Shane Crawford to be replaced in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
AFL legend Shane Crawford has been subbed out of his debut role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Entertainment
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The musical theatre star replacing Shane Crawford in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat has praised the AFL legend for putting his “heart and soul” into the role.
Trevor Ashley will play Crawford’s role, The Pharaoh, when Joseph moves to Sydney in February.
Ashley will also play Pharaoh from December 27 to January 1 at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre while Crawford is away due to pre-existing commitments.
Crawford will return to the show on January 4.
Ashley says he intends to make The Pharaoh, a cameo role with seven minutes on stage, a showstopper.
“I’ll bring a lot of comedy to the role,” Ashley said. “Normally it’s a sex symbol character, which I am not, so I’ll bring stupidity instead.
“I’m working with the choreographer who’s tailored the whole number around me. We’ll make it a big moment. They know I can make a showstopper happen.”
Ashley said he will veer from the “sex symbol” and “Elvis Presley” spirit of the role, adding: “There’s still be a bit of Elvis there, but it’s Elvis after he ate all those burgers.”
Joseph marks Crawford’s musical theatre debut.
The Hawks great, Brownlow medallist and AFL premiership player took on the Pharaoh role as a “new challenge” to help him “jump back into life.”
But some critics have savaged his performance.
Ashley said: “The Joseph cast have great respect for him and think he’s fantastic.
“Saying yes to opportunities where you are out of your comfort zone is always amazing. It’s also amazing that (Crawford) has taken the challenge and put his heart and soul into it.”
Crawford has also received support for his brave move to the stage from theatre stars including Rob Mills and Paulini Curuenavuli.
“(Crawford) puts everything into what he does,” Mills said. “You cannot fault this man’s tenacity an dedication to anything. He’s a proper performer.”
Curuenavuli said: “I knew he would be good, but Shane has gone above and beyond what I expected.
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