July 9, 2013
Go go go Joseph!
If you've chosen to read this review, chances are the very title has started an earworm you won't be able to shake for the rest of the day (you're welcome). That goes to show that most people know what to expect from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and this show certainly won't let you down.
If you're after camp, kitsch and that strange middle distance anguish look that they teach them at musical theatre school, you couldn't have come to a better place. This show is polished to perfection, you could see your face in it if it wasn't for H from Steps trying so hard to get your attention. The cast are faultless, and there are so many changes of costume and musical style it seems impossible how few people come on to take their bows. Special mention goes to Henry Metcalfe who not only gives the best acted performance of the night as Jacob, but choreographed the whole shebang. The programme's worth the price just for his CV.
At some point I'm going to have to confront 'H' (it stands for hyperactive you know) head on, and I'm finding it hard to bring myself to. He couldn't be more loveable and he's got the guns for that loincloth alright - but he doesn't shine above the rest of the cast. That's definitely a pretty tough feat, but you really want your Joseph to be a star and H hasn't got it somehow. I don't think they drilled them in acting in Steps. Having said that (and now feeling terribly guilty about it) he's so winning that a bit of dodgy acting doesn't really matter terribly. He's having a great time and so are we.
If you're eight or you're eighty and you love Joseph, musicals or just having your spirits lifted for a couple of hours then this is the show for you. If you're after some avant garde dance theatre maybe give it a miss - but then, you already knew that. What I know is that if you could bottle the atmosphere at the seemingly never-ending encore you'd be very rich indeed... oh wait...that's Andrew Lloyd Webber.
If you've chosen to read this review, chances are the very title has started an earworm you won't be able to shake for the rest of the day (you're welcome). That goes to show that most people know what to expect from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and this show certainly won't let you down.
If you're after camp, kitsch and that strange middle distance anguish look that they teach them at musical theatre school, you couldn't have come to a better place. This show is polished to perfection, you could see your face in it if it wasn't for H from Steps trying so hard to get your attention. The cast are faultless, and there are so many changes of costume and musical style it seems impossible how few people come on to take their bows. Special mention goes to Henry Metcalfe who not only gives the best acted performance of the night as Jacob, but choreographed the whole shebang. The programme's worth the price just for his CV.
At some point I'm going to have to confront 'H' (it stands for hyperactive you know) head on, and I'm finding it hard to bring myself to. He couldn't be more loveable and he's got the guns for that loincloth alright - but he doesn't shine above the rest of the cast. That's definitely a pretty tough feat, but you really want your Joseph to be a star and H hasn't got it somehow. I don't think they drilled them in acting in Steps. Having said that (and now feeling terribly guilty about it) he's so winning that a bit of dodgy acting doesn't really matter terribly. He's having a great time and so are we.
If you're eight or you're eighty and you love Joseph, musicals or just having your spirits lifted for a couple of hours then this is the show for you. If you're after some avant garde dance theatre maybe give it a miss - but then, you already knew that. What I know is that if you could bottle the atmosphere at the seemingly never-ending encore you'd be very rich indeed... oh wait...that's Andrew Lloyd Webber.