Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is back in Bristol, and the standard is as high as one would expect from such a classic production and quality songwriting. Everything is as slick as it should be, from the choreography and costumes to the musical production.
In the starring role of Joseph is Keith Jack, who proved his musical theatre credentials by coming a close second in BBC1’s Any Dream Will Do in 2007. Jack certainly fits the bill, taking the audience with him through his journey and eventual reconciliation with his family with his fantastically strong voice.
Jennifer Potts was perfect in the role of Narrator, blending the scenes and essentially carrying the show. The choir of children from the Bristol School of Performing Arts were adorable, and the brothers lent the show its energy.
The standout performance was Adam Jarrell’s Pharaoh. He definitely has a career as an Elvis impersonator to fall back on. The Superbowl theme complete with cheerleaders and American footballers was an undoubted highlight of the show.
Everything about this musical is bound to please; the songs are so thoroughly etched on everyone’s minds from countless school plays across the country. Everyone feels they own a piece of this musical, even my companion whose role in 1991 was as a cloud.
This love for Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s musical – which somehow mixes together calypso, rock and roll, disco, and country and western – was no more evident than when the audience stood to applaud the last ten minutes, way before the curtain finally dropped.
The problem with such affection and ownership was the overwhelming urge to sing along, especially when it came to Any Dream Will Do, with one particularly enthusiastic fan bursting into the a-ha-ha’s at the first opportunity, seats scarcely warm.
Joseph is a much-loved musical, and it’s great to have it back in Bristol with a new leading man. There will be a huge splash of colour during its week-long run.
Review by Lizzie Murray
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat is at the Bristol Hippodrome until February 27. Click here for more information.
