JOSEPH may be fated to tour the world without rest, but as long as he stays in such
good shape as he is here, he should be a happy man. If I'd never seen the show before, I'd say it was a winner. I have seen it before, and it's still a winner.
Bill Kenwright's 2001 production (he first toured it in 1979) is zappy, crisp and
colourful. It may be more panto than parable these days, but anything goes in the
world of entertainment. Hence the ancient lands of Canaan and Egypt somehow embrace American, Caribbean and Parisienne musical numbers. And the audience loves it. Glen Drake, a New Zealand soap star making his British debut, is a captivating Joseph. Tall, blond and lean, he has a real presence, lots of appeal and a good voice. He is supported by a lively cast, featuring Trevor Jary as the show-stopping Elvis-impersonating Pharaoh. Aura Deva makes an attractive and commendably clear Narrator. And the on-stage choir of 40 children from Sheffield's Stagecoach Theatre Arts School add to the appeal. The original touching Bible story is now obscured by jokiness and the music blasted out electronically. But the tunes are timeless.
Street-wise Glen finds dream role
CAMBRIDGE EVENING NEWS 25 JUNE 2001
Glen Drake, star of soap opera Shortland Street, has swapped his nurse's clothes for a coat of many colours. JOANNE RILEY spoke to the Kiwi actor about his role in the musical Joseph.
A SOAP star from Down Under, with blonde hair and a cheeky grin, Glen Drake could be the next Jason Donovan.
With the lead role in the hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, he is certainly following in his fellow Antipodean's footsteps.
New Zealander Glen spent more than two years in soap opera Shortland Street, playing nurse Cameron Scott.
He said: "It was very tiring as it was the fastest turn-around television show in the world. Some days I'd shoot 20 scenes and work didn't stop when I finished filming as fans would recognise me in the street."
Glen said he really enjoyed his time in the show, but admits that after two years he was worn out.
"I wanted to come over to England to advance my career," he said. "In New Zealand showbusiness is a fledgling industry and I was not getting where I wanted to go."
His ultimate goal is to act in the West End or star in a film.
He said: "After I've achieved my ambitions I'd like to go back to New Zealand and support the arts industry there. I want to be part of its arts scene, just not at the moment."
Glen certainly seems to be enjoying touring England with the popular musical, even finding time to drop in on pupils at St Alban's School in Lensfield Road, Cambridge, complete with Dreamcoat.
"I really like England and seeing places I've only heard about," he said. "Cambridge is like something out of a picture book."
The actor has already starred in the New Zealand version of Joseph, but said he was stunned by the response to the musical in England.
He said: "It is incredibly popular. The audiences are always very vocal and know all the words.
"We played Sheffield last week and the noise was just incredible. To have people enjoying what you are doing is one of the greatest feelings in the world."
Jason Donovan and Philip Schofield were both big hits when they appeared in Joseph, but Glen said he feels no pressure to be like them.
He said: "Lots of actors have played Joseph and for me it's just another role. I just get on and do the job."
CAMBRIDGE EVENING NEWS
28 June 2001
Nothing lost scaling down
Joseph and the Technicolour Dream Coat, at the Cambridge Corn Exchange until Saturday. Review by JO RILEY
I HAVE to admit that sitting in a theatre was the last thing I felt like doing on one of the hottest evenings of the year but, as soon as the show exploded on to the stage, I quickly changed my mind.
Bursting with energy, the cast gave us no time to breathe as they zipped through the story of Joseph, his 11 brothers and his coat of many colours.
Having first seen the show performed six years ago in the West End, I had reservations about how the large-scale production would be adapted for the Corn Exchange.
In fact, the quirky and imaginative adaptations, such as Joseph's motorbike ride and the camel costumes, simply added to the fun.
New Zealand soap star Glen Drake was excellent as Joseph and soon had the audience clapping and singing along.
Aura Deva was a very strong narrator, well-supported by the children in the Joseph Choir from Stagecoach, in Cambridge.
The whole show was extremely entertaining, but my favourite scene had to be Pharaoh's Dream.
The production certainly proved popular with the audience and, for a night of good family entertainment I would urge you to Go, Go, Go and see Joseph.
Tuesday, 29 May 2001, 01:16 PM GMT
Still a brilliant colour scheme
By Nikki Wilcock
Blackpool has been awash with colour this Bank Holiday. While one half basked in tangerine glory, the other half became entranced by a veritable kaleidoscope as Bill Kenwright's Joseph rolled into town. No stranger to the story, or indeed the music of Rice and Lloyd Webber's work of genius, I'm a newcomer to the stage experience so forgive me if I over-enthuse. Opening night lived up to its billing as the show of the century and then some. It's a non-stop, all-singing, all-dancing rollercoaster of a production. A simple story of a young man's rise from zero to hero is bumped up with as much razzmatazz as can be mustered in 90 minutes, everything from a pharaoh who is Elvis incarnate to a Caribbean calypso. And my was there colour, from the rainbow of dungarees donned by Jo's brothers to the amazing coat that literally fills the stage for the finale.
It would be unfair to single anyone out as this is a cast who gel together well and attack their solo spots with gusto. But there's no doubting the star of this show a certain narrator by the name of Aura Deva. With a voice to bring any house down, you can hear every word loud and clear. Living proof that great things come in smaller packages.
Then, of course, there's Joseph himself. Glen Drake is a New Zealander making a UK debut to be proud of. His smile is as bright as his white dungarees (he does that loin cloth justice, too). And his voice is superb.
Well done, too, to the children of Stagecoach Blackpool for a note perfect performance as the Joseph Choir. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs until Saturday. Go see it.
