Andrew Lloyd Webber is synonymous with the British musical industry. All with good reason making music with classics including the likes of Phantom of the Opera, Evita and Sunset Boulevard. Joseph & The Technicolor Dreamcoat returns to its 1991 home at the London Palladium for a strictly limited revival.
There has been a case of Webber-fever recently with a brief West End revival The Woman in White (2017), Jesus Christ Superstar limited run at Barbican (2019) and School of Rock continuously running since 2016. Not to mention Cats movie coming to cinemas at the end of this year…
I have only had a the pleasure of seeing School of Rock at Gillian Lynne Theatre that I admit had a nostalgia-bias favouring the movie more. I must have forgotten to write a review on it last year (oops).
Regardless, I was excited to see Joseph & The Technicolor Dreamcoat as I remember turning on the TV for Children In Need and witnessed this very rendition of Any Dream Will Do:
I was the same age as those kids on stage at the time.
Boy, seeing it on stage was whole different experience. I could only imagine my nine years old self sitting in my seat – eyes sparkling in excitement while swinging their little legs that could hardly touch the floor. I used every ounce of willpower not to sing along.
It was I expected and more. High energy, full of colour and talent. Sheridan Smith done an outstanding job as the narrator both bubbly, engaging and fun grabbing our hand while we explore Joseph’s story.
Original 1991 London Joseph Jason Donovan returns to the West End as the Pharaoh. To the delight of the older fans in the crowd entering with an applause so long that even I couldn’t sustain. Even this legend did not overshadow the current Joseph, Jac Yarrow, a fresh out of drama school that did not just keep up with the veterans but excelled on stage. The supporting cast and kids were also spot on.
Wonderful night that awaken my inner child with a barrage colour but now I get the adult jokes.
My student budget is struggling to keep up.
Experienced on 23.08.2019