Review- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Date Reviewed: 25th November, 2008
Palace Theatre
This is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous musicals and the recent TV search for a new Joseph, Any Dream Will Do, increased its popularity and thus the weight of expectation on any new performance. Thankfully, this touring production manages to live up to its history.
Adapted from the story from the Book of Genesis, Joseph is a young man who has prophetic dreams and can interpret the dreams of others. Jealous of his abilities and their father’s favouritism, Joseph’s brothers sell him into slavery in Egypt. Told through a wide range of musical styles, from hoe-down to calypso with a quick visit to rock and roll and French ballad, the story barely pauses for its two hour running time even as it keeps the audience’s toes tapping and hands clapping.
Craig Chalmers is Joseph, and the Elvis-alike Pharaoh is played by Antony Hansen, both runners up from the TV search. Unfortunately these are two of the weaker performances in an otherwise very strong cast. Chalmers has very little dynamic in his voice except during the stirring “Close Every Door”, and Hansen is often hard to understand, with his words being swamped in the synthesised brass accompaniment. The music levels are an issue, with even the strong voice of Tara Bethan’s lively Narrator, being lost in the mix.
All of this is saved, however, by the power of the rest of the production. The male chorus are outstanding with both their singing and their dancing. They provide the energy which drives the performance, performing in a variety of different roles. Special mention should also be made of the Chester Theatre School choir who provide backing which is affecting and effective without being saccharin sweet.
The use of the stage is outstanding with set changes coming thick and fast and so smoothly, they appear to be largely invisible. Likewise the costume changes and the choreography are also slick. The production contains evidence of a lot of hard work, but like a swan, all the frenzy is beneath the surface.
I am not a great fan of musicals and was prepared to not like this production. However, from the moment the full cast burst into song I was hooked. My verdict? Banish thoughts of a thousand amateur versions and go and see a professional company performing a real spectacle. Thoroughly enjoyable and well worth seeing, even with a weak lead.
-Calum Kerr