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Recent Press

Mar 2nd 2004

iccoventry online

Joseph Review

By Emma Race

Coventry theatregoers were delighted when one of the West End's best loved musicals came to town.

The Bible story of nepotism, sartorial elegance and the power struggles of Ancient Egypt, is pushed through a sieve of popular culture. And the results are sometimes a puzzle - talking camels, a stint in Paris and a Pharaoh Elvis - it's Sunday school on acid.

But it's clear in this production why Joseph lost popularity with his brothers, the man/rainbow dallying around his homestead wearing an ever-more elaborate succession of dresses.

And that doesn't wash in the badlands of Canaan where men were men and even the women didn't wear fancy clothes.

The pace is fast with frequent scene swaps and changes of tack, but the cast and the ever-present narrator made sure the story was seamlessly told.

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Herald Express Online

ENTHUSIASTIC CAST MADE

IT A SHOW TO LIFT THE SPIRITS

10 March 2004

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple: Theatre Review by Kathlene Aldridge

This wonderful theatrical experience is bright, lively and funny with memorable music and just what we needed to lift our spirits on a cold Monday night!

We had singing camels and Pharaohs, visited Paris and Brazil and, oh yes... Elvis is in Barnstaple for the week.

The cast have been with the show for many months but from the way they performed, you would have thought they had just started - they were so fresh and enthusiastic.

It's a shame that I cannot mention every member by name - they were all brilliant - but Andrew Derbyshire as Joseph played the part with a great combination of humour and emotion. His rendition of Close Every Door was particularly moving.

Lee Mead played the Pharaoh as Elvis and really got the audience involved.

Amanda Claire, who is the Narrator, holds each section of the show together and is a very strong member of the cast. Steve Varnom (Jacob and Potifar) has a wonderful voice and it would have been nice to hear more from him.

Well done also to the children of the Stagecoach Theatre Arts Group who made up the Joseph Choir.

It was great to see a show that uses a live band rather than recorded music - congratulations to the musicians and I must also mention the costumes and set which are extremely clever and contribute to the visual success of the show.

If you haven't seen the show I am afraid it is a sell out, but if you ever get a chance to see it in the future, please book. I'm sure you will not be disappointed.