Carmel ThomasonFor many in the audience at Manchester Opera House this week, the trip to Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat won’t be their first. But don’t pass up a chance to see this tour because you think you know what to expect, because Director Laurence Connor has a few surprises up his sleeve for the 50-year-old musical.
This vibrant production wowed West End audiences at the London Palladium before an initial tour in 2022. If you didn’t catch it then, it’s well worth a trip, even if you’ve seen Joseph many times before.
This production, from Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group, takes inspiration from the show’s roots as a school concert with more roles for kids. It then mischievously mixes it with the mega-musical it has become by adding big Broadway-style dance routines to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s already eclectic score, including jazz-hands tap, a flamboyant can-can and street dance.
The cast play on the humour of Tim Rice’s lyrics to full effect; none more so than Christina Bianco’s narrator who takes on an even bigger role than usual in this production. Her character is a whirlwind of energy who jumps from schoolteacher to storyteller, a fully bearded Jacob to a raunchy Mrs Potiphar.
Adam Filipe brings a slightly swaggering confidence as well as terrific vocals to Joseph, again playing on the humour in the script. His emotional rendition of Close Every Door raises the roof.
After the interval the production lifts another notch with the arrival of Joe McElderry’s rock-star Pharaoh. He enters the stage tongue-in-cheek Vegas-style, showcasing his winning vocals and cheeky charm. McElderry instantly connects with the audience to an almost pantomime-level of rapport with his knowing looks and spontaneous responses. His Pharaoh strikes the perfect note on every level.
Joseph has always been a feel-good family show, and this production puts kids in fake comedy beards centre stage with significant parts, including some of the brothers, Pontifar, the Baker and the Butler. Adult actors watch out – these kids are brilliant!
For those worried that the show’s solid base could be in jeopardy, fear not. The story is still intact and all the favourite tracks including One More Angel in Heaven, Benjamin Calypso, and Any Dream Will Do are sung with a live band. And in this souped-up production the finale mega-mix got even bigger, so go, go, go prepared to dance.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is at the Opera House, Manchester from 26 February to 9 March 2025 before continuing on tour.
Steve Timms
Liz Ratcliffe