Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

THE DODS - YOUTH SECTION

PLEASE NOTE:

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that his assessment will be effected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances, and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

 

Report by Angus Sheppard-Hughes SW Regional Representative District 16

As per usual with The DODS I was welcomed with a very warm greeting by the front of house team, which started outside with a friendly smile and people telling me where to go if I hadn’t been to the Chantry Centre before. I must say a huge thank you to all who spend their time (even in the pouring rain) inside and outside the venue as front of house, it’s the little extra details that really shine through. 

As I walked into the auditorium I was met by a wonderfully colourful stage design, some amazing set flats and colourful curtains dressing the front of the stage extension already feeding me what was yet to come. The thoughtful set design was also complimented well by the lighting and sound throughout. I hadn’t yet written a review where there wasn’t something amiss with the sound, but this is my first one as I could hear everything well due to you balancing the band when there was someone who sang particularly quietly and you could really tell there was a lot going on behind the scenes to make this possible.

Joseph is that “dream role” that a lot of people who have gone to drama school really want, and that’s because it’s a hard role but so worth it because you never leave the stage! He has some big songs, small songs and chorus songs, but what Joseph embodies is this coming together of the people, and I must say that you did that perfectly by leading the ensemble through this very technically challenging musical. There were at some points when singing a slower and lower song, like at the beginning of “close every door”, that the emotion came first and the notes came second but don’t let that put you off as its often hard, even as an adult, to find the right balance. But wow, when it came to the powerful songs and tricky belting sections you nailed it and did this very demanding part justice. You should be so proud!

The Narrators are a single role, divided perfectly into 4. I can see why the creative team did this as it gave each of you the opportunity to shine in a role that is HUGE and it’s a chance to show each of you off individually, both acting wise and vocally. Each of the four girls essentially took on one of four vocal parts, and the split was so perfect as it used the best parts of each of their voices. Each of you were so articulate and clear, you were the reason I could follow along the story (this is my first time ever seeing Joseph) and I understood everything. You are all very talented and should be very happy with your performances.

JACOB…JACOB AND SONS!  Jacob and the sons: Reuben, Judah, Benjamin, Gad, Levi, Simeon, Zebulum, Isaachar, Napthali, Dan and Asher  ALL made an impact on that stage! Yes there may be many of you, but given that you had a couple of songs in act 1 and a couple in act 2, you really made it hard for me to believe that you weren’t a family. There were some inside jokes going on, some brotherly playing around on stage (I’m looking at you BENJAMIN!) but also this feeling like you had all been together forever! 

Jacob, you absolutely cracked me up every single time you let out a hysteric cry. That gag never got old. I was very impressed with your beard, when you started stroking it, it reminded me of Dumbledore in Harry Potter which got me laughing all over again. There are two members of the group of sons that I would like to commend, those who stood out for me, and that is Simeon and Judah. You both worked so well with others on stage, and I could really feel the care you had for your fellow actors. Both of your vocals were strong and acting skills amazing, but I felt like you really looked after some of the other younger members of the cast. So well done to you!

Pharaoh, I couldn’t look away for your song, it was so funny, and very well sung! You can tell you have worked on your diction since I last saw you in Calendar Girls, and it paid off. The only words I wrote down were “more Elvis than Elvis himself”. You have an amazing stage presence and a brilliantly strong voice. It was during a scene with Potiphar, when you were playing a guard, that when I saw you talking with another cast member on stage it was clear from that you were going to be playing the Pharaoh later as even then you couldn’t stop acting like Elvis. Now that’s what I call method acting. Great job!

Potiphar & Potiphar’s wife - you are both great dancers. In a show full of opportunities to showcase dance, you both gave your all and shone through. Neither part is easy, and they are only in the show for a small amount of time, but you gave your all and danced your heart out (and sang your heart out) which didn’t go unnoticed. So very well done to both of you

Ahhh, the Ishmaelites- I couldn’t write this review without mentioning you three and your HILARIOUS fourth member, the inflatable camel. I was told by the creative team about one time the camel didn’t inflate, and you still carried on with this limp plastic camel around your waist (not a sentence I thought I’d ever write) and you didn’t let it affect you at all. So as soon as I saw you come out on stage with a fully inflated camel, I was already laughing. I just had to mention you as this was one of my favourite parts of the show, so well done for being so naturally funny!

And finally, I’d like to mention the small parts and the entire ensemble of the show, you should all be so happy with how you performed. Like I mentioned earlier, I had never seen Joseph before so this was my very first time watching the show, and you all did so well that I had to go home and research everything I could about it. It really is the chorus, small roles and the ensemble that make a show amazing and, considering there were so many of you, it never felt like there was too much going on, or too many on stage because the amazing Direction and Choreography by Gemma and Laura, and the mixing of the vocals and musical directorship of Katrina just lent itself perfectly for this show. So once again, you should all be so proud of yourselves, and I can’t wait to see what you do next!

P.S: I can’t get JACOB…JACOB AND SONS out of my head now! So thanks for that!

These comments solely reflect the view of the representative and can only relate to the performance seen.

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.