When the touring production of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT was announced we were promised the London Palladium show right here on our own doorstep. Having seen that West End production twice now over the last three years, and with a lot of the same cast, I wondered if the claim was all it was made out to be.
After all, the London Palladium is a big deal, there are huge expectations for a show which makes it onto that 112 year old stage. So, as we bring you our review from last nights performance at the New Theatre in Cardiff, I can tell you, without a shadow of doubt, this is exactly what I saw on stage at the London Palladium, with the added bonus of being right here at home, which makes it so much better.
While the latest Andrew Lloyd Webber London offering isn’t quite doing as it should, it’s nice to be reminded where it all began for him and writing partner Tim Rice. Joseph was their first publicly performed piece way back in 1968 and from that day on, every revival has been an assured hit, with some big names filling that skimpy loincloth – except this time the loincloth is gone, replaced by white trousers and a belt.
Much better my nana would have said.
This time around it’s Welsh Valley’s boy JAC YARROW who brings us his take on Joseph, and I have to tell, he is something really special. If you take a listen to our interview with Jac, you’ll hear him say this was his first West End role straight from drama school. In fact, in the audience on opening night were his assessors, marking his performance for his degree. Needless to say he passed with – well, flying colours I guess.
His voice is second to none, and he gives his other co-star, ALEXANDRA BURKE a run for her money on the vocal front, he sure can belt out a song. His rendition of ‘Close Every Door‘ had us all on the edge of our seats, and a little short of giving him a mid-show standing ovation. Really stunning stuff Jac.
You might think the lead role may be an easy one, squeaky clean guy, putting the world to rights with his strange dreams and a cheery song, but actually it requires something a little extra to bring him to life. Jac does that by simply being himself, at least that’s how it seems to me. There’s an ease and something really comfortable about watching this 23 year old lad from Creigiau on stage.
It’s a little unfair of me to say this, as all the Jospeh’s I’ve seen over the years have been really good, and I’ve seen a lot. Donovan, Schofield, McElderry and Mead, and as good as they all were, Jac is definitely our new favourite – and he’s Welsh.
There was a poll carried out Pre-Jac looking for our favourite Joseph, we have the top seven at the bottom of this page.
Before we go on with our review of the show in Cardiff, time to get some audience reaction. A little different this time. Not only do the enthusiastic crowd tell us what they think, but we also hear from JAC YARROW, who we spoke to at Cardiff Castle, where he came along for a photo session, with that famous Coat of many colours.
We obviously talked about the show, but also how special it is to walk on to the New Theatre stage.
Watch out too for Jac’s Dad John who was waiting at the stage door when we spoke to him, as you can imagine, he is one extremely proud Dad, and rightly so John……
The aforementioned Alexandra Burke is perfectly cast as the Narrator, in some ways an equally pivotal role in the show. There’s barely a scene where Alex isn’t on stage, and when she is, she is a real scene-stealer.
There’s no denying she can sing, just listen to that incredible rendition of HALLELUJAH from X Factor – incidentally, Christmas 2008 (I know!). But again Alexandra has a real ease on stage, and this role is so well suited to her. She has such a brilliant way with the kids in the cast, and also the one waiting patiently to arrive and meet his/her incredibly talented Mummy.
She seems to have found a successful home on stage having recently been in Sister Act, The Bodyguard and Chicago, in Joseph however she sings, dances, and is really funny, which is demonstrated brilliantly in the seduction scene in which she plays Potiphar’s wife. It’s OTT and as camp as the tents out in the desert where Joseph’s brothers live.
Which brings us nicely onto the said brothers – who again have a show stealing moment with the ‘Canaan Days‘ routine. I’ve seen it a hundred times, and heard the lines as often, but delivered right, which they were last night, they still make you laugh.
The song is set during the seven years of famine, as predicted by Joseph, and has some lovely acting as they deliver lines like “No one comes for dinner now – We would eat them anyhow”. The dancing is first class, and we get a bit of everything thrown in from the brothers, even some can-can, until one brother pipes up – “I said Canaan, not can-can“.
While not being the biggest role in the production, the Pharaoh is nevertheless a key moment which we all wait eagerly for. It’s like a visit to Las Vegas, with King Elvis inhabiting the spirit of said ruler. And it’s BOBBY WINDEBANK who plays the Egyptian leader.
Bobby isn’t playing every date on this current tour, which makes it difficult enough to slot into a role someone else has taken for so long. I can tell you that he is every bit a great Elvis-A-Like Pharaoh I’ve seen in any production, with all the hip swiveling, lip curling greatness a leader should have. Great job Bobby.
There is nothing to dislike about Joseph, based on the biblical story of the same name, which you can find in Genesis 37-50 if you’re searching. What is very different from the good book version are the incredibly catchy songs, brilliantly unforgettable music, and a set and costumes which looks like a multi-pack of Skittles has burst all over the stage.
When they say it’s Technicolour, boy do they mean it. MORGAN LARGE is both set and costume designer and the synergy between them all makes for one, bright and bubbly, sunny, shiny and delightfully dazzling looking stage. Add into that some pretty nifty lighting from designer BEN CRACKNELL and you have a production which pretty much hits every one of our senses.
The orchestra are truly outstanding under the Musical Direction of John Rigby, and believe me, they are a huge outfit. If you get chance, stand up before the performance and take a look over to the orchestra pit and you’ll see what I mean. You’ll find around 11 of the most talented musicians down there.
You know what you’re in for with this show and this new production delivers on every front. To say it’s timeless would be an understatement. To say it’s good fun, for all the family is what the show has maintained over the last fifty plus years. For a lot of people in the audience this is their first venture into live theatre, and we’re sure over the next few days there’ll be many more.
And so we save the best till last.
Those of us who are Joseph regulars know how eagerly anticipated and well received the Joseph Megamix is at the end. It’s always been there but became really popular during the Jason Donovan – Stock, Aitken, Waterman days. Basically, the cast come back on stage, we get on our feet, and we all sing, dance and cheer for the next five minutes. It’s brilliant, and well worth the ticket price for that alone.
Before that we do get two hours of absolute classic musical theatre songs, everything from ‘Any Dream‘, to ‘Close Every Door‘. Honestly, this show is so well known it’s like watching a greatest hits of musical songs performed in one stage show.
Jpseph is a dream of a show, coated in more memorable songs than you’ll find in any show. ‘May I Return‘? Absolutely, this is one unmissable family treat.
The sensational JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is at the New Theatre, Cardiff till Saturday 14th May. Performances are at 7:30pm each evening with a 2:30pm matinee on Thursday and Saturday. TONY EVANS will be BSL interpreting the 7:30pm on Thursday 5th May.
Don’t worry about it being too late if you’re taking the kids along, the show should be done by around 9:30pm, although they may keep you entertained for the rest of the night with all their singing. To find out more, and get yourself tickets, go HERE.
And a reminder, you can see our original feature on the show, and a bit of behind the scenes footage HERE.
Our interview with JAC YARROW is available HERE. Or you can see that, and many more, on our YouTube Channel.
Here’s that list of favourite Joseph’s (remember this is before the days of Jac Yarrow)
- Joe McElderry
- Lee Mead
- Jason Donovan
- Donny Osmond
- Phillip Schofield
- Ian ‘H’ Watkins
- Gareth Gates
And if you really want a trip down memory lane, here’s the very first soundtrack album cover for Joseph from way, way, way back when (1969)…..
