Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

By Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber

Performed: April 2013

Review by Dave Stacey

IT has long been believed by people in the entertainments industry that the best stories and the most interesting characters are to be found in the Bible.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice discovered a winner in its pages more than 40 years ago.

Their musical version of the story of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat started life as a 15-minute snippet and over the years has grown and grown into a full-scale show – which in one of its early incarnations was described as a pop oratorio.

Unlike most musicals it is told solely through song and dance with no interludes of spoken dialogue.

Burton Little Theatre Company’s youth group made a splendid job of it at the Brewhouse arts centre on the opening night.

Joseph, as the Hebrew boy who was so loved by his father, Jacob, that he was given a multi-coloured coat , was superbly played by Tom Dent.

His singing of Any Dream Will Do was a highlight.

His changes of character from a spoiled son with ambitious dreams, to his wretchedness as a prisoner after his resentful brothers sold him into slavery, then grandeur when made into a power in Egypt to save the country from famine, were beautifully portrayed.

Tom brought humour to the role of Pharaoh and Shannon Lenton was outstanding as the singing narrator, showing no hint of the hard work and learning that must have gone into this arduous role.

Not only Shannon but nine children from Stretton’s William Shrewsbury School choir appeared in modern dress, in contrast to the splendid Biblical costumes of the rest of the large cast.

Those nine youngsters made a valuable contribution to the show, singing with great enthusiasm.

Credit must go to musical director Katie Hailstone and choreographer Katie Haywood for the well drilled ensemble work which was the mainstay of the production.

As usual, John Bowness made a brilliant job of directing the show.