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Sparkling coat refusing to fade
Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton **** THIS is a show
with one of those annoying songs that meander around your mind for weeks
afterwards – which is not to say Any
Dream Will Do is a bad song, far from
it, just that it is memorable . . . and persistent. Not that the song is the only memorable thing
about this musical about the biblical tale of Joseph, the first of
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musicals to be performed back in
1968. The whole show is fun and has that magical
feelgood factor which sees audiences leaving with a smile on their
faces. It wasn't any dream but this particular one for Keith Jack, who came second in the BBC's Any Dream Will Do talent show to find a Joseph. He eventually took over the role in the last tour and is back in this latest tour, directed and produced by Bill Kenwright. Jack is developing more of a stage presence as
time goes on and seems more confident in the role this time around, the
coat of Joseph is fitting better one might say, although a singing coach
should work on his Scottish roots coming through on any ooo sounds he
sings – particularly as one of his big numbers is Any Dream Will Dur. No such problems with Lauren Ingram as the
Narrator which is a big part. You could hear every word and whatever
happened on stage she was there. Another star was Luke Jasztal as
Pharoah, or Elvis Pharoah, the King as he is here, man. He looks and sounds the part of Elvis in his
Vegas pomp as Joseph interprets his dreams and gets a big career boost
moving from jail to palace in one easy song.
Then there are his 11 brothers – although lots of
times only 10 are on stage – who flogged little Joe off to passing slave
dealers after they got fed up with his dreams and out and out
favouritism by dad, Jacob, played by Henry Metcalfe.. They provide a lively chorus along with three
handmaidens who fill in as various wives along the way. With the Israelite hit parade being a bit light
in Biblical times we were treated to country and western, Parisian
street singers, Carmen Miranda and calypso – we even had a singing camel
– or half a camel to be exact. The rest is probably in a beef burger or
lasagne on some supermarket shelf somewhere. That was not the only animal appearance we even
had a flock of sheep, well seven, who popped up almost on cue. A couple
had stage fright on opening night, the opening night of the tour
incidentally, which left them initially deflated, but with the odd nudge
from a passing brother or two and they rose to the occasion. With a seven-piece band under MD James McCullagh
working hard in the pit, Joseph is a show with plenty of pace and even
gives youngsters from local schools, in this case from Tettenhall
College and Newbridge Preparatory School, a taste of the professional
stage as a chorus, on stage for the entire show. It also pays homage to
the show's origins as a school production. Joseph will never be seen as one of theatre's
great musicals, it is no Les Miserables or West Side Story, but it never
set out to be. It is fun for both audience and cast, and with
some of the new introductions and extra silliness Bill Kenwright seems
to have been enjoying himself as director. It all ends with a singalong,
that magic, stage-filling dreamcoat and a standing ovation – and that's
entertainment. Roger Clarke Meanwhile from behind the Sphinx **** THIS is a musical you can see any number
of times and always leave the theatre with a spring in your step and a
feeling of real pleasure. It's not one of the biggest shows, nor is it
packed with high power gimmicks or special effects. And there are no A
list stars on parade. But for sheer entertainment it takes some
beating, and the opening night audience gave the cast an impressive
standing ovation. Small changes are made here and there - six
blow-up sheep suddenly appear on stage, for instance - but the music of
Andrew Lloyd Webber combined with Tim Rice's lyrics are the reason
'Joseph' succeeds again and again. Keith Jack, runner up in the BBC's Any Dream Will
Do contest, is the latest up-and-coming talent to land the role of
Joseph, and if he lacks a little stage presence early on, he grows in
confidence and stature as he outwits his 11 jealous brothers to become
right hand man to Egypt's Pharaoh by interpreting the great
man's strange dream. But the real star of this production is Lauren
Ingram, the Narrator. Rarely off stage, she links all the action with a
crystal clear singing voice, and looks great in her black outfit with
the sun, moon, stars and planets decorating her tight waistcoat. A fine performance, too, from Luke Jasztal as
Pharaoh, in a sparkling white Elvis outfit with voice and hip shake to
match, as he explains his worrying dream, and Joseph elevates from jail
to jewels when he solves the problem and is reunited with his reformed
brothers and his father Jacob (Henry Metcalfe) in a happy ending. Youngsters in the Joseph choir are drawn from
Tettenhall College and Newbridge Preparatory School. Directed by Bill Kenwright, this much-loved
musical runs to 16.02.13 Paul Marston
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