Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at London Palladium
Andrew Lloyd Weber’s classic is back in town and brimming with exuberance. The Bible meets Las Vegas in this lavish musical revival of the multi-award-winning Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – on at the legendary London Palladium – which fully lives up to its reputation as a spectacular show. Overflowing with well-known numbers like One More Angel in Heaven, Any Dream Will Do and Go, Go, Go Joseph, the production is joyful fun for children as well as adults.
Told purely through song, with the accompaniment of narration (Sheridan Smith), the piece is a biblical story about Joseph (Jac Yarrow), favourite son of Jacob, who is sold into slavery by his 11 brothers. Forging a friendship with Egyptian aristocrat Potiphar, he is imprisoned after rejecting the amorous overtures of the noble’s spouse. It is in jail that Joseph discovers his gift for dream interpretation, attracting the interest of the Pharaoh (Jason Donovan), who takes him under his wing, recruiting him to help end the famine in Egypt.
Director Laurence Connor has created a distinctly rock & roll version of Weber’s work – a performance that explodes with dynamism, colour and ecstatic energy, with outstanding music, costumes and stage design to match the zestful ambience. As narrator, the engaging and hilarious Oliver Award-winning Smith infuses the piece with spirited cheekiness. Donovan – famous for having played the starring role of the young protagonist in previous runs – is terrific as an ageing Elvis-type Pharaoh, and the talented Yarrow shines in his debut as Joseph.
The musical, a dynamic and full-throttle exemplar of the Broadway genre, is not subtle, but it has a refreshing American-style naiveté, completely devoid of any affectation, even laughing at itself. Superbly presented, uplifting and heart-warming, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is massively entertaining, exhilarating and just pure fun.
Catherine Sedgwick
Photo: Tristram Kenton
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat is at London Palladium from 12th July until 8th September 2019. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.
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