Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics: Tim Rice
Director: Laurence Connor
Who would have thought that a show, based on a story from the Book of Genesis, would be ideal musical theatre material, or that 57 years on from its creation, would still be delighting audiences around the world?
The story of Jacob and his twelve sons, in particular his favourite, Joseph. Familial jealousy results in attempted fratricide and Joseph’s eventual arrival as a slave in Egypt. Joseph’s talents as a seer are put to good use by government official Potiphar, but it’s not just his fortune telling skills that catch Potiphar’s wife’s eye, landing the young buck in chains. Joseph’s talents eventually get him out of trouble and on the path to reconciliation with his family.
Much of the perpetual success of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the strength of the material: a fast-paced, punchy script and a raft of catchy tunes. The staging, Laurence Connor’s direction and Joann M. Hunter’s choreography have breathed life and extra humour into the production. An extended hoe down around One More Angel in Heaven, cheerleading choreo for Go, Go, Go Joseph and a Can Can in Those Canaan Days help drive the story along and deliver maximum bang for your buck. The narrator doubles and triples up playing Potiphar’s wife and patriarch Jacob, and child actors have been used to great effect as some of the bearded brothers and Potiphar.
The cast are top-notch, Adam Filipe is a charismatic Joseph, with a glorious voice and impeccable diction and Joe McElderry gets to showcase the vocals that won him The X Factor as well as his comic acting skills. As Narrator, Christina Bianco demonstrates some of the vocal gymnastics that she is renowned for, but her diction is poor at times, making it hard to follow the action for those who aren’t familiar with the tale. The entire ensemble are energetic, committed and on-point throughout, their joy filling the auditorium from floor to rafters.
This is an exceptional production of the classic show. A joyful delight to the eyes and ears for the whole family.
Runs until 3 August 2025 | Image: Tristram Kenton
