Your Reviews
20TH SEPTEMBER 2003 AT NORTH WALES THEATRE LLANDUDNO
This was only the second time that Joseph had come to this Theatre and despite dreadful rain the residents and holiday makers of North Wales made it clear that they were determined to enjoy themselves. The air of excitement and anticipation as you entered the Theatre was electric. North Wales Theatre is a modern building with well designed seating and excellent sound qualities. A good job as it was packed to capacity.
Although we have seen Joseph a number of times before, this was the first time we had seen the new touring cast. We were not disappointed.
The very first minutes of the show gave us a taste of the changes to the costumes which have been made. Gone were the initialled dungarees we've seen for so long. In came more flowing clothes in softer colours. Costumes worn "at Potiphar's house" were especially good - the slaves really looked posh. The only ones that we were a bit unsure about were a new set of flowing robes worn during the Go Go Go Joseph routine. They seemed to take up a lot of the stage, swamping things and taking the emphasis off Joseph. It was also good to see that Pharaoh has a new outfit as well.
The set has also undergone a few changes, the Egyptian scenes being particularly spectacular. The set certainly had a richer more cared for air about it.
All in all its plain to see that money has been spent to bring a whole new vibrancy to the show. About time! In the last tour poor Trevor Jary was splitting his trousers they were so worn. Although we doubt his legion of female fans were complaining!
We were very pleased to find the humour had been left in the show and in fact had been expanded. A new "trick" was when the brothers were singing One More Angel -
Robert Jaye, The Baker, moved to one side and tied a scarf over his head and proceeded to sing in a very high pitched woman's voice (a voice over from off stage) - this raised a very good laugh from the audience. There were several extra bits of humour off the main action which brought sniggers from the crowd.
Andrew Derbyshire as the new Joseph was very good. His voice was clear and strong and he interacted with the audience well - especially at the very end, although it must be said that they didn't need much encouragement. Amanda Claire as the Narrator, Phil Cole as Jacob/Potiphar and Michael Quinn as Pharaoh all gave strong support. Michael's performance was especially good - very clear lyrics, not always achieved with Song of the King.
At the close of the show when Andrew invited the audience to "sing, dance, do whatever you want", everyone stood up in one motion and that means everyone. We've never seen that before.
All in all it was a great night and guess what? We've already got our tickets for Bradford in December.
Lyn and Ian Boothroyd
