Review: Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Approaching 40 years of age, this grand old lady of musical theatre has had a massive facelift. turning it from a rather tired entity into a fresh and vibrant show at Leeds Grand Theatre full of infectious energy and vitality.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Mar 2016, 18:47 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2016, 20:34 BST
A scene from Joseph and His Technicolor Dreamcoat.A scene from Joseph and His Technicolor Dreamcoat.
A scene from Joseph and His Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Its musical score embraces some of the best loved songs that have been revamped ingeniously and cleverly wrapped around the story to embrace country and western, calypso, 20s razzmatazz jazz and rock ’n’ roll.

The production is seamless with blow-up sheep, talking camels some rather camp flunkies. The lighting, choreography and design border on brilliance and move the production along at break neck speed. For me the role of Joseph will always belong to Jason Donovan, but I have to admit, having seen the show dozens of times, Joe McElderrry is the best Joseph I have seen since the iconic Donovan.

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McElderry is totally believable. He can act, sing and puts his own stamp on the role, especially with the highly charged emotional Close Every Door to Me which was pure gold.

The narrator I always feel is a thankless part, but Lucy Kay shows what a highly talented singer and actress she is because you remember her long after the final curtain.

With a high energy chorus of brothers, supporting roles and a well drilled children’s chorus, Joseph has certainly stood the test of time and still rocks as much as it did all those decades ago.

Liz Coggins

Runs until March 26.

Related topics:Jason Donovan