Review-Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
May 4, 2009
Sunderland Empire
May 4th 2009
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is well known as the school musical, by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, that has grown not only in to a full stage show, but a musical that continues to pack theatres both on tour and in the West End.
A few years ago Jason Donovan, and then Phillip Schofield, introduced the show to a new West End audience as the revival packed out the London Palladium. Then reality TV stepped in and the hit Saturday Night Show “Any Dream Will Do” made a star of Lee Mead for winning the title role in the new West End production, while another finalist Craig Chalmers joined the touring version playing the lead role.
While Mead has now left the show and Gareth Gates has taken over before the show closes in London, the tour continues to pack in audiences and Chalmers performs the role at most performances. But check with the box office as he does not play all performances, neither does the person who plays the narrator, but as there are around ten shows a week this is understandable.
Earlier on the tour Chalmers has been joined by other finalists of “Any Dream Will Do” as well as a finalist from the follow up reality TV show “I’d Do Anything” in the role of Narrator, but now Chalmers is the only recognisable face. While that is no slight on the other performers it gives Chalmers more of a struggle as a lot rests on his shoulders. As Joseph is such a crowd pleaser it takes a lot to make the show fail to work, so Chalmers is on safe ground, as he looks the part and has a good singing voice. But for some reason you fail to connect with him as Joseph and he does not deliver a leading man performance. I felt I was watching more of an ensemble piece, than a show with a defined leading man.
Joseph tells the story – mainly through song – of how he has to cope with the jealousy of his eleven other brothers. The brothers think he is their father’s favourite and see his multicoloured coat as a sign of that favouritism. To get rid of him, the brothers sell Joseph as a slave to a group of passing Ishmaelites, who then take him to Egypt. He is then imprisoned and is only freed after interpreting one of the Pharaoh’s dreams, who then passes vast amounts of wealth and riches onto Joseph in return for his services, as well as making him his right hand man.
When his brothers arrive looking for food they fail to recognise Joseph who plans to trick them but we all know that a happy ending is not too far away.
The end of the show sees the entire cast singing “Joseph Megamix” which had most of the audience clapping and singing along.
However directed by Bill Kenwright this touring production moves along at a cracking pace with the simple set by designer, Sean Cavanagh being excellently lit by Mark Howett.
With TV shows, tours, the West End, a sing-a-long version and numerous school productions, there will always be an audience for Joseph, which still delivers that feel good factor family show, we all so need at the present time.
John Dixon
Comments
Got something to say?
-
Recent Posts
Advertisement
Other Regional Sites