Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat tells the journey of Joseph, son of Jacob and his brothers, and his coat of many colours. Written in 1968, based on the story of Joseph from the Bible’s Book of Genesis, and featuring lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, it features iconic pop and music theatre classics know around the world.

A Narrator opens the show or in the case of KODS Youth Section, 3 Narrators, led in many interludes by the talented Lauren L’Enfant. Lauren was joined by Hope Dickenson and Alice Hickey throughout and when singing together provided some special moments of musicality including impressive harmonies. Joseph played by Oscar Yeoh, continued from KODYS earlier concert, to demonstrate a maturing voice and stood out tall against his Brothers who all deserve a mention for several impressive numbers including ‘Jacob and Sons’, ‘One More Angel in Heaven’, ‘Those Canaan Days’ and ‘Benjamin Calypso’. The sons were; Charlie Dancyger (Reuben), Toby Denton (Simeon), Myles Richards (Dan), Maria Riga (Zebulun), Georgia Hyde (Levi), Jamie Whitehouse (Naphtali), Larna Richards (Asher), Paige Dicken (Gad), Summer Pitman (Benjamin), Finley Stanier (Judah), Chris Kemp(Issachar) and Billy Brooks as Isiah.

The Brothers jealous of Joseph for being Jacob’s favourite and his view that he was meant for higher things, try to kill Joseph, but instead take him to Egypt where he is sold to the wealthy Potiphar. (Good support from Josh Hickey and Shannon Drew as Mr & Mrs Potiphar) Joseph winds up in jail and is joined by a Baker (Danny Duffy) and a Butler (Roxie Jordan  - nice voice) Joseph senses their predicament and sings ‘Close every Door’ well and the Act closes with Joseph encouraged to follow his dreams, with an excellent company number ‘Go, Go, Go Joseph’.

In Act 2 we meet Pharaoh, who troubled understanding his own dreams, calls for Joseph to help him. Harrison Bianco took full advantage with a cool dude Elvis style rendition of his story and possibly received the greatest audience ovation for it – well done! Eventually the Brothers who have fallen on hard times meet Joseph again and he returns united on a chariot singing ‘Any Dream will Do’ and is also reunited with his coat displayed to full effect at the close of the production with some good lighting changes.

I know it can be a challenge matching the volume of the band – whilst getting the right sound, with the singers, however at times I would have welcomed slightly less onus being placed on the band  and more on the amplification of the young singers. The set on two levels with steps either side of a central door was well constructed and used to good effect and the cast were well dressed and lit. Congratulations to director Darren Richards and all involved in bringing this production to the stage.

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