Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

This Dearne Playhouse Musical Theatre Company production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was a dazzling, high-energy, and wonderful romp through this familiar bible story.   However, I don’t think this take on the chapters 37 -50 of the Book of Genesis has ever featured so many innuendos and hilarious touches.  The musical numbers demonstrated the hard work of MD Jonathan Wilby and the fantastic fifteen piece orchestra.  There were some great harmonies and the sound created when the brothers sang together was particularly of note.  As a sung-through musical, its pacing was very well done and as the show features a range of song styles there wasn’t one dull moment.

The youngest cast members were the Children’s Choir, who performed with great confidence and were very engaging.  Team Cannan performed on Tuesday night, but good authority has assured the writer that Team Egypt was equally as strong.

The ensemble work of Jacob's sons, particularly in lively, crowd-pleasers like ‘Those Canaan Days’ was fantastic.  All eleven brothers Judah (Ricky Allen), Zebulun (Robert Gordon), Levi (Stuart Ogden), Gad (Jamie McKnight), Naphtali (Lee Caddick), Isaacher (Nathan Smith), Benjamin (Tyler Ardron), Reuben (David Warren), Asher (usually played by Tom Garnett, but due to circumstances out of the control of the cast Ash Booker-Wright stood in on opening night), Simeon (Dominic Jones) and Dan (Pete Douglas)  were fantastic – they danced and sang with real passion and energy coping well with many intricate dance moves.

A number of the brothers were also double cast.  Lee Caddick did a great job as the Elvis-impersonating Pharaoh and Stuart Ogden played the ill-fated Butler with a trembling charm.  Frank Hoyland as Jacob coped well with a costume mishap and sang his parts with confidence.  His take on Potiphar was also rather comic.  Sophie Roddis was a wonderful Mrs Potiphar.  She looked every inch the temptress and strutted the stage with a demure, but evil confidence leaving everyone pitying poor Joseph.

Amy Vickers, playing the Narrator, should be celebrated for carrying the show with soaring vocals, charm, and just the right amount of sass – a wonderful performance.   Marcus Kamsika was a truly engaging Jospeh with a great voice and excellent stage presence.  Kamsika managed to balance the character's emotional vulnerability with charismatic charm even amongst the chaos of being carried off to Egypt, seduced by Mrs Potiphar and finally seeing his brothers kneel before him

The production featured glorious, vivid costumes and dynamic lighting that perfectly matched the catchy score.  The sound was strong and props had been cleverly created – especially the goat.

The dance team, ensemble and cast, under the leadership of Choreographer Karen Andre, performed as though they were unleashing a vibrant surge of joy across the production.  What was very clear from all the supporting cast was that they were having an absolute ball on stage and they picked the audience up and carried them along.  The finale of the iconic, extended ‘Joseph Megamix’ was delivered with incredible energy and the standing ovation at the end of the night was much deserved.

Congratulations to Director Ashley Booker-Wright and all the Production Team for a fun night of engaging entertainment in amazing technicolor!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.