Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Youth Group Production

It is always a great pleasure to see this show with its many ideas for characters, costumes, scenery and staging.  This production did not let any preconceived notions down.  Staged in the Chancel of the Church with simple rostra and props, set inside a scenery proscenium arch of sand dunes and palm trees the beautifully painted backcloth was, in fact, a continuous curtain which could be drawn further across to depict the next scene – an ingenious idea, cleverly thought out and which worked beautifully.  The cardboard cut out camel train received a ripple of applause and the huge multicoloured fan beautifully replicated the spread of Joseph’s coat.  Excellent sound and lighting together with speedy and efficient scene changing and a good backing group of musicians all added to the overall enjoyment.

Joseph, with its many smaller parts always gives an opportunity for the cast to show off their individual talents as well as performing as a chorus.  This was very ably demonstrated by this cast of 38, all children between the ages of 8 and 14 who so obviously thoroughly enjoyed performing and, although on the first performance night there were some moments of insecurity, these will disappear as the week goes on and they were a joy to watch and to listen to.   Congratulations must go to Anne and Emma – it is no easy task teaching all the words, music and complicated movements to that number of children.

The Narrator was played by four young ladies who, in addition to their individual singing, readily adapted to becoming the ‘backing group’ or the ‘dancing girls’.   The ‘Brothers’ each had their own character which was well sung as was The Pharoh/Potiphar (Jack Bailey) but, as always, the performance revolved around Joseph -  very capably sung and serenely acted by Luke D’Apolito.  I shall enjoy watching this young man develop as a leading man as the years progress.

The simple costuming of the Narrators and the brothers was very ably set off by the chorus with their bright colours and individual choice of dancewear type costume.  I have never seen so many hairstyles and ways of differently plaiting hair - Congratulations to the Mums as well as the girls – it all added to a delightful and very enjoyable evening.

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