Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit show, which began life in 1968 as a 20 minute school concert before slowly developing into a full West End musical, is a phenomenon of appropriately biblical proportion.
Photo © Stewart McPherson Photography
Exploring the story of Joseph and his brothers from the book of Genesis, it brings it straight into the modern era through catchy songs, humour, colour and simple story-telling which often feels like storytime at primary school but, with its hopping from one musical style to the next and its surreal imagery, also evokes a weird fever dream. But then dreaming is what this show is all about.
Thankfully the dream is beautifully realised by Bath Operatic and Dramatic Society in a zesty, ebullient and gloriously slick production which has the audience fully on its side within the opening moments.
Following the first of two overtures by musical director Rob Henderson’s faultless orchestra, we join a class of children listening to the Narrator (or their teacher?) begin the story of Joseph.
Emma Bingham brings infectious energy and clear, powerful vocals to the role, triumphing over an unusually black costume to bring boundless colour to the storytelling. Joseph then appears (initially Christ-like, backlit and dressed in saintly white) and the rift between him and his jealous brothers begins.
Will Lunt as our eponymous hero does look young for the role, but casts those doubts aside with acting finely modulated between blithe self-absorption and vulnerability, and brings a real emotional power especially to Close Every Door which is the powerhouse highlight of the evening.
Director/choreographer Lizzie Rose wisely keeps the staging simple with just a set of static steps ascending to heaven, which effectively highlights the fable quality of the show. She creates an endlessly energetic production which, together with Will Burgher’s kaleidoscopic lighting design and effervescent costumes coordinated by Julia Padfield and Jacqui Cook, flood the production with so much colour that you feel like you’re in a surreal giant bag of Skittles – and it works perfectly.
Her choreography is adroit and contagious, and it’s surprising and impressive to see the guys doing as much of it as the girls, and doing it with full commitment. Everyone, ensemble to principals, looks like they are having the best time, and that transcends to the audience to create an evening of pure escapism. By the end of the triumphant mega-mix at the end, many of the audience were on their feet.
This is an appropriately dreamy and heavenly production that appeals equally to those of 8 or 80. Be like Joseph – just Go, Go, Go!
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is showing at Theatre Royal Bath until 11th April. Box office: 01225 448844
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Reviewer: Steve Huggins
