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DREAMCOAT WEARS WELL IN A HIGH-ENERGY SHOW 10 February 2004 Assembly Rooms, Derby Never mind the lyrics, feel the applause! AMAZING - Derby must have been the only place left in the UK that hadn't seen Bill Kenworthy's 25-year-old, record-breaking professional touring production of Joseph. So, well done, again, to the Assembly Rooms: after Forbidden Planet and Rocky Horror (which we also thought we'd never see in Derby), they've got even more of a winner here. Why is it such a sure-fire winner? Given that Andrew Lloyd-Webber knocked this musical together around the age of 19, I was fascinated as a first-timer by this show's perennial appeal to all ages, and the fact that audiences return time and time again to see it. Even critics of high theatre adore this show, even if it's just for its sheer energy and sparkle. Well, it's got that all right, though for this critic it's no amazing technicolour dream show - merely a light, breezily entertaining piece of theatrical middle-of-the-road pop, soundly sung, tightly choreographed and nicely lit. And at first that seemed to be the audience impression, given the police applause in Act One. By then, two songs had made their mark: One More Angel In Heaven, a clever country and western pastiche, and Close Every Door, a touching ballad sung with poise and feeling by Richard Swerrun, a Joseph of great conviction. I was impressed, too, by narrator Amanda Claire's voice of clarity and assurance, yet she and the cast have to cope with the clumsy scansion of Tim Rice's overrated lyrics, plus some of his dire rhymes, reaching a nadir when Joseph's brothers, jealous of his dreamcoat, sing "and now his coat has got our goat". But sometimes a critic has to hold up his hands and bow to those around him, because shortly into the second half, when Lee Mead as the Pharoah performed as Elvis in Song Of The King, the audience became notably animated. Gospel, jazz and calypso added to the pleasingly varied if still (for me) mediocre song styles and, by the end, with Joseph reunited with his brothers in this morally sound, if slight, tale, the applause was long and loud ... and this critic felt redundant. Audiences love it - and that's what matters. Ashley Franklin © Northcliffe Electronic Publishing Ltd. A reply from a member of the public about the above review. AMAZING SHOW RAN 12 February 2004 Alas, your reviewer, Mr Franklin, is wrong when he says that Derby must be the only place left in the UK that hasn't seen Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I saw this wonderful show back in July, 1988, at Derby Playhouse during its tour at that time. The theatre was full and the show was much enjoyed. Lynn Calladine,Mill Street,Belper. P. S. It is Bill Kenwright and not Bill Kenworthy who presents this show with such huge success. © Northcliffe Electronic Publishing Ltd. |
JOSEPH WITH A TOUCH OF CALYPSO AND GLITZY ROCKING 05/02/2004 Woking News and Mail Online GO go go Joseph may sound much like a cheerleader's chant but I was somewhat surprised by their appearance, complete with pom-poms, in Joseph at Woking's New Victoria Theatre on Tuesday. In fact I was left a bit baffled by the whole production, not knowing whether to laugh, or frown. There is no denying the catchy show tunes and I found myself singing along to songs I didn't know I knew and unintentionally adding the echoing parts to Any Dream Will Do. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is based around a bible story of Jacob and his sons and is set in Egypt. Yet somehow the production manages to slip in a variety of random themes including a touch of the calypso, gay Paris, American footballers and even hillbilly rockers. Once you have accustomed yourself to expect the unexpected, you can appreciate that these inserts are good comedy value and undeniable audience pleasers. The unexpected continues with the appearance of a posh butler and a 'Brummie' baker thrown in and even the Pharaoh was far from the ordinary. Clad in a glitzy white all-in-one number with flared bottoms and sporting side burns and a slick quiff, Lee Mead was the rockin' and rolling Pharaoh/Elvis. He was a big hit with the audience and great comic value with a fantastic Elvis-like tone. Unfortunately at times the relatively basic props, including a 2D cardboard cut out of a camel, gave the impression of a beefed up school play rather than a big West End production. But then there were moments where the calibre of an inspiring musical shone through. Richard Swerrun was bursting with emotion as Joseph, which was best captured in the moments when he was solo on the stage. At other times the more serious parts of the plot are lost among the mixture of themed songs and deliberate laugh-inducing moments. The first moment I felt that stirring feeling that is often produced by an Andrew Lloyd Webber song, was towards the end of the first Act. Joseph is enchained in prison and the backdrop is darkened. With the spotlight on Joseph, Richard's rendition of Close Every Door was greatly applauded. Amanda Claire did a good job as the narrator and through her various songs she was strong and expressive. Credit has to be given to the choir of youngsters from The Babette Langford Young Set Choir. They sit on the tiered steps on stage for the entire performance and did an excellent job with sweet vocals. At the start Joseph's Technicolour dream coat is basic but the new and improved coat which appears at the end is far superior and a colourful finale. Joseph is like the Blue Peter of musicals clean cut and amusing. Children will love it and adults will be amused by it. © Surrey & Berkshire Newspapers Limited 2001, 2002, 2003 Woking News and Mail Online FROM LITTLE BOY TO PRINCE OF EGYPT 29/01/2004 By KELLY HACKMAN HAVE your sunglasses at the ready because Joseph is returning to the New Victoria Theatre in February with his technicolour dreamcoat in a new production. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, tells the story of Joseph, his 11 brothers and the world's most famous coat of many colours. Richard Swerrun plays Joseph and says Joseph fans can expect a "more substantial and meaty production" this time around. He said: "The show is more lavish, there are new costumes, a new company, new arrangements and impressive orchestrations." Even the celebrated Dreamcoat is bigger and better, covered in colourful sequins at a cost of around £10,000. Richard has performed in Joseph on several tours and in 2000 completed a mammoth three and a half year tour. "There is such a lot to Joseph, you start the show as a little boy and by the end you are a mighty Prince of Egypt. The music is phenomenal with so many styles and pastiches and so much drama. In the show I sing, dance and act and at the end I become a pop star." He said: "It's something I do then have a break, but it is always nice to come back to Joseph I get itchy feet when I have been away for too long." The part of Joseph has attracted stars such as Jason Donovan and Phillip Schoffield but Richard says it is possible to put your own mark on the role. "Because Joseph is multi-faceted, everybody can play him in their own way. You lend your own talents to the part. I like bringing drama to it. I love to portray all his emotions as he grows up." Richard has spent 26 years working on musicals and spends much of his time touring. For the past 12 years he has enjoyed the company of his trusty West Highland Terrier, Derek. Richard said: "He stays in my dressing room while I am on stage. He knows all the theatres and knows where to go to get to wardrobe. He is a big hit with all the cast." And by the sounds of it, the cast is a big hit with Derek too. "He is full of sausages by the end of the week," said Richard. Richard, and Derek, will be at the New Vic from February 2 to 7. © Surrey & Berkshire Newspapers Limited 2001, 2002, 2003. |
