It is estimated that, over the last 40 years or so, nearly 30 million people have been to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and, after the spectacular opening night in the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, it’s very easy to see why.
So much has been written over the years about the fantastic musical score (which still remains largely unchanged), the wonderfully colourful costumes (which are just as vibrant as ever) and the palpable sense of joy that this musical gives its audience that I won’t even bother.
What I will do is to concentrate on what is new with this tour, and there is a lot. Firstly, Producer Bill Kenwright has splashed out a lot of cash on revamping the set. It may look very similar to the old one, but the new set is clean, crisp and classy and, considering that it tours almost constantly, still looks brand new.
Secondly, some of the more dated and unnecessary humour has been removed, leaving a show that takes itself a little more seriously. Gone are the days when, as Joseph sings “Just give me a number” in Close Every Door, someone in the audience would shout one out. That song is now a passionate and emotional cry for freedom, delivered with absolute perfection by the latest incumbent of the infamous loincloth.
Another change is that the Narrators songs seem to have had their tempo slightly adjusted, making it much easier to hear every word and, consequently, allowing the plot to flow a lot more smoothly.
Of course, the biggest change is in the cast. Many of the “brothers” continue in their roles, but some are new, like Benjamin Pomeroy who takes the role of Benjamin and, as well as keeping the innocence, has also injected the passion and desperation that his starring moments in the show richly deserve.
Proving that he is not only an accomplished actor and ice skater but also an incredible singer is Matt Lapinskas as Pharoah. He delivers both his numbers (Song of the King and the new addition, King of my Heart), in the traditional Elvis outfit, with supreme confidence and skill.
Following on from her enormously successful roles as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Eponine in Les Miserables, Danielle Hope now brings her amazing talent to the role of the Narrator. This pivotal role has sometimes been overlooked in previous productions but, in Miss Hope’s more than capable hands, the narrator is back in centre stage where she belongs, singing clearly, moving well and, quite obviously, loving every second of the show.
Lloyd Daniels created a great impression, and amassed a very loyal following, when he appeared on X-Factor in 2009 and now, in his first musical theatre role, he is rapidly gaining a whole new following of people who know a really talented live performer when they see one.
With a remarkable combination of boyish innocence in act one, and manly authority in act two, his performance is right on the mark and, added to that, his spirited and passionate singing voice and, what you have here is, in my opinion, one of the very best Josephs ever.
This production takes the, already high, standing of this show even higher. It moves itself subtly from a comic musical to a “family friendly” piece of musical theatre with a score packed full of familiar tunes, a superbly well rehearsed Joseph choir of local children, a captivating storyline and a cast list that is not only bursting with talent but that is also full of actors who really love what they do.
***** Five Stars
