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Joseph And That Jacket
Posted by archifCLICarchive from National - Published on 22/09/2009 at 00:00
As a kid, I always wanted to see Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Someone had bought me the soundtrack for a birthday or Christmas or something, and I was totally hooked; I thought the songs were enchanting and the story was amazing!
Having now finally seen the show at the grand old age of 22, I kind of wish I’d seen it as a kid instead This production was definitely one for the kids. That’s not to say, however, that we adults, young and old alike couldn’t get a fair amount of enjoyment out of it. There were times when I was close to exploding with glee and excitement but there were also moments that were so cringe-worthy it was painful!
The story of Jacob and his twelve sons began with suitable grandeur and vigour as the Narrator burst onto the scene to tell the tale. Aside from looking like she’d been wrapped in River Island tailoring and rolled in glitter, Rachel Louise Miller actually gave an engaging performance as the Narrator, even if her impressive vocals did suffer for her children’s-TV-presenter-like demeanour.
Accompanied by a choir of local children that did not falter in professionalism throughout, the Narrator revealed the biblical tale of “Joseph, Jacob’s favourite son” who is adorned with a “coat of many colours” to highlight his individuality and position above his brothers who, understandably in my opinion, grow tired and jealous.
In their jealousy, Joseph’s eleven brothers resort to selling him off as a slave. Now, as a kid I was completely on Joseph’s side “poor, poor Joseph” sold as a slave, locked in a cave etc. But now that I’m a bit older and a bit more cynical, I’m completely with the brothers on this one! How long could they have stood Joseph wandering around singing about his so-called prophetic dreams that revealed himself as a leader? I would’ve sold off the smug git too!
In all seriousness though, the cast of brothers should be commended for their ensemble performance that was skilled, balanced and entertaining to the very end. But of course, in the name of biblical morality and of musical theatre, we are on Joseph’s side. We watch as “poor, poor Joseph” is locked up and as he sings of his woes before the Pharaoh of the time becomes familiar with his prophetical gift, and his predictions of leadership begin to come true.
The role of Joseph was filled by Craig Chalmers, of BBC’s Any Dream Will Do fame. It would’ve been nice to have had the show’s winner Lee Mead in the role, (for aesthetic purposes, of course), but Chalmers was undeniably more than capable. Having expected something a little more camp, I was pleasantly surprised to find that his performance was mature, sensible and impressive.
Incorporating a now widely recognised score of classic songs such as Close Every Door, Jacob And Sons and of course Any Dream Will Do, this is a musical of weighty premise that totally lives up to its reputation musically! Unfortunately, this particular production was marred ever so slightly by the slapstick additions that were nonetheless appealing to the younger kids in the audience.
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is showing at Cardiff’s New Theatre until Sunday 27th September.
