Rotherham Advertiser Entertainment Online
Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, 26/11/2004
Bright bold Joseph
TO HAVE got through 22 years of life and not seen Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat probably put me on par with an alien from outer space. How an acclaimed show which has been entertaining audiences for more than three decades had managed to pass me by I have no explanation. So finally, at Sheffield's Lyceum Theatre on Monday night, I took my seat for my first viewing of the show without any pre-judgement or expectations. And what I found myself watching was easily the brightest, boldest most energetic musical I have ever had the pleasure of watching. Which perfectly explains why this is one of the longest-running shows around. The storyline is pretty thin. Joseph has many brothers who hate him because he has magical dreams where they all bow down to him and of course he has his coat of many colours. They sell him into slavery and he ends up becoming Pharaoh's right-hand man and saves Egypt from famine with foresight through his dreams.
Later his brothers turn up begging for food and after a bit of hoo haa Joseph forgives them and they all live happily ever after. But the Biblical tale mixed with lively dance routines, strong songs and utter professionalism by all the performers proves a recipe for success.
The show was fast moving, sometimes laugh-out-loud and with music that I found myself humming hours after leaving the show.
Fronting as Joseph, Richard Swerrun was convincing and confident with a terrific voice thrown in for good measure. Abigail Jaye, the evening's narrator, was motivated and talented and Christopher Jay as Jacob, whether he was purposely a dead ringer for Osama Bin Laden or not, was also a big hit. Lee Mead gave it the Elvis treatment for his role as Pharaoh with hip-grinding, hand-clapping song and dance routines much appreciated by a packed-out Lyceum. And the orchestra also deserve a mention for their top-notch performance from beginning to end, playing the many musical favourites from Poor Poor Joseph, One More Angel In Heaven, Those Canaan Days and of course Any Dream Will Do. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays the Lyceum until tomorrow so, whether you are a virgin Joseph like me, or fancy a trip down memory lane, go and see it. It really is amazing.
thisisleicester online
RICHARD IS BACK IN HIS DREAM ROLE
09 December 2004
Close your eyes, draw back the curtain, and see for certain ... that the musical Joseph is back at the De Montfort hall. Lizz Brain reports
Way, way back, many musicals ago, not long after Lloyd Webber began, Joseph entered the land of Kenwright, and the longest association in theatre began. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has played to thousands of people in hundreds of venues in the last couple of decades.
One of the most enduring performers to take on the title role was Richard Swerrun, a considerable showman who sings, dances and acts up a storm. He reckons he's sung Any Dream Will Do more than 10,000 times throughout his career, but has made a return to the show for its current tour. Now the touring production of the slightly Biblical musical arrives at De Montfort Hall, hot on the heels of rock 'n' roll show Little Shop of Horrors (December 13 to 18).
It's a great way to see two fabulous productions back to back in the run-up to Christmas. Joseph features a host of musical pastiche numbers, ranging from country and western to calypso, choral big ballad to disco, with even a touch of gospel thrown in, as it tells the Biblical story of a young boy who faces adversity and rises from rags to riches, inadvertently helping his brothers become better people along the way. "I love it, it's such a comfortable part for me and I have the confidence to be able to play with it because I've done it so often," says Richard.
"I first did it when I was 28, and I must have the record for the highest number of performances now!"
His only regret is that he has not been able to return to one number cut from the show - I Don't Think I'm Wanted Back At Home - a top hat and cane-styled Vaudeville number which previously featured when Joseph left home. "It's the only pastiche not in the show, but Andrew Lloyd Webber didn't write the music, although Tim Rice did write the lyrics, so it was cut.
"It's a shame because it was a great number and completed the whole pastiche thing. But the whole show is a really clever piece of writing, and people who haven't seen it before don't really expect it to be that good. "It works on a lot of levels and so kids love it as much as adults. It's colourful, fun, lively and short - only a couple of hours including the interval - and it's emotive as well as amusing."
©copyright thisisleicester online 2004
December 2004
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Bradford Alhambra
I saw this musical earlier this year and was slightly bored. I wondered if after 20-odd viewings I'd finally tired of it. But no, not in a million years, for this week I returned and felt the same mix of excitement and joy I've always felt. I'm in the half of the population that loves the catchy songs, witty words and exuberant performances rather than the half that sees Joseph as corny, pointless and over-the-top.
I always wonder how people can resist the uplifting tale of a boy who rises to the top through his own talents and and learns humility the hard way. It's a slender story told entirely through song, and each time it comes to the Alhambra or Grand there are visual or musical tweaks to freshen what is now a well-oiled theatrical machine. These minor changes, and terrific performances from Richard Swerrun as Joseph and Celia Mei Rubin as the Narrator, led to big laughs and thunderous applause.
This is the second-best performance of Joseph I've ever seen. And if I remember rightly Richard was in the best one too!
David Knights
©copyright The Keighley News Online 2004
Bradford Alhambra - 11/12/04
FANTASTIC! BRILLIANT! WONDERFUL!
He looked handsome He looked smart He was a walking work of art - the art of being the best Joseph ever!!!!!! Yep - RS was, or should I say, IS Joseph. He took command of the role as I've never seen anyone else do. It was an incredible evening. To be honest, as it's been 3 years since we saw him, I did wonder if he'd be as good and no he wasn't - he was better. His energy, clarity of singing and acting skills make him a Joseph second to none. When the show ended the applause, shouting, cheering and whistling was deafening. The curtain went up that many times, for the cast to take their bows, that I lost count - certainly a most appreciative audience. And why not? The whole show was one of the best we've seen. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Lyn and Ian Boothroyd
