I HAVE to confess that Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has never been one of my personal favourite Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musicals, writes Jeff Dunn.
One of their very earliest collaborations, and, although it became highly successful, to my mind, it didn't include too many tunes that you could immediately recognise, sing along with, or whistle-on-your-way-home (sorry myLord!) ... the exception, of course, being the huge hit, Any dream will do.
The story is loosely based around the Bible's Genesis tale of Jacob's son Joseph, his divine dreams, his distrustful, flock watching brothers, and a gift of a 'coat of many colours' from his father. I know it's very clever, but the no-dialogue approach, with the story being told entirely through ‘songs’ themselves, has never appealed to my philistine, uncultured, taste buds.
I can't help it, that's me. I am to the Arts, what Sylvester is to Tweetie Pie! So, on Friday evening, at St Katharine's Church hall, which was jam packed (as every performance had been apparently) I wasn't carrying high hopes of living the dream.
But an hour or so later, it was a different ball game.
The vibrant youngsters of the St Katharine Players have the incredible knack of scattering any clouds of doubt away from any preconceived misconceptions, and I found myself, like everyone in the hall, including those on and off stage, blown away by their exuberance, vitality, excitement and talent.
It was a splendid show.
There were no weak links, all the prime characters did well, especially Caitlyn Arran and Jasmine John, a truly powerful pairing from Heaven who, as the Narrators, were absolutely dynamic. Ben Reynold's piano accompaniment was outstanding, reflecting the highs and lows of each of the ‘songs,’ so that they never wandered into the tiresome category, and the set design, costumes and staging, were perfect in every way.
So, all in all, and despite my misgivings, the night was hugely enjoyable.
Joseph and his dreamcoat may never be my favourite...but the talented kids of St Katharine's certainly are, and, of course, I went home whistling Any dream will do.
CAST
Narrators...........................Caitlyn Arran, Jasmine John.
Joseph..............................Arron Davies
Jacob................................Jake George
Reuben..............................Alicia Thomas
Simeon...............................Bethany Sexton
Levi.....................................Megan Gough
Naphtali..............................Daisy-Mai Davies
Isaacher.............................Chiara Quinn
Asher..................................Megan Smyth
Dan.....................................Lacy-May Roberts
Zebalum.............................Elinor Evans
Gad.....................................Maisey Tennick
Benjamin............................Maddison Lewis
Judah................................Amelie Llewellyn
Mrs Potiphar....................Megan Lloyd
Potiphar.............................Harry Armstrong
Pharaoh............................Charlotte Smith
Baker.................................Casey Davies
Butler................................Mackenzie King
Hand Maidens................Tegan Evans/Megan Lloyd/Evelyn Thomas
Directed by Geraint Sayers and Produced by Viv Barrat.
Musical Directors....Ben Reynolds and Hannah Jenkins.
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