It’s a musical that has been around for decades and decades and now Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is back in Sunderland with a reimagined and revamped production that is a stylish and slick smash hit, yet very different from the version many people have taken to their hearts.
One of the shows that everyone knows at least one song from, even if its just those famous ‘ahhh ahhs’ from Any Dream Will Do or a few colours from Joseph’s Coat, Joseph has been shaken up by North East born theatre mastermind Michael Harrison, who truly has the Midas touch when it comes to musical smashes and the result is a production that is very different, but just as enjoyable.
Given that the origins of Joseph are very much set in the school assembly hall, the idea to cast children in some of the lead roles like Potiphar, the Butler and Baker is arguably more clever than confusing; as, while seeing them take on parts usually performed by adults, is unexpected, it actually works, as you get that added enthusiasm and playfulness that, sadly for us older folks, you can only get from youth – no matter how many anti-ageing creams we fork out for!
Just like the casting of young actors in much older parts; the decision have have one of Joseph’s main protagonists, the Narrator, take on a multitude of different roles is one of the boldest taken by Harrison and his team. But, when you’ve got a talent like Christina Bianco at your disposal, a director can be assured that she will rise to the occasion.
Any Joseph traditionalists out there might turn their noses up at the Narrator donning a fake beard to be Jacob one minute and then be the seductive and sultry Potiphar’s Wife the next, but, charismatic and committed from the get-go, Christina is a diminutive diva who excels in whichever guise the ploys dictates for her. While her superb singing abilities are best shown off in the numbers she doesn’t have to play as much for laughs, every time Christina is front and centre you simply can NOT take your eyes off her.
Being much more understated but just as strong in his performance, Adam Filipe has to give all sorts of energies and emotions in the titular – from naive to boastful and downtrodden to vengeful and Adam’s star turn as the lead, is marvellously measured. He embodies exactly what you’d want from a Joseph, with sensitivity, style and a quiet confidence that really draws you in. While of course, it’s part and parcel of proceedings, Alex doesn’t need a coloured coat to make him pop and the final moments of Close Every Door could draw goosebumps from even the staunchest of theatre of critics.
Someone who knows exactly what it takes to be a top tier Joseph is Joe McElderry. The former X Factor winner still has very much what it takes to be Joseph, the part he played to huge acclaim seven years ago; but instead, he is given the chance to show maturity and panache as Pharaoh. Forget Pharaoh, thanks to South Shields singing sensation Joe, the Elvis-esque character is more Pharwoah!- with added attitude, sass and vocals sent from the Egyptian gods.
From the brothers, to the wives, to the young chorus, this Joseph is a show blessed with an abundance of great performers. When it comes to musical heavyweights, you will often hear shouts of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t’ fix it,’ but this revamp takes numbers like One Mire Angel in Heaven and Those Canaan Days to whole new levels, making them all singing, all dancing spectacles; as well as giving the whole thing a fresh , vibrant and fast moving outlook.
The reimaging of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic is a gamble that most definitely pays off.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/joseph-uk-tour-sunderland-empire-30799991
