Walsall Observer
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton
WALSALL'S own Iain Pritchard gets the biggest role of his acting career so far in th brilliant musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
He plays Gad, one of Jacob's 12 sons, and the former Aldrigde Youth Theatre actor, now 23, is full of confidence and personality as the story of Joseph's dreams unfolds.
Form much further afield, Norwegian Arvid Larsen comes in to star as Joseph, and his performance - as well as that of the rest of the fine cast - has the audience on their feet long before the end.
No-one does better than Vivienne Carlyle who links all the action and sings beautifully in the Narrator, and Trevor Jary has the customers baying for more as the Elvis-style Pharaoh.
The musical is great fun and wonderful entertainment for all ages - a coat of many colours and a show of many talents.
Musical direction is by David Steadman in a not-to-be-missed production which ends it's Wolverhampton run tomorrow night.
By Paul Marston
The Journal, Newcastle Wed July 26 2000
Article by Louella Holdcroft
JOSEPH IS STILL A GUARANTEED GOOD NIGHT OUT
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
The magical musical of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat is
one of the few productions that never fails to entertain. It's hard to believe that Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber penned this stunning creation as long ago as 1968 as a 15 min piece for a London school choir's end-of-term concert. Since then it is a show that has captured the hearts of millions. Lifting the roof at Newcastle's Theatre Royal last night every perfect note uttered by the cast had the audience swaying in their seats. Against a backdrop of bright lights and every imaginable colour under the rainbow - not to mention the flashy dance routines - this is a guaranteed good night out for the whole family. The show runs until Saturday and tickets are available from the Box Office or by telephone from the booking office on (0191)2322061.
Northern Echo
Thursday July 27 2000
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Bill Kenwright's production of Joseph exploded onto the stage in a great big knickerbocker glory of colourful costumes and exhilarating music. The audience, many of them children, were evidently very familiar with the show as they swayed and clapped in time to the songs. Arvid Larsen, who takes on the title role, had it all, impossibly blond and handsome with a voice that coped easily with the considerable range of Lloyd Webber's music. He was saved from being annoyingly perfect by his Norwegian accent: "Oi closed moi oiyes.." He sang endearingly in the opening number. And of course he looks great in a loincloth. Joseph's eleven brothers were convincingly aggressive as they plotted to be rid of him, stamping about and shaking their fists, always in perfect time. But as the Narrator, played by perfectly enunciating Vivienne Carlyle pointed out "we've read the book, and we know it comes out all right in the end". Trevor Jary's hip-swivelling Elvis impersonation as the semi-god Pharaoh was good fun, and the audience obliged with a reaction fit for the King himself. Young members of the Simonside Youth Theatre, who provided the Joseph Choir, were professional and their clear voices provided that youthful element which is an integral part of the show. The thing about Joseph is that it's all so good natured you can't help getting into the spirit of it. Even if you've seen it before do go, it's a great evening out.
Review by Sue Heath
