Joseph

 This is a superb piece of musical theatre written initially for schools by the ubiquitous Lord Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. It contains a plethora of melodies and songs which so easily lodge forever in the brains’ tune department...which is just as well as the directors had a cast of nearly forty (40) young people some only eight (8), to learn, the first time for some, not just the words, but the skills and movement so necessary to create a successful musical production. It is therefore all the more rewarding when the whole thing comes together and the cast are sufficiently confident to perform with consummate ease and some style to satisfy an audience who consider that they have seen and enjoyed a show of quality and skill way beyond their expectations of the young cast performing before them...believe me Rising Stars are just that, all ‘Stars’!

 I particularly congratulate the company ensemble for their vocals, movement and dancing. They all showed total commitment to their parts with expressions and energy in all the company numbers. The ‘Coloured Coat’ number was a real expression of vocal and stage craft normally expected from a much older cast! With a fine coat of the title to complement the scene! A huge well done to the Narrators (Jessica Tovell and Emily Steed) who with excellent stage presence shared the story telling role with great confidence in their vocal duets and expressive movement. Joseph (Connor Langford) is of course the mainstay of this show, and here we had a young man able to sustain the belief in a complex and demanding role throughout with his confidence and style. His ‘Brothers’, all eleven of them, (were they really mostly girls!?), were always attentive and showed nicely described expressions as they responded to each scenario as the story, of the brother they have so cruelly rejected, unfolds. Perhaps, a small point, Joseph should have aged a bit more for the revelation scene in act 2 (beard, hat or turban head gear ‘diguise,’) befitting his role as Pharoahs’ right hand man, so the brothers’ would not have recognised him! They pretended well however!

 We had a super ‘Elvis’ Pharaoh (Sam Howlett) who brought some nice comedy to his cameo role as he mimicked the style of the ‘true King’ of Rock and Roll! Other smaller parts added to the overall story with Josephs father  Jacob (Doeke Dobma) as the ‘busy’ sage old man of the piece. Also memorable cameos’ from; the unfortunate and jealous  Potiphar (Zak Poll). His wife (Fay Bishop) who was suitably alluring as she attempted to seduce Joseph. The Butler and the Baker (Oliver Walter, Sebastion Morrison) who made their presence felt as required.

 The troop of Dancers were well drilled and moved with synchronicity. A special mention for Cerys Roscoe with a brief but really expressive  piece! The Choir, as previously stated, offered great support with harmony and clarity of voice for each of the numerous numbers that make up this totally sung show! They all came together as the celebratory climax of the show led to an enthusiastic finale and walk down. Another fine show from these ‘Rising Stars’, and I am sure we will see more of many of them! (Hope so, as ‘Seussical’ next year is a fun show with a variety of roles to suit all comers!) go for it!!

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