| Joseph... | Venue: Grand Opera House, York Dates: 16th to 21st April 2007 Tickets: £8.50 - £15 Box office 0870 606 3595 |
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is one of musical theatre’s biggest hits. Originally written in 1968 by a very young Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice as a 20 minute school play, it’s now the subject of another reality TV show as Sir Andrew lets the discerning British public choose an unknown to play Joseph. Following hot on the heels of Philip Schofield, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond as well as several excellent Josephs who have brought their dreamcoats to regional theatres over the years, it's a hard act to follow. The Grand Opera House in York was one of those regional theatres to welcome back Joseph along with his Dad Jacob and 11 brothers in the latest tour. I must confess to having seen Joseph several times, it’s one of my absolute favourite musicals, no matter how many times you see it, it’s still magical.  | | The Pharoah struts his stuff! |
This time around I took my eight year old nephew, Michael to see it. He knew the bible story it’s based on as he’d learnt about it at school, but that couldn’t prepare him for the spectacle ahead. He was spellbound throughout! Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a riot of colour, music, and laughter from beginning to end as the brothers plot to get rid of Joseph and his subsequent rise to power as the Pharoah’s (parodied as “The King” Elvis Presley) right hand man. Musical styles from Country to Calypso and everything in between are covered as the story is told. A very young (and handsome) Jonathan Parkin played the title role in his professional theatre debut – what a start! He had great stage presence and a fantastic voice, his rendition of the very moving and difficult ‘Close Every Door To Me’ was one of the best I’ve heard. If you haven’t already seen Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, then I suggest you do. It’s family entertainment at its best. Michael’s comments as we left the theatre still singing included “mint”, “awesome” and “very funny”…so what are you waiting for? Carole Green and Michael Barker | 
