Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Palace Theatre, Redditch
AT breakfast on Sunday morning there was only one topic of conversation – what a fabulous show we’d seen the night before.
A joint production between Dynamik Theatre, featuring Kingsley High School graduate Jamie Poxon as artistic director, and the wonderful Wythall Theatre Company, it ticked every box and more and left a delighted audience on high at the final curtain.
No wonder – this was a brilliant tribute to Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s feel good hit, celebrating its 50th birthday and the 60th anniversary of WTC.
Of course Joseph is packed with great tunes and lyrics, but it was the cast which brought them all to life – and how.
From the moment narrator Lauren Craner started the story the audience knew they were in safe hands, although we did fear for her as she descended the steep steps of the set in her stilettos.
The show was littered with standout performances, but let’s start with the orchestra, which, under the baton of Joe George, was absolutely top notch.
As for the players, Joseph’s brothers get some great scenes and songs, but the way they performed them was superb and all should take a bow, especially Ollie Daniels as Issachar.
Gavin Whichello brought the house down with his rock ‘n’ roll Pharoah, Ed Parrott and Steph Westwood were great as Potiphar and his wife, but the glue that held it all together was James Spence’s Joseph.
What a talent, and what a voice! At least half the audience was swooning over him and no wonder, he’s a young man with a big future.
Criticisms? Only one and probably due to the sound system: Sometimes the clarity of the words were lost in the ether.
That aside, this was a tremendous show and a triumph for the entire ensemble and by the smiles on their faces they were all having fun too.
No wonder there were cheers and a standing ovation! I can’t wait to see what they do next.
Ross Crawford
