Recent Press |
Emily Kay, aged seven, of Wolverhampton, with the show's star, Graham Tudor |
© Express & Star, 1997-2002 |
Wolverhampton Express and Star No tiring of favourite musical By Joe Sweeney Aug 22, 2002, 10:58am Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Birmingham Hippodrome. It seems audiences never tire of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's colourful piece of musical escapism, as the show tours with frequent regularity and is still packing them in. This latest production, under the direction of the esteemed Bill Kenwright, remains a visually lavish spectacle, enhanced here by the Hippodrome's wide stage. The songs, still favourites with many who come back again and again to hear them - as this capacity crowd proved - are presented with a vibrance that equals the production's sparkling visuals. The audience had provided the entertainment when they arrived for the show. An improvised singalong was held in the street outside the theatre, leading to generous applause from passers-by. Cast-wise, this current rendition is in more than capable hands. Cannock's own Graham Tudor is a fresh-faced Joseph and vocally impressive, giving the necessary weight to the show's two best known numbers, Close Every Door and the climactic Any Dream Will Do. Also, in Vivienne Carlyle the show has one of its strongest narrators for some years. Trevor Jary's take on the Elvis-esque Pharaoh received plenty of laughs, while his vocal pastiche of The King proved spot on. The whole tried and tested affair which runs until August 31 is backed up by some superb choreography. © Express & Star, 1997-2002 |
BBC Birmingham Birmingham Hippodrome August 19th - August 31st, 2002 Reviewed by Felicity Arblaster Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat has come along way since its creation as a fifteen minute school entertainment in the late 60s. Seeing Joseph again is a bit like catching up with an old friend, you might have not met for a number of years, but after a few minutes it's as if you have never been away. This all singing, all dancing visual extravaganza which is the latest Bill Kenwright production at the Hippodrome runs for around an hour and three quarters and fills the stage with lively, tuneful action. From the 'H' look-alike Joseph, to the Tutenkahmun version of the Sphinx there is lots to catch the eye, and for those who love the music a highly proficient cast who do justice to this Rice Lloyd-Webber classic. The packed house on the night I saw the production was made up mostly of adults, but for those who haven't been in school productions, seen it before, or watched the Donny Osmond video, this is the story. It's is based on the Bible story of Joseph and his eleven jealous brothers. Joseph is a dreamer, and what is worse his dreams seem to come true. Sick of him being their father's favourite son the brothers hatch a plot to rid themselves of their tiresome sibling. He is sold into slavery and turns up in Egypt where he impresses Pharaoh's right-hand man Potiphar. All is going well until Potiphar's scheming wife sets her sights on Joseph, who spurns her attentions, which results in him ending up in prison. Can Joseph escape his cruel and unjust fate? Will the brothers back in Canaan ever change their ways? And can Pharaoh find the answer to his disturbing dreams? This production boasts a fresh faced likeable Joseph, played by Graham Tudor, a quite frightening mob of brothers, a highly vampish high-kicking lady in red as Potiphar's wife, and a gyrating Elvis in his karating - kicking white-suit and rhinestone period. The musical numbers are excellently sung, well staged, and the cheerleaders and American football players add to the surreal Pharaoh scenes. My only real criticism is the way the choir of children, on stage throughout, tend to be drowned out by the principles. It's a pity there is not more interaction with the young cast in the first half of the show. All in all those who love Joseph will have a great night out, and those who are seeing it for the first time welcome to the club who keep coming back for more. British Broadcasting Corporation © 2001 |
