It has been suggested that Joseph is closing early to make way for the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. Last year, an extension beyond January for Joseph was not announced until November. Because of this, Joseph missed out on o great deal of pre-Christmas business with very few 2009 tickets on sale in 2008. However, widespread discounts generated renewed  interest, and when Gareth Gates donned the Dreamcoat in February, Joseph was again in full Technicolour swing. However, the shock announcement this month that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic will now be closing on 30 May has fuelled the rumours that the Lord’s new project will open in the West End this autumn.

After Derren Brown plays out Joseph’s booking period with a limited season, it will apparently be all hands on deck to get Love Never Dies going at the Adelphi. The first act of the Phantom sequel was performed at the annual Sydmonton Festival last summer. The plot involves Erik (the Phantom) running a sideshow in New York. Erik was played at Sydmonton by Ramin Karimloo, currently playing the role at Her Majesty’s Theatre, but no casting has been confirmed. Rumours have hinted at London and Broadway’s original Phantom Michael Crawford, opera singerKatherine Jenkins and X Factor oddity Rhydian Roberts. Watch this space for further developments.