Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Synopsis

Dancing in the show requires all types of styles. This colourful retelling of the biblical story about Joseph, his uncanny abilities and his designer coat sings out to young and old alike with a score which is wall to wall hits - including Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do. In this retelling of the Biblical story, Joseph is a handsome young man who is his father's favourite child, able to interpret dreams, and the bearer of an amazing coat. These facts lead Joseph's eleven brothers to become insatiably jealous. Thus, they sell Joseph into slavery to some passing Ishmaelites. After refusing the advances of his owner's wife, Joseph is sent to jail. Once in jail, he quickly becomes popular due to his ability to interpret dreams. The Pharaoh soon hears of Joseph's ability and appoints him to the post of Number Two man in Egypt. Years later, Joseph's now starving brothers arrive in Egypt and ask Joseph, whom they don't recognize, for assistance. Joseph, in turn, gives his brothers a scare, but eventually grants them all they desire, reveals his identity, and reunites the family.

Our Review:

Simon Cole - 22 July 2010

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, was borne out of a request by Alan Doggett, head of the Music Department at Colet court, St Paul's Junior School – where a young Julian Lloyd Webber was a pupil – for older brother Andrew to write a ‘pop cantata’ for the school choir to sing at an Easter end-of-term concert.

Together with friend, Tim Rice, Andrew decided on the story of Joseph as their subject, and set about creating the piece. It received its first public presentation on 1 March 1968 at the Old Assembly Hall, Colet Court, Hammersmith. It was just 15 minutes long!

A resounding success, a second performance was arranged on 12 May 1968 at Central Hall, Westminster, where it received favourable reviews, and was then expanded and performed again at St Paul’s Cathedral in November of that year. It was not until a few years later, after the pair’s success with Jesus Christ Superstar, that they retu...

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Latest User Review

Nick Poole - 5 August 2010:

I am not a musicals fan but did enjoy this. Shame that the auditorium was only a quarter full on a Saturday night. I recommend it as a spectacle, the highlight of which was kicking the sheep to get them to inflate fully - memorable!!...

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