Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Louth Playgoers
The Riverhead Theatre, Louth
10 - 21 May 2023
I have a confession, I am not a huge fan of Joseph etc. by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. I never have been. Nevertheless, I rocked up to dress rehearsals at Louth's Riverhead Theatre, at the invitation of Director Vanessa Allison ready to sit through TWO performances with their alternate children's teams and dual cast Narrators. Despite my natural hesitancy, I knew I was in for a great show from the team at Louth Playgoers. With the direction of Allison assisted by Claire Burton, and musical direction by Jacqueline Wilson, coupled with choreography by Studio 2000's Nicky Wright I was reassured that my afternoon was going to be in good hands and I was not disappointed. For fans of the show, and even non-fans like myself, it is everything you could hope for and more.
This version of the tale of Joseph, a rainbow coat, his jealous siblings and his eventual rise to power is hugely entertaining and family audiences are going to love it. The show looks truly spectacular with amazing costumes and a set with so many levels, that lights brilliantly to create the perfect moods required for each scene and each setting. The look of the show is best described as sumptuous, a luscious colour pallet that lifts the audience with its vibrancy and a chorus whose moves truly light up the stage in great costumes.
The role of Joseph is one which comes with massive expectations. After all, the performer chosen has to spend most of the show exposing his physique to the audience with little more than a loincloth to preserve his modesty. Jason Donovan famously revived the show at the Palladium and was replaced by Philip Schofield and others including Donny Osmond and Lee Mead found after a TV show search for a star have all worn the loincloth. Here at Louth, the role goes to James Clark, last seen as the diminutive Lord Farqhaud in Shrek at the Riverhead last year. Clark looks absolutely to the manor born in the role. Not afraid to reveal his physique, he cuts a striking figure and has a sensational voice to back up the look for the role. He makes an ideal leading man and his response to the seduction by Mrs Potiphar was deliciously uncomfortable, leading to a gorgeous performance of Close Every Door To Me, on a starkly lit stage and looking intensely vulnerable.
The other lead role of note is that of The Narrator, a role most female performers want to get the opportunity to play at one stage in their career. In this production, the role is shared by two performers who perform at alternate performances. First up was Nicola Drewery, a name many will be unfamiliar with as her last performance at the Riverhead was under her maiden name of Nicola Law in the one-woman show Tell Me On A Sunday.
The second Narrator I watched is Evangeline Elizabeth, last seen as Aladdin in the 2019 Panto of the same name. She had been due to perform as Nancy in the cancelled 2020 performance of Oliver! Both women are consummate performers of musical theatre and succeed in bringing a united front to the performance of the role of Narrator. So seamlessly do they perform the role, the one performance seems to run into the other without any noticeable decline in quality. They are both actors at the top of their game bringing warmth and charm to the role whilst delivering powerhouse vocals, with breathtaking stage presence.
One notable cameo role is that of The Pharaoh, played by Louth newcomer Steve Dickons. It is a role to get your teeth into and to really milk for all it is worth. Dickons is still finding his feet in this role, and was decidedly stronger in the second performance of the day as he relaxed and let himself go, as a hip-swiveling pastiche of The King of Rock 'n' Roll. He can afford to go even further over the top as he finds his level, and he has the talent to deliver when audiences are present to give him instantaneous feedback.
Joseph's conniving brothers provide a nice contrast to the sweetness and optimism of Joseph, who is the apple of is father Jacob's (played by Richard Moulds) eye. In fairness, Jacob does unfairly spoil Joseph and we might all be a little bit like Joseph's siblings in similar circumstances. A strong chorus of brothers is packed with seasoned adult performers and Mark Thompson delivers a wonderful version of One More Angel and Jamie Harris enjoys himself immensely singing Those Canaan Days. Ben Gilbert, doubling as Judah and Potiphar, as required, has a great presence here too. Whilst all the brothers are strong and hold their own, special mention should go to the youngest brother Benjamin played by Jake Taylor - who absolutely holds his own with the adults with his passion, focus, and commitment. He gives a really mature performance for one so young and certainly does not look out of place among the cast.
The last stand out cameo I want to mention is that of Rosie Munyard, another first-timer with Louth Playgoers, who as Mrs Potiphar proves to be a real scene stealer. Her dancing and characterisation demonstrate a performer of a high calibre and I would not be at all surprised to see her returning, given bigger roles in future. She clearly has the talent and the charisma to take on lead roles, as evidenced by her previous track record elsewhere.
The adult chorus perform well throughout offering a bright and vibrant support and in Go Go Go Joseph, really let rip with their outlandish costumes and wild dance moves, I really enjoyed that number. But as with all productions of Joseph, it is the inclusion of the Children's Chorus that makes so many of the songs work. Here, two teams of children alternate performances. The quality of their vocal backing, taught by MD Wilson, really enhances the performance and although they remain outside the action of the play, it would be nothing without them.
Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat is a powerhouse production that will endure for many years to come, as it is such a familiar favourite with audiences and I can guarantee that those fans who come to see this production will not leave disappointed. As for me, was I converted by this production? I hate to admit it but maybe I was, it is a charming and colourful spectacle that made a deep impression on me and I can tell audiences will love it. This production runs from 10 May - 21 May and some tickets are still available. Details on the poster below.
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