Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Having originally been written as a 15-minute piece for an end of term school concert in 1968, Tim Rice (Lyrics) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (Music) soon expanded the musical to the production that we know and love today.
Based on the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis in the Bible, it tells the tale of Jacobs favourite son, and his eleven brothers, who find him so annoying that they fake his death and sell him into slavery.
Joseph is then taken to Egypt where he is bought by the wealthy Potiphar, but after Potiphar’s wife makes advances towards Joseph, a jealous Potiphar has him thrown in jail. Whilst in jail Joseph interprets the dreams of his fellow prisoners and when the Pharoah hears about this, he demands Joseph be brought to him to decipher his own bad dreams. This leads to Joseph’s change in luck, and he begins working for the Pharoah.
Meanwhile, back in Canaan, Joseph’s family are plagued by famine and starvation, when they hear of the surplus food in Egypt, and make the journey to the Pharoah’s land. On their arrival Joseph immediately recognises his brothers, but they do not realise who he is and so Joseph plants a golden cup in one of his brother’s sacks of food to see how the others react when he is caught, but the brothers reaction is to protect their accused brother. When Joseph sees how they have changed their ways, the brothers are reunited and travel back to Cannon see their father Jacob.
This latest production of the musical is directed by Laurence Connor and produced by Michael Harrison Entertainment, and it has a really fresh feel to it. The set and costumes, designed by Morgan Large, are brighter and contain the colourful designs usually reserved for Josephs spectacular coat, embodying the theme of the production perfectly.
Adam Filipe is in the titular role of Joseph, his embodiment of the character is beautifully played, and his vocals are striking. In particular, ‘Close Every Door’ has a haunting power to it, with orchestrations by John Cameron and orchestral adaptions by David Andrew Wilson for the Really Useful Group under the musical direction of John Rigby.
In addition to the musical changes there are also bigger dance numbers which are choreographed by Joann M. Hunter, one including a fabulous tap routine, and this builds the enjoyment of the story well.
The Narrator is played by Christina Bianco, who not only has substantial vocal range, but also an interesting array of comical performances of the various characters she takes on, from Jacob to Potiphar’s Wife to Prisoner.
The role of the Pharoah on this tour has been shared between various performers, and of course, who else would be better to take on the role for the Birmingham run than local Hippodrome panto favourite Matt Slack. Slack brings his own cheeky charm to the role and provides the audience with a few laughs as well as his excellent vocals.
Matthew Seadon-Young shone as Gordy and the whole ensemble gave energy, charisma and delicious harmonies to butter up the a-maize-d crowd.
Joseph has always been a great introduction to theatre for children and this production will certainly have all ages entranced and delightfully entertained.
This show was reviewed on the 22nd May 2025 at Birmingham Hippodrome where it runs until the 1st June 2025. Tickets available here: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Birmingham Hippodrome
Full tour details can be found here: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat • UK Tour
Review written by Rachel Louise Martin
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Photo credit: Tristram Kenton
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