A NEW show coming to Newbury this autumn will have something old, something new, something borrowed and well, something technicolor, not blue.
Lee Mead, who shot to fame in the BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do, is getting ready to unveil his The Best of Me show, coming to The Corn Exchange on Wednesday, October 25.
He’s speaking a day after the final tracks were laid for one of his new songs, more on which in a bit. It is part of a new EP that is one strand of the show that will also pay tribute to a career that has seen him play Joseph in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical about that chap with his amazing technicolor dreamcoat, and the childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Over the summer, he appeared in a revival of the Queen musical We Will Rock You. Add in shows such as Wicked, Legally Blonde and Chicago, plus regular roles in Casualty and Holby City and you have an impressive career, and a bit of a headache.
For his The Best of Me show features some of his favourite songs, performed with a live band rather than a backing track. No karaoke for Lee.
But with such a long list of songs, has it been hard to whittle them down, or will he follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ken Dodd and Norman Wisdom who gave value for money by performing seemingly never-ending shows.
Lee chuckles.
“I’m a huge fan of Ken Dodd, who I met briefly once years ago, and Norman Wisdom,” he says. “Norman is a massive influence on my career. I’ve actually been asked to play Norman in a feature film.
“They were consummate professionals in the sense that it was all about the audience and not getting off stage quick, but giving them a full show. I’ve grown up on variety and my heroes include Brian Conley… there is an element of that in my show, but it won’t be a midnight finish.”
He is, however, serious about putting on the best evening he possibly can.
“Your own show is your baby really. I think anyone that’s lucky enough to have had their own tours and do their own albums will say it’s a real privilege,” he says. “It’s very, very special to me, because I put my heart and soul into my shows.
“It’s a chance for me not to be a character and play someone else, but just be me and play some wonderful music with some amazing musicians and share some new songs.”
They come from an EP he has been busy compiling, and the show will feature some of them as well as some crowd-pleasers.
“I think Elton John said it’s so important you give the audiences songs they know. For me, obviously, I’m an actor as well as a singer, playing in musicals, pantos and TV roles, so I’m not primarily known for being a recording artist.
“I’d probably be told off if I didn’t sing a Joseph song in the set, but there will a few some lovely new songs. The new single is called The River Flow. We’re hoping to get some radio play with that, I’m so proud of it – it’s a wonderful song and the production sounds amazing.”
It is about relationships, and Lee says the inspiration for it came from the way some relationships don’t let people shine for who they are.
“My mum said she went through it many years ago, before she met my dad. It’s about how a lot of people are in a relationship which can be quite controlling, and sort of hold people back.
“I believe in a relationship, male or female, we should let the other person be who they are.
“The song is a positive song and ultimately about saying, you know, let the river flow, the river of life, let it be what it will be.
“That idea came to me because I’ve met so many people saying they felt so suppressed within this relationship, and I don’t know why my partner is saying these things and holding me back – and in friendships as well.”
Lee has enjoyed bringing the various elements together to create the song, aided by his musical director Adam Dennis – “he writes some wonderful music for so many people”.
“The creative rehearsal process is the most exciting part – finding the character or writing the song, building on that and working towards that point of performing it in front of an audience. There are many hours that go into getting to that point.”
Don’t think though that Lee begrudges having to get out on stage and perform to his many, many fans.
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” he smiles. “It’s so moving. Those who know me very well know that I’m a very humble, very down-to-earth guy with no ego really. I just think if anybody appreciates what you do it’s the most wonderful feeling.”
He tells the story of a sound engineer who helps mix the single.
“On the very, very last day, he said, ‘I’m very professional and wouldn’t normally say this but my sister-in-law is a huge, huge fan. She voted for you. I’ve worked with Cliff Richard and other famous faces, but I’ve never asked this before … is there any chance you could do a little video of something?’”
Lee was happy to oblige but modestly added: “After all these years it still hits me and I think it’s so lovely to know that people appreciate me.
“The best part, if I haven’t got to dash off to the next venue, is meeting fans after the show. To see them smiling and happy, and have a chat with them. It’s just the best feeling, and hopefully, I’ll be seeing a lot of people on this tour.”
Lee is looking forward to returning to Berkshire. “It was a few years back I played the Corn Exchange and Newbury is a wonderful town with a wonderful theatre,” he says. “The audience is always really appreciative of the music and I’m really looking forward to coming back.
“Having a live band, especially after the covid pandemic, it’s something I pride myself on. It’s a four-piece and the music is just beautiful. It’s nice to give that to the audience – a lovely evening of song.
“I think it’s becoming a bit of a rarity, but for me, it’s always been about the music really.
“I want the audience to enjoy that.”
That’s a dream, and it’s one that for Lee, it will more than do.
Lee Mead’s The Best of Me will be at The Corn Exchange in Newbury on Wednesday, October 25. Tickets cost from £27.50. For more details, or to book, call the box office on 01635 522733, or log on to: https://cornexchangenew.com/event/lee-mead
