Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is always a good ensemble piece, and this production benefitted from the simplicity of the direction.  The church lent itself well to the piece, I enjoyed the ambience created.

I was impressed by the quality of the sound emitted by the cast from a small Society not used to performing musicals, and the accompaniment from Any Note Will Do gave good backing.  Lighting effects were nicely achieved.

I liked the overtures, they were lively and created the right atmosphere. However, I thought it was a shame that the cast and junior choir came on so early at the start of Act 1 – as they had to stand for a long time.

The simplicity of the backdrop was good, with the choir using the upstairs pews, and the Narrators occasionally using the organ loft creating a good dimensional aspect for the audience, and it also spread the sound well.

Costumes were good, they depicted the right feel for the parts. 

I was very impressed with the two Narrators, Tammy Calvert and Hannah  Mitchelmore, they sang extremely well, and their voices blended nicely – they also interacted well with the cast, encouraging them to give us loads of energy.  Their dresses were very striking too.

Chris Fletcher created a good character as Joseph and sang the part well, although his nerves showed at times, but that said he tackled Close Every Door very well.  I enjoyed him arriving, not in a chariot but on an electric scooter, an innovative thought.

Stephen Parry was a forceful Potiphar, reacting well to Donna Fletcher’s scheming Mrs Potiphar.  Stephen brought his character strength into his number too.

The children’s choir sang really well, and I liked them being brought on stage by the Narrators for Close Every Door.  There were some lovely smiley faces there, and as a group they performed and behaved really well throughout.

Malcolm Calvert was a very concerned father as Jacob, with the brothers and the wives all forming a good group.  I was particularly impressed by Kieran Pritchard as Benjamin, he created a good character.

I thought Ivor Mitchelmore as the Baker sang very well.

I loved the look of Steve Loczy, as an Elvis version of Pharaoh, he looked the part and sang it extremely well, showing the full power and range of his voice.

It was lovely to be able to celebrate 40 years of Square Drama, with Bridget and Malcolm Calvert at the helm.  Long may it continue.

We thoroughly enjoyed our evening, and this production was the best I’ve seen Square Drama do.  Very well done to everyone concerned.

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