NODA Review: Joseph

Details: Category: Awards & Press

With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice “Joseph” and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is based on the story of Joseph from the Book of Genesis in the Bible and is completely sung through with a family-friendly storyline.

It was the first Lloyd Webber and Rice musical to be performed publicly as a 15-minute pop cantata at Colet Court School London in 1968 and then recorded as a concept album in 1969.

In 1972 the show was expanded and further recordings were made and it was produced in the West End of London in1973, opening on Broadway in 1982. There have been several major revivals and national tours over the years and it has been widely performed in Schools and Amateur theatre.

This was an outstanding and very enjoyable production directed by Stephen Hughes-Alty with some extremely talented young performers in the cast who all worked very well together as a team with no weak links and lots of enthusiasm.

It would be nice if I could name everybody who took part in this production because they all contributed in their own way to the overall success of this show; but that would mean a review jam-packed only with names. However I would like to highlight the performances of Charlie McMullan who gave a very good expressive performance in the lead role of Joseph and Lydia Seed who sang very well and was outstanding in the very important, demanding role of the Narrator.

Both performers had superb diction and every word sung could be heard making it easy for the audience to follow the story. There was also a good spirited performance by Ben Ankers as Elvis/ Pharaoh. The above performers were supported admirably by the rest of the cast who gave us some excellent amusing characterisations, especially Joseph’s father Jacob, the eleven brothers, Potiphar and Potiphar’s wife. The very talented ensemble looked like they were enjoying every minute of the show singing and dancing very well with lots of energy and enthusiasm.

Choreography by Jackie Morris was impressive, and was executed very well by all the cast, not one performer appeared to be out of step throughout the whole of the show. As the Mayor said in her speech after the performance everyone on the stage was a star.

The Orchestra led by Musical Director Pete Scholes played very well supporting and accompanying the performers securely, although they were a little loud on occasions. Costumes were very bright, colourful and appropriate for the age group of the performers and the show. Scenery was minimalistic but more than adequate so well done to the stage crew and props also sound and lighting should be congratulated for doing a very good job as these roles are important in this type of production.

I must congratulate Director Stephen Hughes-Alty and all involved in this superb production I really enjoyed my evening’s entertainment. I hope to see you all next time thank you for inviting me

Patricia Connor
District 6