A minimalist modern rostra and steps with a multi-coloured backcloth greeted the audience as they took their seats in eager anticipation of this evening's production of the perennial favourite, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, presented by a majority very youthful cast from local amateur society JS80.
Arguably the world's favourite and most-performed musical, it is difficult to believe that its creators, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice first wrote the original score over 50 years ago! Yes, it has gone through several rewrites with songs added or taken away, and each time it goes on tour, more contemporary references are added, but its bouncy pop score, simple-to-follow narrative, and silly lyrics make it a firm favourite even with today's technology-obsessed children.
JS80 obviously has a very firm emphasis on youth and children, and the energy and sheer joy of performing was palpable, even right at the back of the auditorium! The society had cast the show well, and utilised a large and excellently disciplined children's chorus along with casting many of the principal roles from the youth membership. It was a very large cast, and entrances and exits were effected smoothly and always on cue.
I have seen this musical perhaps more than I have seen any, and yet, with every viewing each society, each director, brings about their own personal twist or sense of humour, and I always find something new in there that I hadn't seen before. This evening, director Ivor Farley surprised me and made me chuckle out loud several times, not least by having Howard Yaffe portray Potiphar as Donald Trump; absolutely hilarious and it worked so well.
Costumes (Charades, St. Helens and Magic Box) were excellent to a man, and the choreography (Gemma Sales) was in a word, perfect. It was age- and ability appropriate, in the correct genre, upbeat and nice to watch with good use of space; as well as making some lovely 'picture' endings. The music (Marilyn Blank) was good and secure, but it did tend to sound somewhat tinny and unsupported. More bass and fuller chordal structure to the whole would have sounded better.
Act one was superb, but act two didn't quite match up sadly. One of the reasons for this could have been that it is much shorter and the awful "Mega-Mix" which is now unfortunately a part of the show (and can't be cut!) doesn't really work, and was wisely used as an extension of the curtain call this evening. However, there were two things in the second act which seemed wrong or out of place for me. I didn't understand the need for or use of two flamenco-style dancers in 'Those Canaan Days', since the song is a French Chanson; and even more off-putting for me was the Benjamin Calypso being a joyous, silly, up-beat, tongue-in-cheek comedy song. The brothers are literally pleading for their (or at least Benjamin's) lives here and it is a serious moment in the show (and there aren't that many serious moments!)
However that being said, there was much to enjoy and applaud with this show, and touches such as Biker Ishmaelites were clever and funny. Good use of haze and lighting throughout (including candles for 'Close Every Door' - a nice touch), and a company of dedicated, talented and enthusiastic performers (it was a lovely idea to have 6 narrators) really made this a truly energising and uplifting theatrical experience. Joseph really is the ultimate feel-good musical, and JS80 did not flinch in their quest to make us all leave humming the tunes with huge smiles on our faces.
All the cast were very good indeed, and so it would be unfair to single any individual out. However, that is exactly what I am about to do. Sadly I do not know the young boy's name, but I believe he deserves a special mention. Dressed in gold, he played in act two one of three "guards" around the Pharoah's throne, and had the short lines "I know a bloke in jail...." I was drawn to his every time he was on stage as he had, for me, that X-factor. Excellent stage presence, incredible facial expressions and moved well. [I have since been informed that the young lad is called Josh Levene].
The society has every reason to feel immensely proud of this production, and I look forward to hopefully coming to watch whatever they produce next year!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 6/11/19
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