out to see gigs. I've always bought CDs I like and sing along at home."
His girlfriend works in marketing in Birmingham and sees him at weekends wherever he may be.
"We did a shoot for OK! magazine and we got a six page spread.
"She liked all that.
"Her mum walks about with OK! magazine to show all her friends."
Chalmers hasn't been to Nottingham before but reckons on a night out while here.
"I'm from Edinburgh and a lot of my mates are coming down to Nottingham one weekend that I'm there."
Why?
"There's something on like a marathon or a fun run. Either that or a poker night."
He's already booked his digs, a flat near the Theatre Royal.
Doesn't someone do that for you?
"We get a touring allowance and if you want to spend more or less then it's up to you."
So you could sleep in a doorway for the two-week run and pocket the cash?
"It's nearly happened a couple of times to some of the cast because they've not been organised."
For performance times and ticket details see listings.
Listen to more of the interview at thisisnottingham.co.uk/entertainment
simon.wilson@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
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