Joe McElderry was two-years-old when I first saw Joseph in 1993 with Philip Schofield in the lead role. Iāve lost count of the number of Josephs Iāve seen since. In recent years itās a part usually filled by a TV talent show favourite and in this respect this production is no different. The difference is that this TV talent winner has the X-factor and some.
Given his resume it’s hard to believe that Joe McElderry is only 24. He’s still introduced as X factor winner, a title which shot him to fame at 18-years-old. Since then it seems thereās not much he canāt do. Aside from a successful recording career (he is the first X-Factor winner to release four albums and he writes his own songs), McElderry won Popstar to Opera Star and later Channel 4ās controversially challenging, The Jump. Now heās trying his hand at musical theatre and it is a role that suits him well. I canāt remember seeing a Joseph with such strong vocals ā his Close Every Door is incredible.
McElderry has the talent and the audience following to make a successful stage career if he wants it. Sometimes watching him I wished he would loosen up just a little and simply let his talent shine. Itās as if he isnāt aware how good he is and in a way thatās part of his charm. The audience loves him, but itās clear the boy from South Shields doesnāt take his fan base for granted. He gives everything heās got and Iām sure has won plenty more fans in the process. Going to hear him sing is worth the ticket price alone.
Britainās Got Talent runner-up, Lucy Kay holds the stage well as narrator to the biblical story of Jacob and his 12 sons. The 11 brothers bring a wonderful energy to the show and Emilianos Stamatakis is an entertaining Pharaoh.
Itās a vibrant, heart-warmingĀ show, simply staged with a bit of something for all musical tastes from gospel to rock ānā roll, country and western to Caribbean calypso. Hearing it sung this well reminds us just how infectiously joyous this Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice collaboration is, and why it has attracted crowds for more than 35 years.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is at the Palace Theatre, Manchester from 29 March to 2 April 2016.