Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat

Todmorden’s top team treated a full house at the Hippodrome to a classic of the amateur stage. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice created a wonderfully witty sung-through piece of popular musical fun which has proved to be an enduring favourite with young performers and audiences alike. Given the current precarious cultural and political climate, this was a brave choice from HYT and what a gloriously politically incorrect evening’s entertainment was the result! This was a top notch production from the expert team at the Hippodrome where the enthusiasm and commitment from everyone involved bounced across the footlights and spread out into the auditorium and beyond. 

The large cast of talented youngsters filled the stage from the off and bowled into life immediately. The decision to effect scene changes and rearrange the stage furniture by way of the cast bringing on individual blocks to create different levels and seating areas etc was certainly interesting: it was a little distracting initially but soon settled down to become an engaging enough part of the evening’s entertainment. Helen Clarkson’s command of her orchestra was as poised and pin-sharp as ever and perfectly complemented the action on stage. I did feel that the amplified electronics in the pit tended to drown out the acoustic orchestral players however, which was a shame. Nevertheless, the chorus were all well-drilled and sounded lovely, adding much to the production.

The very demanding role of the Narrator - who hardly ever leaves the stage all evening - was in the capable hands of Rebecca Spooner who did a sterling job. In fine voice all evening and with clear diction, Rebecca also had the admirable quality of acting as a caring guardian to the youngsters on stage at any given moment, guiding both the audience and the cast on stage through the events of the evening, Rebecca did a fine job. Joseph Dowling brought a commendably forthright Joseph to the stage - along with a very ‘1989 haircut’ and bags of charm - which was very impressive. Between them, Joseph and the Narrator lead the audience through the Biblical events onstage and both performers excelled. 

The show itself is - as we all know - a series of musical pastiches, brought to life in fine style by Tim Rice’s fantastic lyrics and each bit of musical nonsense was treated with the requisite tongue in cheek vigour to bring out the humour of the lyrics. Each of the show’s segments was well directed and grasped the intention of the spoof narrative. James Shepherd was a fantastic Pharaoh - great moves and a great outfit James! - Samuel Rawlinson was a gloriously politically incorrect Jacob (blessings to both you and the production team!) and the Potiphars (Oliver Quantrill-Scott and Lucy Wheadon) gave good value. I must give a ‘shout out’ - is that the modern phrase? - to Phoebe Fielden who gave a spectacular turn with her dance routine which was nothing short of fantastic.

Direction, choreography and staging were all first class and added much to the production, backed up by excellent technical support, with sound and lighting complementing the vision of the show superbly. On a more personal note, ‘Joseph’ at Todmorden was one of the first youth musicals I had the privilege of attending when I started as a NODA rep over 10 years ago: unfortunately, it may well be one of the last junior shows I attend in the same capacity as D3 rep. A well produced, capacity crowd pleasing night at the theatre on both occasions, what better way to go out?!

My thanks to everyone at Todmorden for a wonderful evening’s entertainment and I wish you all the best for the future.

Todmorden Hippodrome’s place at the heart of the cultural life of District 3 is assured.

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