Review: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - New Wimbledon Theatre
Before the search for Nancy and Dorothy, came Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for a leading man to star in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. ‘Any Dream Will Do’ and the West End production that followed may now seem like a distant memory but Bill Kenwright’s touring production of the show is still going strong and continues to delight audiences all over the country, or so it seems, judging by last night’s performance at the New Wimbledon Theatre.
Even before the show had started, the level of excitement as the auditorium filled up was palpable and the audience reaction throughout the show lived up to this initial promise. The cast, clearly feeding off the atmosphere, were similarly buzzing and the encore, which included a medley of all of the catchiest songs in the show, resulted in the whole theatre singing and clapping along and every member of the stalls on their feet. It was hard to tell who was enjoying themselves more – the cast or the audience!
As for the cast, Joseph is currently played by ‘Any Dream Will Do’ runner-up Keith Jack, who proves himself well worthy of the part that he narrowly missed out on to eventual winner Lee Mead in the West End production. His rendition of ‘Close Every Door’ is not far short of Mead’s performance and he proves very popular with the audience. Pharaoh (Adam Jarrell) and all of Joseph’s brothers provide great comic moments and are similarly well received. A specific mention should also go to Jennifer Potts who does wonderfully as the narrator. It is often forgotten that the narrator’s role can be as vocally challenging as that of Joseph and she steps up to the challenge, matching Jack comfortably, and providing vocals with great warmth and often surprising power.
What works about this production is that it does not take itself too seriously. It works to its own strengths, playing up the songs (with a long encore) and the comedy moments, and not pretending to be something that it is not. It is not profound or deeply moving but it is undoubtedly very good fun. Judging by the rapturous applause and standing ovation at the end I would highly doubt anybody left the theatre without feeling uplifted and sometimes that is exactly what musical theatre is all about.
A treat for all the family, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is running at the New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday 23rd April. For the full list of tour dates and to book tickets visit http://www.kenwright.com
A new 2010 cast album featuring ‘Any Dream Will Do’ contestant Craig Chalmers as Joseph is also now available exclusively on tour.
Review By Katherine Redmond
