Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat took the audience through a colourful array of emotions on Wednesday night.
Direct from two successful seasons at the London Palladium, the show played at Leeds Grand Theatre and certainly did not disappoint. The spectacle, produced by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber has won numerous awards and has been performed in over 80 countries.
It has become one of the world's most loved musicals featuring classics such as Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me, There’s One More Angel In Heaven and Go, Go, Go Joseph. The show took the audience through a technicolour dream of emotions - laughter, tears, shock, and joy.
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I had seen versions of this musical performed in the past but the 2022 version was definitely the best I have seen. The modern version had an amazing comedic element which left the audience in stitches of laughter.
The set while simple also felt elaborate compared with the last few tours of the musical. The set constantly changed throughout the first act, while in the second two giant golden statues dominated the proceedings.
The singing was impeccable - notably of those playing Jacob's sons. What's more the choreography was electric and so sharp there was not one step or count out of line.
The child actors in the show were some of the best I have ever seen - they were on stage for a lot of numbers and brought so much energy to the show. Their one-liner jokes, particularly that of the Baker and Butler, added into the musical numbers had the audience whaling in laughter, and their singing left watchers stunned in Any Dream Will Do.
Linizi Hateley kicked off the show as the narrator - she voice left the audience stunned and cheering so loud after every number. Linzi was on stage for most of the show and her energy and voice was powerful. Jac Yarrow starred as Joseph - he was the perfect match offering light and shade in his performance.
Jac commanded the stage in bringing together all the different elements to his character. His performance of Close Every Door brought the show to stop due to the lengthy appreciation of the audience applause.
At one point, I thought 'where's Jason Donovan?' as his face is plastered all over the brochures and the programme. But he certainly made up for it when he came out with a bang with sass and whit as the Pharaoh.
The stage transformed into a golden dream and the former Neighbours star was carried out on a gold thrown. The crowd cheered as he arrived but he almost looked unrecognisable as he was deep in the character.
The humour he brought was amazing as he performed Stone The Cows. The audience were left flustered as he gyrated on stage, and smirked - bringing some sexiness to Leeds Grand Theatre.
A sea of smiling faces and laughter prevailed as Donovan broke character and laughed as the Pharaoh was giving orders to Joseph. It was no surprise when every single audience member was up on their feet delivering a standing ovation at the end of the show. The final number, a Joseph Megamix, had the audience singing at the top of their voices and dancing in their seats.
Beaming smiles were seen all around the beautiful theatre as confetti was released. "We love you Leeds" said narrator Linzi, as the actors appeared overjoyed by the appreciation for their performance
The show was spectacular leaving audience members overjoyed as they exited the theatre. I would definitely recommend this amazing show which left me feeling like I went to see it on Broadway.
You can find out more about shows at Leeds Grand Theatre by visiting the venue's website.
Act One
- “Prologue” - Narrator
- “Any Dream Will Do” - Joseph
- “Jacob and Sons” - Narrator, *Joseph, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Wives, Ensemble
- “Joseph’s Coat” - Jacob, Joseph, Narrator, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Wives, Ensemble
- “Joseph’s Dreams” - Narrator, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Joseph
- “Poor, Poor Joseph” - Narrator, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Ishmaelites
- “One More Angel in Heaven” - Narrator, Reuben (soloist), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Wives, Jacob
- “Potiphar” - Narrator, Male Ensemble, Mrs. Potiphar, Potiphar, Joseph
- “Close Every Door” - Joseph
- “Go, Go, Go Joseph” - Narrator, Butler, Baker, Ensemble, Joseph
Act Two
- “Pharaoh’s Story” - Narrator
- “Poor, Poor Pharaoh” - Narrator, Butler, Pharaoh, Ensemble
- “Song of the King” - Pharaoh, Ensemble
- “Pharaoh’s Dream Explained” - Joseph, Ensemble
- “Stone the Crows” - Narrator, Pharaoh, Joseph, Female Ensemble
- “Those Canaan Days” - Simeon (soloist), Reuben, Jacob, Reuben, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin
- “The Brothers Come to Egypt/Grovel, Grovel” - Narrator, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Joseph, Female Ensemble
- “Who’s the Thief?” - Joseph, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Female Ensemble
- “Benjamin’s Calypso” - Judah (soloist), Joseph, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, *Benjamin, Ensemble
- “Joseph All the Time” - Narrator, Joseph, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Female Ensemble
- “Jacob in Egypt” - Narrator, Jacob, Ensemble
- “Any Dream Will Do (Reprise)” - Joseph, Narrator, Jacob, Ensemble
- “Joseph Megamix” - Full Company
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