Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

How could an audience fail to be entertained by this colourful production of JOSEPH and the AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. This youth production of the well known musical originally written for children by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber is well known worldwide and the story taken ‘loosely’ from the bible but even more so the music, is so immensely popular, that even if you have never seen the show before (like me... how could I have I missed it) the show is still very familiar.

I am always amazed when reminded that the production team and cast for the annual FMTC youth group Spellbound, prepares and presents its show with one week of solid rehearsals in the school holidays and a few initial music learning sessions. To reach the standard achieved and seen on the first night is an amazing feat and must be due to  intense preparation by the production team and sheer enthusiasm of the cast.

The beautiful and colourful costumes provided a visual treat. The first-rate set design, built and painted ‘in house’, provided a setting which could accommodate the large cast with ease, looked spectacular and enabled the cast to perform with safety and effortlessness. The glitzy show demands glitzy lighting and this lighting was good, on cue and as I don’t recall it particularly, this is a sign that it was very good as I tend to remember problems. The sound was efficient although there were a few Mic missed cues (first night gremlins) but once again as with so many shows I see across the board...  good sound will never compensate for inadequate diction and delivery and there were a few occasions when I didn’t understand the words... vital in a fully sung show as the songs progress the story! The props were well used and authentic and I and the whole audience loved the camel!

Kerry Bishop and his trusty band of musicians presented very good, melodiously sound and entertaining music for this fully sung junior version of the show. There were two songs when the tempos were difficult for the performers... too fast and the words became a jumble and too slow and the song became a dirge.

The large mixed ability cast was enthusiastic and animated and the talent was very pleasing on the whole. I was pleased to see the number of teenage boys in the cast and one always accepts that voices are not always developed and in a fully adult stage. I hope this show will have encouraged them to remain and enjoy musical theatre in the future. The dancing from the many very talented girls in the show was exceptionally good and the company /chorus singing was very good. The principal characters all performed with enthusiasm. There were some first night nerves which are inevitable and I am sure they were settled for the other performances. The narrator is the glue that holds the show together and Astrid Bishop demonstrated passion and delight in her role; with her excellent voice this performer shows great potential for her future in musical theatre. Of course the role of Joseph is a role all the would boys aspire to be cast in and fortunate Thomas Hill did very well in the part, but was almost eclipsed by Pharaoh... Dillon Barry and Jacob... Fin Collinson.

I loved the ‘sheep’, as a whole flock in the opening, and as they ‘disappeared’ one by one in the famine, they were fun. The ‘singing’ camel was another highlight. There are some great female voices in this youth group and that bodes well for the future.

This was a most enjoyable production, congratulations to everyone... the cast for their performances, the crew for their efficient management of the show,  the production team for their hard work, vision and skill in ‘training  the team’ and front of house for looking after us so well.

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