Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Julie Jordan surpassed herself with the direction of this year’s Junior Show. It seemed that the average age of her cast were younger than usual but she managed to direct one of her best productions yet. The costumes were brilliant, the use of the stage area outstanding and the overall effect was excellent. Equally important with a  Andrew L Webber musical is the orchestra who play very nearly non-stop.  Their overture and intro. to the second half were great. The young orchestra all came from Sir Robert Woodward Academy in Worthing, one aged 13, 2 aged 14 and one aged 15. My whole-hearted congratulations to the MD for his remarkable achievement, not only with his great team of musicians but also with the standard of singing throughout. This show has two main characters which are both very demanding in terms of singing and pure stamina. The part of the Narrator was played by Martha Franks who was able to sing her way through a vast number of songs as well as remembering all the various colours of Joseph’s coat, Her interaction with the other cast members, especially the very young ones, was very heart warming. The other part I mentioned is that of the lead role of Joseph. Not only did Felix Barrett sing all the songs with ease but he commanded the stage whenever he entered. His rendition of ‘Close Every Door to Me’, probably the most famous song from the show and quite my favourite, was exceedingly well sung and performed by him with all the various members of the chorus adding to the atmosphere. Zac Lelean did very well doubling up as the very bent and elderly Jacob (most convincing) and one of the 12 brothers and Hal Darling, also doubling as one of the brothers, gave a good ‘Elvis’ type version of Pharaoh with the expected hip swings. There were far too many characters to give everyone a reference in this show but mention must be made of Paola Cragg and Laura Sheldrack who treated us to some really beautiful ballet as well as leading the dancing in all the choreographed numbers.  Supporting these main characters there was, of course, the eleven brothers, Pharaoh’s  wives, girls and guards, Potiphar and his wife and an excellent choir all acting, dancing and singing exceedingly well bearing in mind that they were probably all aged between 7 and about 15 years of age.  What a great achievement. 

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