Chalmers wins his Joseph colours

JOSEPH had a dream and so did Craig Chalmers and Keith Jack. Joseph's involved being reunited with his wayward brothers and adoring father, Chalmers' and Jack's in bringing Joseph's story to life - as anyone who watched the BBC reality series Any Dream Will Do knows only too well.

Both failed to win the coveted starring role on London's West End, but for Chalmers at least, the dream of donning Joseph's fabled coat has come true, as audiences at the Edinburgh Playhouse will discover when the hit musical Joseph And His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat drops in next week for a festive run.

Based on the biblical story, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's retelling has long been a children's favourite.

Told by a narrator - played in the current production by former Dalkeith shelf stacker Jack - the story of Joseph and his 11 brothers unfolds in a mix of music and dance.

The favourite son of Jacob, Joseph is resented by his brothers who decide to kill him. Instead, however, they sell him into slavery and he is taken to Egypt - the brothers tell their father his favourite son is dead.

In Egypt, Joseph is taken as a slave by Potiphar, a powerful man. When Potiphar's wife tries to seduce Joseph Potiphar condemns him to prison where he meets two of Pharaoh's servants and interprets their dreams, correctly telling their future.

When Pharaoh hears of this he engages Joseph's services and offers him a post in his government. Later, when famine hits Joseph's family in Canaan they are ill-prepared and are forced to travel to Egypt to beg for food. But will Joseph help them? And will Jacob be reunited with his beloved son?

For 25-year-old Chalmers, the show is the big break he has dreamed of since his first stage appearance in a school musical at the age of 16.

The Edinburgh-born singer, who attended Carricknowe Primary and Craigmount High, recalls, "I've always loved singing, right from an early age, but at high school I did a show called Show-stoppers - I sang R Kelly's I Believe I Can Fly. That was my first experience of being on a big stage and the start of the dream."

However, attempting to fulfil that dream quickly taught Chalmers that success can be illusive.

"I got to the final of Pop Idol in 2003, was in a boyband and even performed at ladies nights," he says. "In fact, just before appearing on Any Dream Will Do I was really beginning to think that it might never happen.

"There were times when I found myself getting changed in grotty toilets and then singing in little social clubs where no one was really listening. I would think, 'Am I going to get beyond this or is this it for the rest of my career?"

Thankfully, along came Any Dream Will Do and the offer of the lead role in the current tour from West End producer Bill Kenwright. "He asked for a meeting after the final TV show at which I was lucky enough to discover that he thought I was the right Joseph for the tour - something I definitely see as my big break."

At the Playhouse Chalmers and Jack will be joined by another Any Dream Will Do finalist, Chris Barton, who will take on the role of Benjamin.

Featuring unforgettable songs like Close Every Door To Me and One More Angel, previous tours have already proved a hit with Capital audiences, however, this time around the demand for tickets has been unprecedented forcing producers to extend the original four week run by and additional 12 performances.

"I can't imagine how I'm going to feel come opening night at the Playhouse," says Chalmers. "It's going to be a very emotional homecoming. I've missed Edinburgh a lot and it's going to be weird to come home and see my posters all over the place."

• Joseph And His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place, Monday-January 13, various times, £9.50-£27.50, 08448 471 660

Win tickets to the Hogmanay Street Party

Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street Party attracts nearly 100,000 revellers from all over the world and this year you and your friends could be joining in the fun, free of charge, as The Guide has teamed up with Edinburgh's Hogmanay to give ten lucky readers the chance to win four Street Party passes each.

Featuring three stages of live music, a spectacular view of the fireworks and an electric atmosphere, this year's Hogmanay party will once again be one of the biggest on the planet.

On the Waverley Stage, King Creosote will lead a line-up that includes ethno-techno dance group Trans-Global Underground and guitar pop from up- and-coming Figure 5.

Scotland's Red Hot Chilli Pipers will join forces with British Asian fusion band Kismet and Go Lem System from Barcelona on the Scott Monument Stage.

Meanwhile, the Great Calverto, Peter Hook's DJ set and hip-hop band TM Hands will entertain on the Mound Stage. All stages come alive at 10pm.

For those seeking an indoor alternative there will be the first-ever Hoog, an indoor party, with three stages of live music and two dancefloors.

Held in the Assembly Rooms on George Street, The Hoog will bring the new year in with ceilidh bands Belle Star Band and Teannich, followed by bopping into the wee small hours to the funky beats by the DJs.

Chill out rooms, hot food and cash bars will also operate all night. Doors open at 7.30pm and the party finishes at 2am.

• To win a batch of four Street Party passes simply e-mail your name, age and contact telephone number to [e-mail] with the word STREET in the subject line. Usual Evening News rules apply.

• Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street Party Passes (£5) and Party Packs (£20), are available at the box office in East Princes Street Gardens. The Hoog tickets are available from www.thehoog.co.uk and cost £50. For full details visit www.edinburghshogmanay.com