Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

From the very start of the show, we were treated to a theatrical experience that took us on a great journey of music and storytelling.  The simple and understated start was extremely effective and when the ensemble made their entrance through the theatre a sense of being entirely wrapped into the production was evident.   Three narrators, Olivia Finlay, Rachel Hepburn and Caroline Telfer took us through the tale of the adventures of Joseph.  They were equally strong vocally, and had terrific stage presence, and while this narrator role is usually performed by one person, the trio worked well.  James McShane, playing the role of Joseph brought a strong performance though his vocal and acting abilities and some key moments in his performance were his first moment on stage and Close Every Door.  David Sturgeon played the role of the father Jacob with ease.  The brothers, while portraying their own individual roles, collectively performed to a high standard, and displayed great talent and energy throughout the production.  Pharoah was played by Adele Simpson, and she portrayed the role extremely well with great vocal ease.  Potiphar, David Brown was suitably cast, and his acting, stage presence and vocal ability gave an extremely strong performance.  

I particularly like the reimagined and unique look of the show with a more minimal approach to costumes and props that brought our own imagination to life through the well-constructed direction and staging.  Choreography and staging were stylised and clever and there was a sense of high energy portrayed throughout the entire production from all the principals, bothers, wives, and ensemble.  The music was well controlled and executed across the range of performances from principals to full ensemble with good balance between the pit and the stage.   The set designed by Challum Brown was simple and effective and the transformation into Act 2, taking us into the world of opulence in the Egyptian palaces worked well. He also designed the superb coat of many colours, which was made by Francesca Rosa.  I liked the fabric design, flow of the coat and ribbon display.  Overall, this was a confident production with many excellent performances.  The backstage crew and front of house volunteers as always completed the entire team approach involved in this great production.

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