PLAYS may come and plays may go but *Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat goes on forever. It’s getting to be an annual event like the pantomime.

Its enormous popularity never seems to diminish over the 38 years since its first 15 minute version premiered at Colet Court School on March 1, 1968.

A record was issued in 1969 which, though not a great success in the UK, became a best selling album in the USA after Jesus Christ Superstar premiered there. However, the West End Premiere was not until 1973 following a successful production by the Young Vic at the Edinburgh festival in 1972.

The score, although expanded, was still only 40 minutes long so Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote a one act prequel, with dialogue by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, entitled Jacob’s Journey which portrayed the Jacob, Esau and Isaac story. This was phased out during the West End run and hasn’t, to the best of my knowledge, been heard of again.

The authors continued to work on the show so that by the time of its New York premiere in 1982, the original libretto had been padded out with new numbers and these, together with interpolated dances, made the show an acceptable length for an evening’s theatre.

I can’t imagine there is anyone who does not know the plot of Joseph sold into slavery in Egypt by his envious brothers, who obtains rank and wealth and has the ultimate satisfaction of having his treacherous brothers coming to him for help.

The role of Joseph has been played by a host of well-known singing actors, including Philip Schofield, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond.

The Joseph at Wimbledon is played by Richard Meek who has a strong voice and a good presence. I felt in the first half he was a little unsure but any doubts I may have had were dispelled in the second act when he came firmly into his own giving a powerful and well controlled performance.

Hannah Grover, as the Narrator, has a strong voice, carrying out her expository role with charm and ease; at times, though, she was a little inaudible but that may have been the fault of the sound system.

Jacob was played by the associate director and choreographer, Henry Metcalf, who doubled the part of Potiphar. He also has a good voice and an imposing presence.

The Pharaoh was sung by Marlon Moore in a Presley style -unfortunately, he too was at times was inaudible.

The 11 brothers, whom I have never been able to disentangle even though they are introduced by name during the action, carried the brunt of the evening’s dancing. Their energy seemed boundless especially during the hoe down number in the first act.

The girls in the cast had the thankless tasks of handmaidens, camels, temple girls etc and supporting the macho brothers which they carried out decoratively and with considerable terpsichorean skill in their own right.

The all purpose set designed by Sean Cavanagh comprised of a series of ascending tiers with a walkway from under which further stairs or bits of scenery emerged when required.

It was simple and effective and allowed the children’s choir (carried over from the original version and now an essential part of the show) to remain seated at the side of the stage during the action.

If my recollection serves me right, the costumes have been renewed. Certainly, I do not remember them being quite as lavish as those I saw last night which were as varied and multi-coloured as the eponymous coat, looked splendid, and enhanced the general elegance of the production.

At the end of the day, the success or otherwise of Joseph, which is really a dramatic cantata not a stage piece, depends on the director and, as always, Bill Kenwright and his associate director and choreographer, Henry Metcalfe, turned in a thoroughly professional job with some delightful bits of business.

This is a very good and stylish production; bright, colourful, spectacular to look and, although this must have been the umpteenth production I have seen, still seemed fresh and un-hackneyed.

I thoroughly recommend that you make your way to Wimbledon and see this production before it moves on, if you want a joyous technicolored evening out.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Music – Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics – Tim Rice
Director – Bill Kenwright
Designer – Sean Cavanagh
Lighting – Nick Ritchings
Sound – Chris Full
Choreographer / Associate Director – Henry Metcalfe
Musical Director – Gareth Ellis

CAST: Richard Meek; Hannah Grover; Henry Metcalfe; Marlon Moore; Emma Brooke; Drew Kidger; Russel Hicken; Guy Barzily; Anthony Wren; Kieran Jae; Simon Kingsley; Chris Wood; John Melvin; James Muller; Drew Kidger; Phil Cross; Stephanie Harrow; Naomi Slater.
Produced by Bill Kenwright by special arrangement with The Really Useful Group.
New Wimbledon Theatre, The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1QG.
Mon, Sept 18 – Sat, Sept 23, 2006
Evenings: 7.30pm/Matinees Thurs.& Sat 2.30pm
Box Office: 0870 060 1827

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