Recent Press
TOE-TAPPING FUN
New Theatre, Hull
27 February 2002
I WAS just about to give the most surreal moment of the night award to the singing camel - just ahead of the gold lame-clad American footballers - when Elvis appeared on stage and stole the show. Typical.
However, this wasn't some strange late-night cheese snack-induced dream. It was the latest offering from Hull New Theatre.
This was my first experience of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat so I haven't got a clue how this production compares to the original but, to be honest, I don't care.
For this was a rootin' toootin, hip-swaying, rum punch of a show.
As plots go, they don't come much simpler: favoured son (Joseph) envied by his 11 brothers is bought posh coat by doting dad but then is sold as a slave by his green-eyed siblings.
New boss takes a liking to his latest acquisition until he's found in a compromising position with his wife. Joseph is thrown in jail until word of his skills as a dream interpreter spreads. He's freed made a rich man and then...well if you've not seen it, I don't want to spoil the end.
Suffice to say, the plot doesn't really matter, it's the toe-tapping, sing-along tunes and kaleidoscopic costumes that make this show so special.
Oh, I almost forgot the cast.
Graham Tudor as Joseph was so good even his eyes could act, and narrator Vivienne Carlyle sang like an angel. Tall bloke (Dan Greavey who is making his professional debut in this production) switched effortlessly between his two roles as stroppy brother and quirky butler and Greg Barnett, who is Joseph at certain performances, is going to be a star - remember that name.
I'll receive hate mail if I don't mention Trevor Jary, who scooped my surreal award as Elvis and I'm sure Joanne Dockery, Faye Michel, Lisa Quibell and Jenette Humphris will receive fan mail before the run is over.
The last word however goes to the Joseph Choir, comprised of children from Stagecoach Beverley - I was extremely impressed and wish I could have given them all a mention.
You did your parents proud!
By Marc Astley
Mar 12 2002
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
By Marion McMullen
All those old school music lessons spent merrily warbling the songs of Webber and Rice quickly flood back with this colourful show.
It's surprising how many tunes are embedded in the old grey cells and the Coventry audiences quickly succumbed last night to the toe-tapping charms of the likes of Go, Go, Go Joseph and Any Dream Will Do.
The lively musical has been touring the country with Graham Tudor brimming with boyish enthusiasm in the title role and a highly tuneful cast.
Among them is Coventry performer Shaun Dalton who returns to his home city playing one of Joseph's brothers, Reuben.
He caught the acting bug performing with the city's Eden Theatre Company and is joined on stage by the current members of the Coventry group.
The city youngsters form the show choir and sing their hearts out alongside the professionals. Their sheer delight at being part of the production beams from their faces.
The first performance ended with a standing ovation and my bet is many of the audience will be back to see the show again.
©Trinity Mirror Plc 2002
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Woking Review Series
March 30 2002
Joseph - what dreams are made of.
The cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat burst onto the stage of the New Victoria Theatre in Woking last week in an explosion of colour and sound that will take this production through a tour of the UK's maor theatres for the first half of the year. Joseph has come along way since its debut as a 15-minute end-of-term performance, penned by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice back in 1968 for a school choir.
Like Topsy, the musical has grown and has now built up a strong following with its popular storyline and catchy tunes. It follows the story of Joseh, the favourite son of Jacob, and the jealousy of his 11 brothers. Josph dreams of a bright future and his brothers decide to dispense of the troublesome youngster by selling him to a wealthy Egyptian, telling their father he has been killed.
The Narrator, Vivienne Carlyle, has the enormous task of telling Joseph's story through the show's many songs and this pivptal role means that she is on stage for the whole performance. She has a beuatiful voice and is to be congratulated for her portrayal of this demanding role.
Graham Tudor was in fine voice as Joseph, and his applause after every number, especially Close Every Door', was well deserved. With musical themes switching from calypso to pop/rock to Garbo-esque French boulevard, there's something for just about everyone.
By Carey Middleton
