Feel-good show ended with crowd sing-a-long

Sep 3 2008 by Sam Wonfor, The Journal

Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Newcastle Theatre Royal until September 13

IT’S confession time, folks. I am an arts and entertainment writer who had never seen this show.

The last time I heard the score of Joseph sung from start to finish, I was singing it, aged 11, in my school choir concert.

I still recall with horror the moment when I tripped over a stray cable en-route to the recorder ensemble, which in turn sent the microphone flying out of the hands of the Elvis-inspired Pharaoh.

Anyway, my point is that you’re not likely to forget Andrew Lloyd Webber’s biblical musical once you’ve seen it.

This production did nothing to change my mind. What a terrifically upbeat (and dare I say colourful) show.

Starring Craig Chalmers (who came fifth in the BBC1 talent search for a West End Joseph, Any Dream Will Do) as Joseph, and Tara Bethan (who got down to the final 12 in the channel’s corresponding I’d Do Anything search for a Nancy in Oliver!) in the demanding part of the Narrator, the show belts along, thanks to the genre-spanning score.

Tara is particularly impressive in the role which doesn’t allow her to leave the stage, making sure we’re all up to speed with proceedings.

The rest of the cast, which includes a smattering of other Josephs from the TV talent show, also do a splendid job, providing more than their fair share of the comedy element as well as the choral one.

Meanwhile crowd-pleaser Craig is good too, although there were a few tuning issues on occasion.

The story tells the story of would-be dream interpreter Joseph, one of 12 brothers who is sold as a slave by his jealous siblings.

But his gift to translate the night-time musings of the Pharaoh wins through and provides him with the promotion he always predicted – towering above his brothers as they kneel before him begging for help.

Still, he’s a good enough bloke and agrees to forgive and forget ... cue the Any Dream Will Do/Give Me My Coloured Coat finale and associated audience sing-a-long (and do you know, I remember every single word).

I mean, honestly ... what more do you want from a night at the theatre?