Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat

For a show that has now been attracting large audiences for over 50 years now and to many considered possibly a bit stale in its current format it was interesting to see what Darlington Operatic Society could do with it to match the huge successes of recent years. Well under the artistic genius of Director Joanne Hand there should never have been any doubt as what we were treated to was an exhilarating, action packed modern take on the Lloyd Webber and Rice classic, Joseph and The Technicolour Dreamcoat. Every scene and number had a new angle to it, a new style and approach that brought it to life. If it wasn’t for the songs that we all know and love you could have been convinced that this was a new production.

The staging was fantastic with a full stage width angled staircase giving the stage depth and elevation. Behind it was a huge video screen that really modernised the visuals with oversized phone images and hashtags flooding the stage with colour and content. The staircase would open up to reveal an extra central entrance which was often full of dazzling light and smoke filled tunnels. All very cleverly planned out and expertly designed with a large technical team at the helm. The lighting added extra dimensions to each scene and added great contrasts between the lively scenes and more somber moments, I loved the 8 blue beams of light creating the bars for the prison scene.

The sound of the whole production too really brought the Theatre to life, the huge orchestra expertly managed by MD Paul Walker and assisted by Sarah Harland. Not only did they bring out the best of the band but vocally the whole production was breathtaking. The large ensemble numbers packed with power and control, the harmonies were clear and crisp and even the off stage vocals were timed to perfection with clarity and tonal perfection.

There are so many positives to highlight in this production but I must really praise the use of the Juniors in the show. Often in Joseph they are used as a cute mini ensemble, tucked away in a corner and there for ticket sales. Well not in this show, they were a focal centrepiece used from the opening number right through to the Megamix and they proved themselves to be true future stars of any society. Joanne really captured the heart of this being a story recreated for future generations with our wonderful narrator Samantha Morrison taking these Juniors on a magical journey through Egypt. The talented 8 of Arabella Lowrie, Chloe Gowling, Lucie Bell, Penny Metcalfe, Thomas Loftus, Holly Neale, Rosie Tolson and Cassie Hide were a massive part of the production with solo vocals, complex routines and involvement in every scene and they all owned that stage surrounded by great role models. What a great 1st experience for these Juniors to be on the big stage with such a talented company and I am sure the other Team of 8 will have excelled and enjoyed the show just as much.

Joseph has over the years almost become a production focussed on which Celebrity will take the lead with huge names such as Jason Donovan in the title role and later to boost interest a whole TV show setup to choose the next Lead Actor. Well in this production as brilliant as the leads were, what truly made this show a resounding success was the immense quality of the huge ensemble. A talented collective of skilled dancers, great character performers and overall a completely united cast. 

Joanne’s choreography is never simple yet the hours put in and the dedication from the cast make it look so. The movement across the stage was so slick at times it looked like a metronome with everyone moving in perfect synchronisation. The range of alternative genres of dance were all mastered from a wonderful western ho-down to some beautiful individual work from Zoe Bellamy and Luke Oldfield in Canaan Days. Lucy Ivison really shone in her seductive role as Mrs Potiphar combining a sassy mannerism with some wonderful leg work in her routines. Other dancers really catching the eye included Faith Small, Adele McNally and Safah Alazzawi although it almost feels wrong to highlight individuals as the whole company simply excelled.

Most societies often have to have females in the “Brother” roles such is the lack of male cast members but there was something really fresh about having an all male brotherhood in this production. Every single one of them acted their songs off from start to finish, embracing all of the excellent numbers and routines. The acting and characterisation off script was brilliant to watch and the energy remained at a constant high. Their big numbers were so action packed from One More Angel, led brilliantly by the excellent Eddie Taylor-Jones right through to the hilarious Canaan Days where Luke Oldfield showed great humour and cheek to his character Simeon. 

Every single brother really shone with great vocals combining with lovely dance ability to allow Jo Hand’s direction and comedy in these numbers to thrive. Joseph Arnott and Jack Machin also doubled up as the Baker and Butler in the Prison scene with each added extra life to these well known characters in the story.

One actor who really seized his moment on stage was Steven Dunn as the Elvis-esque Pharoah, what a great performance. His mannerisms were almost as electric as his leg wiggles, his quivering lip and raised eyebrows adding to the character and his on stage chemistry with Joseph was great to watch as he fell down the pecking order of favouritism. A great characterisation and wonderful version of one of my favourite numbers in the show backed up by a scintillating backing dance routine from the whole ensemble.

Julian Cound really shone, doubling in his two very different roles as Jacob and Potiphar. The geriatric and wobbly characterisation of the father figure a lovely contrast to the hyper energetic and quirky Egyptian Officer. His little one liners, especially in Canaan Days were timed to perfection demonstrating excellent comic timing and understanding of both roles. 

Keeping us on track with the whole story throughout the evening was the amazing Samantha Morrison in the iconic role of Narrator. Again not kept on the sidelines her interaction with the children was honest and heartwarming showing a true tenderness and affection. Her vocals were sensational with a perfect tone and pitch whilst showcasing true story telling excellence. Every word had the audience drawn in, the first 30 seconds of the whole show actually gave me goosebumps. Whilst she displayed motherhood in her interactions with the Juniors she allowed a spark and energy to thrive when combining with Joseph creating a great contrast in her character.

Ben Connor took on the title role, really displaying a great depth to the character. Both in his mannerisms and vocals we saw numerous sides to the role. He was able to convey weaknesses and strength, vulnerability and arrogance to Joseph as the story developed. Once again displaying a lovely voice, what came across more importantly was the control. His numbers were handled with compassion particularly in Close Every Door where he resisted the urge to belt it out and left it very late to really raise the emotion and energy in the number. A brilliant performance and also one where he resisted the temptation to make the production all about him, he melted into scenes where required and shone when the story called for it. Great direction and delivery combining to great effect.

I have left one of the best aspects of the production to the end of this report and that is the excellence of the costumes from the Wardrobe Team. Headed up by Linda Sams, with some numbers hired in but a vast majority produced for this production the whole visuals certainly lived up to the title Techniclour. Every scene was an absolute masterclass in style and colour. Certain costumes retained the authenticity required whilst the huge ensemble outfits were a blast of colour. Think ancient Egypt yet throw it into a Vegas setting and you might have a slight idea. Every element was carefully planned and brilliantly executed. From the iconic headdresses through to the giant golden fabrics fans everything was sublime. The detail in every piece was so iconic that Joseph’s oversized coat at the end almost seemed low-key in comparison. A huge well done to everyone involved, the colour and impact created by these pieces combined with Joanne’s vision and choreography to perfection.

This was a fast paced production, so much so that when the interval arrived after the party atmosphere of Go Go Go Joseph I felt I had just sat down and the intensity and action never once slowed down so I am so glad that the show finished on a great high with the Megamix. The audience were on their feet feeding off the energy of the cast, we clapped till our hands ached and sat in true appreciation of an exceptional performance of every member of the cast, young and old. 

Modern productions may be the more popular choice for societies these days but what Joanne Hand and the whole team of DOS showed tonight is that you can take a show written in 1973, put your own take on it and make it feel like it was written last year. A huge thank you to everyone involved in this latest blockbuster of a production and I cannot wait to see what you have up your sleeve for We Will Rock You in the Autumn.

 

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