Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Whitworth Amateur Musical & Dramatic Society should be incredibly proud of their
production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. From the moment
the stage was revealed, there was a clear sense of energy, confidence and
enjoyment that carried throughout the performance. This was an enjoyable and
vibrant take on a much-loved musical, and the audience response throughout
showed just how much fun everyone was having.

This production was guided by Director Adam Kelly, whose leadership was clear
throughout. The direction allowed the audience to relax into the performance and
trust the world being created on stage. With a show as fast-paced and ensemble-
driven as Joseph, strong direction is essential, and this was evident from start to
finish. There was a clear sense of structure and confidence across the company,
which comes from strong leadership.
The choreography by Emma Bradburn brought a huge amount of life and character
to the stage. The movement was fun, engaging and worked beautifully with the
music. It was clear Emma had spent time ensuring every cast member felt
comfortable and confident in what they were doing. I particularly enjoyed the
choreography for the brothers — each performer maintained their own individuality
while still moving together as one unit, which worked really well and added to the
characterisation of the group.
Musically, Jeremy Sleith led the company well. The harmonies and vocals
throughout the performance were strong, creating both the lighter comedic moments
and the more emotional beats within the show. Numbers such as Close Every
Door allowed the company to show another side to their performance, bringing
sincerity and depth when needed.

Costume by Jenny Kelly, Gina Wilson, Philippa Jepson, Collette Pedder, Jude
Carl, Linda Chatterjea, Jemma Harden and Eleanor Kelly on wigs was colourful,
appropriate and helped bring the world of the show to life. A special mention must go
to the technicolor coat itself, which looked fantastic and had the impact it deserved.
Set, scenery and props by Paul Wynn, Gerald Hinchliffe, Lindsay Ellis, Andrew
Dodman, Phil Ellis, Andrew Fiddler and Paul Dawson worked well throughout,
supporting the storytelling without overwhelming it. Lighting by Elizabeth Ashworth,
Gerald Hinchliffe, Daniel Groves, Alan Usher and Connor Hasler O’Neill helped
create atmosphere and supported the many changes in mood and location.

This was very much an ensemble-driven performance, and the ensemble were key
to bringing this production to life. From the brothers to the Egyptian moments, to the
wider company scenes, the cast brought energy, commitment and enjoyment to the
stage.
There were several standout performances on the evening. Charlotte Crossley as
the Narrator delivered a wonderful performance. Her energy and stage presence
were constant throughout, and she balanced the demands of storytelling and singing beautifully.
She guided the audience through the piece with confidence and warmth, never missing a beat.

Alex Wylie, taking on the title role of Joseph in his first production with Whitworth,
should be very proud. He took to the stage with confidence and handled the
demands of the role well. His vocals were strong, and he led the story with sincerity.
If I could offer one piece of encouragement, it would simply be to let go even more —
some of your strongest moments came when you were fully living in the moment,
and those moments were beautiful to watch.
Two performances that really stood out to me were Simon Ibison as Reuben
and Gareth Baddeley as Simeon. These two had me in stitches throughout.
Whether it was a glance, a reaction, or a dance moment, the comedic chemistry
between them was a joy to watch. Both individually and together, they brought so
much fun and character to the stage.

Finally, a standout performance for me came from Elliott O’Brart as Judah. From
your first moment on stage, you fully committed to the role and never let that energy
drop. Your characterisation was strong, your comedy landed naturally, and your
vocals remained confident throughout.
Overall, this was a strong and enjoyable production from Whitworth Amateur Musical
& Dramatic Society. The buzz in the audience throughout and after the performance
said everything — this was a company enjoying what they do and sharing that joy
with everyone in the room.
Thank you for inviting my guest and me to your production. I look forward to seeing
what Whitworth brings to the stage next.

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