I’d wager that ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ has a unique problem amongst the current crop of West End musicals. Where the likes of ‘Les Miz’, ‘Prince of Egypt’ and reportedly ‘Cinderella’ have all made cuts in the name of a manageable runtime, Joseph has the opposite problem…it’s pretty darn short. The peculiar journey of this show has oft been recounted (on this very blog in-fact) but with Joseph’s origins as a fifteen minute pop cantata, it’s unsurprising that some additions have been made along the way to make it a viable night at the theatre. The production playing at the Palladium is a return engagement of Laurence Connor’s 2019 staging and while a massively enjoyable evening, it definitely boasts some added girth.
Though I’d be surprised if any readers weren’t familiar with the story of Joseph, the musical recounts the Biblical tale from the book of Genesis. Joseph is a Canaanite, one of Jacob’s twelve sons and gifted with the ability to interpret dreams. Jacob shows obvious favour towards Joseph by buying him a multi-coloured coat. This in-turn angers his brothers who conspire to sell him into slavery; Joseph is taken to Egypt in chains, will he ever be reunited with his father?
Often a handsome star has been cast in the titular role of Joseph, a canny move by producers to lure new audiences in but the 2019 production eschewed this approach and instead retooled the role of the Narrator for Sheridan Smith and these changes remain in 2021. Some of these changes are very successful; The Narrator is far more interactive with the main action and begins the show sitting round a campfire, storytelling to the child ensemble that sits rapt. Less successful is the decision to have her play Jacob and Mrs Potiphar, reducing the age range of the ensemble, perhaps I’m alone but I always used to enjoy the opportunity those roles offered older actors.
Despite these quibbles, Alexandra Burke is a fabulous Narrator, boasting adorable interactions with the young children in the cast and some humorous “business” when she’s not the main focus. One of the reasons she endeared herself to X-Factor audiences was her dance ability accompanying her powerhouse vocals and here Burke proves herself more than capable at mastering Joann M. Hunter’s choreography – a tap routine in ‘Joseph’s Dreams’ and hoedown in ‘One More Angel in Heaven’ particularly stand out. Burke soars when she is allowed to unleash vocally in ‘A Pharaoh's Story’, showing great restraint with just the right amount of riffing. A word on the arrangements; the keys were lowered in 2019 to accommodate Sheridan Smith, these versions remain today, which is a pity as having seen Alexandra Burke in ‘Sister Act’ she’d easily be able to sing it in the higher key.
Returning as Joseph is 23 year old Jac Yarrow, who brings a youthful exuberance to the role. Usually Josephs are easily categorised; some lean into the comedy, others give it the wide-eyed innocence and naiveté, Yarrow manages to touch on all aspects. ‘Close Every Door’ a theatre standard, still manages to wring emotion from the audience. Jason Donovan is on hand as Pharaoh, doubtless to stir feelings of nostalgia in audience members of a certain age. He is always funny but he is off the scale with the camp, less Vegas Elvis and more Vegas excess, nevertheless the crowd ate it up!
Director Laurence Connor, having wrangled scores of children for ‘School of Rock’, again shows fearlessness in giving the roles of the Butler, Baker and Potiphar to the child actors. Where the show struggles occasionally, is the aforementioned desire to pad out the runtime. While the choreography is excellent, not every dance break works, a can-can sequence in ‘Those Canaan Days’ feels excessive. That said, the ensemble are uniformly excellent movers.
‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ at The Palladium is like visiting an old friend. I do tire of referencing the pandemic in every review but this is exactly the tonic for these theatre-starved times. The ultimate feel-good show on the largest possible canvas. It almost felt like a dream!
Phillip Beamon on behalf of Doctor Theatre
For more information check out the official JOSEPH WEBSITE
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