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REVIEW | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, UK Tour - Sheffield Lyceum Theatre
- Harry Brogan
- Jul 10
- 5 min read
AD | Tickets gifted in exchange of an honest review.
Joseph! Go Go Go Joseph. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's hit musical is back touring the UK in this brand-new (to some) production. This production of the show played at The London Palladium back in 2019, then having a second run at The Palladium in 2021, it then started its tour in 2022, with this being the second UK tour of this production.
For those who don't know what the show is about, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is based on the bible story of Joseph and his brothers. The show follows Joseph, who is Jacob's favourite son, who can read dreams and receives a multi-coloured coat, which makes his brothers become envious and leads them to betraying and selling him to be a slave. Poor Joseph is then imprisoned, however Joseph's luck changes as Pharaoh is having unexplainable dreams. Joseph helps Pharaoh and the whole of Egypt to survive the famines, then along come his brothers again. But Joseph is unrecognisable to his brothers and wants to teach them a lesson, but can Joseph follow that through.
The show's long history has spanned over many years, with countless tours, with also Broadway and West End runs, it's a favourite to many. With Joseph being the first-ever musical I saw, 17 years ago at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, it's a full circle moment from seeing it, to reviewing it.
Directed by Laurence Connor, music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice and Choreography by Joann M. Hunter, this production of a musical classic is modernised, vibrant and all delivered by an energetic cast.
Director Laurence Connor, brings Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat into a different light, visually, and directionally too. I remember previous productions of the show before this, where the children, from usually local theatre schools, sat on the steps of the set and just sang. This is gone. The children as well as the The Narrator (Played by Christina Bianco) are now incorporated throughout. This brings what is a likeable addition to the show, with the children not just incorporated with the adult cast for the choreography, but the children now play roles of the brothers, the Baker, the Butler and Potiphar. One change in this production is Bianco, who plays the Narrator, also plays Jacob and Potiphar's wife, and a few other minor characters, while this is great to see and was delivered really well by Bianco, to me it feels it actually loses some of the original storyteller aspect to role of The Narrator. Connor's direction is lively and playful and modernised with use of phones, an element of shadows and the use of skateboarding sheep, and cycling camel's are all packed into making this a spirited production. The pace of the show is good. maybe to me it does feel a little slow during the few moments of the first act, and having some little abrupt transitions, though it still feels steady enough in its pace. With Connor's production quirks and playfulness and creating small moments of comedy with The Narrator, it keeps surprising the audience with fun elements keeping the energy steady. Connor brings a new take to the classic which effortlessly shines throughout, with many young and older audience members engaged with the action on stage.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is written by the collaborative pair Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, this fully sung-through still has its loveable score and lyrics firmly at its core, from the shows anthem 'Any Dream Will Do' to the ballad of 'Close Every Door'. With the timely score that gets a few small changes lyrically and some nice new additional orchestrations brings a somewhat fresh sound to the show. Lloyd Webber's score uses various musical styles to it from the upbeat act one finale 'Go, Go, Go Joseph' to the Elvis inspired number of 'Poor Poor Pharaoh/ Song of The King' to then also French influenced 'Those Canaan Days' and the fun 'Benjamin Calypso', which all come together to create one of the pair's well known works, which still brings enjoyment when you hear them. Tim Rice's lyrics are as catchy as they originally was, with making you want to join in with the ensembles 'ah's and the any dream will do's'. All in all the score is still loved by many which potentially creates nostalgia for some.
As they say, the show must go on! and it did with understudy Davide Fienauri stepping into the title role for the performance.
Fienauri is charming as the title role of Joseph, Fienauri delivers on what is terrific vocals with brilliant performance especially of 'Close Every Door' and delivering playful energy well throughout. Fienauri has good interactions with many of the cast, with Fienauri displaying good likeableness while on stage.
Narrator, Christina Bianco is nothing but excellent. As an impressionist Bianco uses these skills to the best ability possible, with smoothly moving in and out of various characters. Bianco plays on delivering characterisation which is easily noticeable by the audience. Bianco plays around showing great personality and liveliness, which does guide, and tells the story to the audience well, but as mentioned before because of the various characters, we did sometimes lose the aspect of the Narrator. With great vocals and brilliant stage presence Bianco's performance is a pleasing one.
Joseph Alumni Joe McElderry switches roles from the title role to Pharaoh. McElderry's performance is an entertaining one, though only on stage for a short amount of time but the audience definitely seemed to enjoy McElderry's performance.
Joann M. Hunter's choreography is joyful, and is full of delightful moments, which fills the stage space greatly. Unfortunately Gareth Owen's Sound Design, did at times feel that it over powered the vocals of the cast, especially during the number with the colours of Joseph's coat, which meant the audience struggled to hear some of the show. The set though still the same as The London Palladium, however it's scaled down to fit venue to venue, Morgan Large's design has flying in and out signage and zodiac star, a revealing sliding backdrop that opens up the stage space fully, plus check out the hieroglyphics for a little easter egg. It's far from what a Joseph set used to be like for sure.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a family friendly musical. This particular production of the show might not be everyone's favourite version but, Joseph is an unchangeable musical that has always been a hit for many and still loved by those people, and is now definitely in the category of a classic, this production is just a new take on a classic. To me this production of Joseph is a good musical theatre introducer for younger ones and for all the family to enjoy.
★★★★
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays at the Sheffield Lyceum until Saturday 12th of July and then continues its UK tour.
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