Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

As I made my way to the Lamproom it warmed my heart to see the SOLD OUT sign on the poster for this production. A sign that means that Theatre is coming back, bigger and stronger than ever. 

Having seen Joseph numerous times, played Potiphar once, Pharaoh once and Joseph himself 9 times, I was wondering what the production team would do to make it different from any other before it. Director, Jack Land Noble, had created a fresh, modern and excellent production of this classic musical which is now over 50 years old. The Lamproom doesn’t have the biggest stage, but with excellent direction from Jack, the stage never looked overcrowded once. One piece of direction I really liked was the use of umbrellas for Joseph’s chariot of gold. Genius.

Joseph is a sung thru Musical and requires a good Musical Director. LMTC didn’t have a good MD. they had an excellent one. Robert Cooper managed to get every harmony out of this experienced cast who produced a sound that was delight to the ears.

As I have come to expect from the LMTC, the choreography was wonderful. Dani Simpson had created mesmerising routines with energy and pathos, I was tired just looking at the dance team. Special mention to Shae Ogley who danced around that stage with every inch of body. 

The show was confidently narrated by Becca Booth, who hardly left the stage and provided impressive vocals. The role of Joseph requires an actor with excellent vocals, ability to move the audience, comic timing and likability. Jordan Wright had all of this and more. His vocals and diction were outstanding which wouldn’t have been out of place on a West End Stage. His smile also lit up the stage. David Cooper as Pharaoh, gave a great Elvis impersonation, with hip movement that Craig Revel Horwood  would have lifted his 10 paddle for.

Joseph usually has a children’s chorus, but not this production. Here we had the Dreamcoat Singers, who provided backing to the principals, which I must say worked excellently well. 

The stars of the show for me however, were the team of Brothers, these 11 men were simply stunning. Their singing, dancing, acting, facial expressions were first class. The Canann Days number, is usually a sad downbeat  , but here it was performed comically which made it the stand out number of the night. David Armitage as Simon delivered a show stealing performance. I must also mention the stage presence of young Benjamin, Louis Sykes. He was so mesmerising, that I couldn’t take my eyes of him. I’m so looking forward to seeing this young man in the future leading roles. 

Many thanks to Margaret and Margaret for your hospitality. This production was certainly fulll of colour on a dark November night. Here’s to EVITA.

 

 

 

 

 

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