Reality War - Simon Cowell vs Andrew Lloyd Weber
- Posted on January 1, 2007 8:27 AM
- 0 comments
Just when you thought you'd seen the back end of crap reality TV shows, another two raise their aerial topped heads. First we had Sonia Friedman's public search for a fresh new West End playwright in Channel 4's The Play's the Thing. Then we saw the screens of the nation come alive with the sound of musicals - literally. How do you Solve a Problem Like Maria? saw hundreds of hopefuls battle it out for the role of the West End production of the much loved The Sound of Music.
Whether you loved it, hated it or sat through it because the other half made you, ratings show that the concept of publicly searching for a West End star has proven popular. If nothing else, reality TV reaches potential new theatre virgins and hits box office tills where it tingles.
There will be two reality TV shows in 2007 to find the lead roles in Grease and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Even reality TV bad boy Simon Cowell is in on the act... he'll use ITV1, as the springboard for a series searching for the roles of Sandy and Danny. Just what we need, another chick flick-come musical in London. If you're planning a hen's night for next summer you may well be in luck. Theatre producer David Ian, who appeared on How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? will join Cowell as the lead judge. He will also produce the West End show in partnership with Paul Nicholas. Brave man. Let's just hope Chico doesn't audition... I'm having very unsettling premonitions.
Not to be outdone by an ageing man in ultra high black trousers, Andrew Lloyd Webber brings us another reality TV show, called Any Dream Will Do. This BBC 1 baby will search for a Joseph, a girl to play the narrator and a Pharaoh/Elvis, for a new West End production of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. All we need now is Graham Norton... what, you can't be serious - yes, the Cheshire cat of TV will host the whole shebang.
Pass the remote control and keep your eye on the trashy tabloids. The winners don't know what they're in for.
Are you auditioning? We want to hear from you! Post a comment and tell us all about it.
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