Review: Joseph, a technicolor extravaganza

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is an incredible musical. Written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, the show is entirely sung by an incredible cast and includes hits such as Close Every Door and of course Joseph’s Coat (who can sing all the colours?)

Joe McElderry suits the role of Joseph perfectly. The X Factor wonder brings vulnerability and wide-eyed enthusiasm to the role. I’ve seen the role of Joseph played in numerous different ways, but his almost childlike innocence and sparkling humour was perhaps the best way I’ve seen it done. His voice is, of course, amazing, and he has a great connection with the rest of the cast.

I was slightly apprehensive about Lucy Kay, best known for being the runner-up opera singer in Britain’s Got Talent, playing the Narrator. However, Lucy’s voice is simply stunning. She ranges from soft operatic tones to roaring almost rock-opera style in the more serious scenes and her talent really shines through. She’s on stage a lot of the time but she never seems to be an unnecessary presence. Both the clever staging and direction, and her ability to blend in with the cast makes her presence an asset rather than an irritance.

The rest of the cast are strong, though perhaps the “stand-out” brother, for me, is Jamie Jukes as Zabulun. Everyone performs with all the energy and enthusiasm that Joseph, as a show, requires.

In terms of costume and staging, there isn’t really too much going on that I haven’t seen in previous productions of the show. There’s the singing camel (of course), the cheerleaders during Song of The King (naturally) and the fantastic technicolor dreamcoat (incredible, as always). This isn’t a bad thing, though. Sometimes trying hard to do something “original” with a show just ends up spoiling an already pretty perfect formula and I think Director Bill Kenwright gets it spot it, as usual. The standing ovation at the end of the show certainly seems proof enough that this is a show not to be missed, and a show that will go on to entertain, inspire and bring joy to many, many generations.

Catch Joseph at Leeds Grand Theatre until Saturday 26th March.