Review: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, Birmingham Hippodrome - UK tour
Photo credit: Tristram Kenton
“I close my eyes, drew back the curtain”.. is definitely up there as the start of one of the most recognisable musical theatre songs of all time. With over 20,000 productions staged worldwide since it was first produced in London’s West End in 1973, it's also one of the most popular musicals of all time with British audiences. For some of us as well, it definitely brings some nostalgia to being back in primary school. After its popularity last summer at the London Palladium, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is now touring until October 2022. It is definitely the time to see one of the best Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals, ever.
This new production, directed by Laurence Connor, feels very fresh for a modern-day audience. Even for audiences who may have seen this production numerous times, they will enjoy it just as much as the first time. It is a production that heavily relies on the music to do the storytelling, a simplistic but incredibly effective way for this show to delight audiences. It is a musical that moves at an accelerating pace but the narration and music enables new audiences to understand exactly what is unfolding in the story.
The cast in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat do an exceptional job at delivering bags full of energy and joy into every beat of this show. The most pinnacle element within the cast is the children’s choir who definitely breathe a whole different layer of energy to the production in comparison to the adult cast. They intertwine themselves into the entire story - some even playing brothers and wives! It really defines how theatre is an art form for all, regardless of your age!
Leading the cast as Joseph is Jac Yarrow who delivers a first-class performance in his professional debut, direct from the London Palladium last summer. Yarrow manages to capture something new and engaging into a role that has been done over and over again. His performance stands above the rest for sure. Alexandra Burke is, however, the performer that steals the show. Burke is the narrator who also works through a feast of colourful cameo characters in the story, every one of them hitting the note and receiving well from the audience. She has a real electric presence on the stage, with an incredible vocal ability to boot. Jason Donovan has a full circle moment with this show, joining as the Pharaoh in this production. In comparison to his Joseph days in 1991, Donovan has a great rapport in musicals and his rock n roll rendition of ‘Song of the King’ definitely delights certain members of the audience!
Creatively this production uses a modern and simplistic canvas for the large part of it, leaving huge space for the characters to transition and build on their story by using their movement, supported massively by Joanne M. Hunter's vibrant choreography and Ben Cracknell’s superb finishing touches with the lighting. The space itself really develops in the second half and becomes more appealing in eye-catching fashion.
May I return to the beginning and see Joseph again? It’s a dazzling spectacle and true golden nugget of British musical theatre that you need to tick off your bucket list.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Emmie Newitt
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays at Birmingham Hippodrome until 16 April, with tickets available here. To book tickets for other select touring venues, please click here.
