Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Oxford New Theatre

Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber

Lyrics: Tim Rice

Director: Bill Kenwright

Reviewer: Rebecca Brinkler

The Public Reviews Rating:

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was the first collaboration between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice and a 15 minute version of the show was first presented in London in 1968. Since then it has been expanded and traveled around the globe. This touring version of the show has been running since August 2007, starring Craig Chalmers from the BBC’s ‘Any Dream Will Do’.

The show tells the biblical story of Joseph, the favourite of Jacob’s twelve sons. His brothers become jealous of their father’s favouritism and sell Joseph as a slave. He finds himself in Egypt, where his talent for interpreting dreams elevates him into a position of power before he is reunited with his family.

This show is a surreal technicolor spectacle full of imagination and flare. The set design by Sean Cavanagh is inventive and larger than life – really making you feel you are at a west end theatre, Impressive for a show which is constantly on the move. My personal favourite was the inflating sheep!

Bill Kenwright’s direction has produced a very dynamic show which almost demands audience participation. This it has achieved, as a packed theatre on a Monday night were clapping (and some singing) along with the songs.

All performances were outstanding and the cast worked incredibly well together. In particular, Craig Chalmers is fantastic as Joseph, he seems to have immersed himself in the role, singing and acting to a high standard and appearing to enjoy himself along the way. Also Trina Hill, the narrator, has an amazingly powerful voice, exudes charisma and carries the production with ease. The eleven brothers form an entertaining group, adding to their songs with well choreographed and energetic dance routines.

Backing singers in the show are the Joseph Choir from Oxford Stagecoach. This group of around twenty children are onstage throughout the show, having their own spot in the limelight on return from the interval.

The live orchestra in the pit gave the show a big full sound. This show has almost no spoken dialogue, meaning the orchestra are playing from start to finish. The music has depth and energy and is a perfect compliment to the performances on stage.

Don’t expect a serious rendition of the Genesis story if you go to see this show, it is bright, lively and thoroughly entertaining. It contains musical styles from Gospel to Elvis and gets the audience tapping its feet along. This is a family friendly show which delivers exactly what you expect. It was wonderfully weird but my inner child cried out for more!