Watch Any Dream Will Do

Any Dream Will Do was a reality television show that aired on BBC One in 2007. The show was produced by the famous English composer and theatre producer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Bill Kenwright. The main concept of the show was to find a new, young actor to play the lead role of Joseph in the West End production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The show followed a format similar to other reality TV talent shows, like American Idol or The Voice. Thousands of hopefuls auditioned for the show by sending in videos of themselves singing Anything Goes, one of the audition songs, and attending the live auditions, which took place across the UK. From the pool of hopefuls, 12 men were selected to compete in the televised competition.

The contestants of Any Dream Will Do lived together in a house called 'Joseph's mansion' and competed in weekly musical theatre challenges designed to test their singing, acting, and dancing abilities. Each week, the contestants would rehearse and perform a musical number for the live studio audience and the judges, including Denise van Outen and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The judges provided feedback and critiques to the contestants, which could make or break their chances of moving on to the next round.

The show was not just about competition, however. Throughout the series, viewers were given a glimpse into the emotional and personal lives of the contestants. The contestants opened up about their past experiences, family backgrounds, and revealed how much being cast as Joseph would mean to them.

There were many memorable moments during the series, such as the episode where the contestants were challenged to perform the hit song 'Time Warp' from The Rocky Horror Show, or the episode where the contestants had to perform a song chosen by a family member. One of the most memorable moments of the series was in the final episode, where the final two contestants, Ben James-Ellis and Keith Jack, performed a duet of "This Dream" from the musical.

As the show progressed, the competitions and challenges became more intense and demanding. The contestants were given group and solo performances, and were faced with the challenge of learning an entire musical number in a matter of days. Behind-the-scenes footage showed the contestants struggling with learning lines and choreography, staying up late rehearsing, and bonding with their fellow contestants.

Throughout the series, Andrew Lloyd Webber remained deeply invested in the process of finding the right Joseph for his production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He provided guidance, advice, and was often seen helping the contestants practice their performances. There were also guest judges, including Sir Tim Rice, who provided insight and critiques to the contestants' performances.

In the final episode of the series, the remaining contestants performed their final solo performances, in front of a live studio audience and the judges. After a tense moment of deliberation, Andrew Lloyd Webber announced Ben James-Ellis as the winner of the show, and the new Joseph. Ben had won over the judges and audiences alike with his powerful and charismatic performances throughout the show.

Overall, Any Dream Will Do was an emotional and entertaining show that captured the hearts of audiences throughout the UK. It provided a platform for talented young performers to showcase their skills, and showed the hard work and dedication required to make it in the musical theatre industry. For fans of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the show was an exciting glimpse into the process of casting the lead role of such an iconic production.