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.
NOTE: Stephen Gately is no longer appearing in this production. For current cast information, see the show's performance listing.
We're back to where it all began, and also where it ended. The Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber story was finally launched in 1968 after several abortive collaborations with a 25-minute end-of-term schools version of what later become Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, now being revived at the New London Theatre.
And that fruitful partnership ended here, at the same address, in 1981 when Lloyd Webber went it alone without Rice, employing a member of the Dead Poet's Society instead as lyricist for Cats. That, of course, famously became the longest running musical in British history, only finally closing last year after 21 years.
But Joseph is the youthful folly with which the ceaselessly tuneful composer and wonderfully inventive lyricist first announced their talent to the world. And even if the material is now spread a little thin across two hours - endless reprises pad it out, including a curtain call encore that seems to reprise the entire score - there's an infectious pleasure both to the tunes and the words that still, more than 30 years later, completely captivates.
As, against my expectations, did this production. After the vastly overblown, self-consciously camp London Palladium revival that starred Jason Donovan in 1991, it's really refreshing to engage once again with this show in a far more modest offering that's much more true to the show's origins and real spirit.
That's partly to do with being cheesy instead of camp - to share the jokiness already inherent in the score, rather than impose it with effects. It's also performed with a guileless enthusiasm by a cast that, former Boyzone singer Stephen Gateley apart, is completely unknown (except, of course, to their mothers).
As for Gateley, though he's rather diminutive of both stature and voice in the title role, and the voice is sometimes as flat as his torso, he compensates with a nervous charm. The cartoon cut-out sets and props (designed by Sean Cavanagh) and the naff panto choreography (Henry Metcalfe) are also perfectly in synch with the light-hearted tone of the show that never takes itself seriously.
In the process, it is Rice's terrific lyrics that stand out once again, which is at it should be. They observe the crucial requirement of great lyrics, besides their wit: that they are full of compact storytelling. This, Rice and Lloyd Webber's first through-sung pop opera, conveys the entire story in brief but telling rhymes. The jealousy of Joseph's siblings, for instance, at the fact that he is their father's favourite son, is succinctly expressed thus: "Being told we're also-rans/does not make us Joseph fans/But where they had really missed the boat is/We're great guys but no-one seems to notice".
It's that kind of lyrical vitality that gives this show its enduring freshness. "Don't give up Joseph, fight till you drop/We've read the book and you come out on top," he's advised by the narrator (a gutsy, Sarah Brightman clone Vivienne Carlyle) when he's flung into prison. This is a show that still comes out on top, every time.
Glad to see Matthew Hanbury back in Joseph.Lets keep him in please, he is great as a brother. - 212.139.101.174)
21 Jun 05
Thank you to Trevor Jary for coming back as Pharoah, he slipped back into the role as if he had never been away,love his facial expressions.What a fantastic performance. Well done to all the cast for a high energy wonderful 2 hours of happiness.I wanted to turn right round and go back in the theatre and see it again, but had to catch a train back to Brum. If you are feeling down go and see Joseph, your spirits will be lifted.Loved it. Lynda R - 80.43.155.137)
22 Apr 05
Came back home elated after seeing this stunning performance of Joseph! The entire production was fantastic but have to give special mention to our friend, Simon Bailey, who was SUPERB!!
Keep that hair flicking!!
Tel + Jen - 81.158.134.13)
01 Apr 05
Real good. Simon Bailey was AMAZING! And cute, and really nice.OK, I sort of have a crush on him. Vivenne has a lovely voice. I was in the choir when H was there and I not sure I agree with everyone else that Simon Gorton is better. H was pritty good.
Anyway, brill show, and being in the choir was great! - 81.152.127.13)
31 Mar 05
Simon Gorton is Oh my gosh GORGEOUs!!! Absoloutly fell in love with him in 2 hours! He has an amazing voice + is great in the role of Joseph. Wow I want 2 Marry him!! - 195.93.21.97)
29 Mar 05
Right where to start. As a teenager going to see a show lightly based on a Biblical story I wasn't to impressed. Then walking past the modern and trendly pub on the opposite road into a dull, tacky...and to be honest crap theatre, my cheeks could not hide the embarrassment. I sat down in a weird chair to the amazement of nothing...the lights went down, yeah but for nearly five minutes we must have listened to nearly all of the songs played by a single keyboard. Oh and it don't stop there...
Ok the songs are surprisingly cathcy but, dear lord, the acting was terrible and slightly camp. Joseph was as likeable as a happy Margaret Thatcher. And to gain attention he would show his teeth, just to make it even more that bit cheesy.
... ...
Is it over you're all wondering. Nope final song then a encore of literally all of the songs. They also made it seem as though they never actually tried to show off the colour dreamcoat untill the end where they must have pulled bits of tissue out of it about three times.
... ...
Nearly there you're wondering.
... ...
Nope!
They run off the stage and sing a dozen more songs, making you join in. What fun, the chair was so oddly built that if I slighlty moved the thing would come off its hinge.
... ...
Its over!
You leave the theatre...slightly confused and a new found obbession to the Eurovision Song Contest.
(Mind you, my mum thought it was great!) - 195.93.34.12)
01 Jan 05
The show is great! Simon Gorton plays Joseph really well, Vivianne is stunning as the narrator and woah Simon Bailey...no words can describe how great he is! OK, I'm slightly biased from being in the show but I still think it's great and what makes it better is that the cat are genuinely lovely people! Come and see it again guys! - 217.43.9.222)
19 Dec 04
What a load of silly old queens we have bickering on this board! Who cares if they can or can't spell? Did they enjoy the show (as a whole)? What about the other cast members? Really! - 81.156.60.191)
16 Dec 04
I went to see joseph last night, having hated it the last few times I'v been, but that was when H was Joseph. last night Simon Gorton was joseph. And he did a fantastic job he had all the qualities in a good performer. I went to watch with some female friends who also could not take their eyes of Simon, for different reasons Im sure but they still thaught he was great at singing and acting and generaly looking good. - 195.93.34.12)
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