Keith Jack

Keith Jack (born 2 March 1988) is a British actor and singer. He was the runner-up on the BBC reality talent show Any Dream Will Do, which offered the chance to be the next West End Joseph for the hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. He lost out to Lee Mead in the final on 9 June 2007.

Early life

Before his appearances on Any Dream Will Do he was studying performance skills in Edinburgh and an HNC in Musical Theatre at Telford College also in Edinburgh.^[1] Since winning the 2006 Chicago Rock Café Rock Idol contest, held in the English West Midlands, he has been a student of celebrity vocal coach Carrie Grant, best known for belonging to Sweet Dreams, which came sixth in the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest and working on UK television talent contests, including Fame Academy, Comic Relief does Fame Academy and Pop Idol.^[2][3][4] Keith Jack attended St. David's High School in Dalkeith where he performed in various Christmas concerts and other precarious events.

Any Dream Will Do

Since the start of Any Dream Will Do, Keith Jack was noted as a strong contender. His vocals, in particular, were praised very highly. The main criticisms thrown at him were his diction and his physical appearance: some judges thought he looked 'too young' to play Joseph. However, by the end of the series, Keith was widely regarded as the strongest singer on the programme. John Barrowman and vocal coach Zoe Tyler in particular were full of praise. Barrowman said: "That was brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, son! You have a voice of gold."^[5] Tyler commented: "When I hear you sing now, you knock me for six."^[6] Denise van Outen described Keith as a "Young John Barrowman", while Bill Kenwright called Keith's talents "frightening". The panel was particularly impressed with his performances of "Love Is All Around", "Always on My Mind," "Could It Be Magic" and "For Once in My Life".

After Any Dream Will Do

'The Stage Quest student and former supermarket worker performed at 30 June 2007's Picnic in the Parliament concert outside Scotland's national assembly. "As my first performance since the final, I am proud it will be not only in Scotland but on a day celebrating Scottish talent,” the Scottish Parliament's website quoted him as saying.^[7]

On 28 June 2007, The Scotsman published an article stating that Keith was entering a record deal with Louis Walsh, the fruition of which was to be an album of pop, classical and theatrical music.^[8] Alas this was not meant to be, and Keith asked Adam Quest (StageQuest), his mentor and vocal coach of some 14 months to try to broker a new recording deal on his behalf. Within a week Keith was signed to John Mclaughlin's (Sandy Tomm, Busted, 911, Attic Lights, Teenage Fanclub) record label X-Phonics in Glasgow.

From October 2007, Keith has been in Bill Kenwright's national touring production of Joseph, starring as the Narrator, alongside fellow Any Dream Will Do contestants Craig Chalmers (who will be playing Joseph) and Chris Barton (who will be playing Benjamin). For some matinees, Chris Barton plays the narrator or Joseph.

Keith Jack recorded his debut album early in 2008. A charity single of "When a Child is Born" was released via download on 10 December 2007. "If an Angel falls from Heaven" was available to download from 8 December 2008. Keith will be recording his next album during the early months of 2009.^[9]

In August 2008, Keith performed in the premier of the musical Only the Brave at the Edinburgh Festival.^[10] In June 2008 he performed in the "Choices for Life" tour, which is for children in Primary 7 across Scotland. Also in June 2008 Keith Jack performed at Bo'ness Children's Fair Day

His debut CD was released on 22 September and entitled This Time. He toured England and Scotland in September and October 2008 to promote the album. He also sang "Uptown Girl" with Daniel Boys and Ben James-Ellis on John Barrowman's album Music Music Music.

December 2008 through to January 2009 saw Keith in Panto playing the title role in Peter Pan alongside Alan Fletcher ( Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours) at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. He also met Derek Anderson at this venue.

Also, on 31 December 2008, Keith performed for half an hour at the Aberdeen Hogmanay Street Party, alongside Sandi Thom and Amy McDonald.

A second tour followed in late summer 2009. When Lee Mead's Contract expired, Keith was asked if he wanted to take over. He rejected the offer and continued to tour with Chris and Craig.

Keith performed as part of Showstopppers! at Musical Theatre @ George Square as part of the Edinburgh Fringe on 17 August 2009.

Keith performed in panto at the Kings Theatre, Glasgow in 2009 as Aladdin.

At Croydon Saturday 17 July 2010 at the 2pm Show Keith took over the coloured coat from Craig and began his Debut Performance as Joseph.

From 2 December - 8 January 2011 Keith played The Prince In the Kings Theatre, Glasgow production of Sleeping Beauty.

In 2012 Keith played Joseph in the UK tour opposite Jennifer Potts as narrator.

From December 18 - January 6 2013, Keith played Prince Charming in Cinderella at the Whitely Bay Playhouse.

Keith finally hung up the 'Dreamcoat' in May 2013 after 6 on and off years in the musical. He has passed the role on to Ian "H" Watkins from Steps (group). Since moving on from Joseph, it was announced that Keith would be returning to the stage leading a brand new Musical Sincerely, Mr Toad with Sell A Door Theatre Company^[11]

Performances on Any Dream Will Do

Show One- "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen

Show Two- "Who Am I" by Will Young

Show Three- "Crocodile Rock" by Elton John

Show Four- "Love Is All Around" by Wet Wet Wet

Show Five- "Always on My Mind" by Willie Nelson

Show Six - "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison as well as "That's Life" by Frank Sinatra (group number; performed with Ben Ellis and Lewis Bradley)

Show Seven- "Let Me Entertain You" by Robbie Williams

Semi Final- "Could It Be Magic" by Barry Manilow and "Only You" from the musical Starlight Express (duet; performed with Ben Ellis)

Final- "For Once in My Life" by Stevie Wonder, "Moondance" by Van Morrison and "Always on My Mind" (encore).^[12]

References

1. "Any Dream Will Do - Keith profile". BBC.
9. http://keithjack.com/
10. "Only the Brave, the Musical - Official Website".
11. Bosanquet, Theo (6 June 2013). "Keith Jack stars in new musical about life of Kenneth Grahame". What's on Stage. Retrieved 22 July 2014.