StephenGately puts on his coat of many colours by Gail Campbell-Thomson, icNorth West BOYZONE star Stephen Gately is set to take a break from the studio in order to make his acting debut in Liverpool. The Irish singing superstar has been cast as Joseph in the Christmas production of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the newly refurbished Empire theatre. Liverpool impresario Bill Kenwright is the man behind this new incarnation of the phenomenally successful Tim Rice-Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, now well into its twentieth touring year. The show has been completely re-staged in what Kenwright describes as: "A whole new beginning in Liverpool and a new beginning for the Empire" The musical will run for a month before transferring to the West End in the New Year. Kenwright was also said to be: "thrilled that Stephen Gately is turning his back on his recording career, just for Liverpool". Gately - who can only be seen in the Liverpool run of Joseph - had been busy with his solo career which has flourished since he left Boyzone three years ago, but the temptation of the stage was too great to turn down. He is "delighted" to be undertaking his first leading role, and added: "The bottom line is I want to be on the stage and singing - that is what my whole life is about. It is in my blood, I could never give it up". Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opens at the Empire from December 16 2002 to January 18 2003. Times: Mon - Fri 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sat 5pm & 8pm Tickets: £25, £22.50, £20, £15 (Concs available) Ticketmaster: 0870 606 3536 Group Booking: 0151 708 3232
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Boyzone star is city's Joseph Aug 30 2002 by Joe Riley, Liverpool Echo BOYZONE star Stephen Gately has put his pop career on hold to make his acting debut in Liverpool. The Dublin-born singer, who is to star in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Empire Theatre this Christmas, said: "I still want to be on stage and singing. That is what my whole life is about. "It's in my blood. I could never give it up. So playing Joseph is ideal." Liverpool impresario Bill Kenwright is re-launching the vintage 60s Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber musical with a completely new production for a West End transfer. Today, Stephen Gately said he didn't know whether he would be in the London show, but a Christmas season in Liverpool was "just as good." The 26-year-old heart-throb who made personal headlines in 1999 by declaring he was gay, said: "Being back in Liverpool is tremendous. "I can instantly recall the concerts we did here with Boyzone. "Now I am looking forward to spending more time here. "I intend to take the opportunity to have a good look around. "I also have a couple of friends in Liverpool, so it will be good to catch up with them too." One of Stephen's last visit's to Liverpool was to open the Odeon cinema at Switch Island, Netherton. But he says his acting debut is particularly important:"I have always loved musicals and Joseph is a great show." The new production opens at the Empire on December 16. |
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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Musical) Musical: The Story of Joseph and his coat of many colours from the bible. Lots of good songs in many different styles make for a really enjoyable evening. Originally written, much shorter, for a school production it continues to be performed by both amateur and professional groups and enjoyed a major revival in the West End, on tour (Philip Schofield) and back in London in the mid 1990s. Technicolor is a trade mark of Technicolor Inc. |
