TWENTY years ago I hung on the telephone for over four hours trying to get tickets to see Donny Osmond in the West End's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – I never did succeed.
Now in 2009, with a teenage son equally keen to see the musical, I was delighted when Milton Keynes Theatre announced they would be hosting the touring version of the colourful show.
Craig Chalmers, who finished runner-up in the BBC's Any Dream Will Do to find the next Joseph, would be starring.
We went along to the opening night on Tuesday and it did not disappoint. We thought it was absolutely fabulous family entertainment. The show tells the biblical story of Joseph and his eleven brothers, and how he dreams of his success, while they flounder. His brothers are jealous and sell him to passing Egyptians, but tell their father he was killed. But goodness always conquers evil and Joseph helps the Egyptian Pharaoh to interpret one of his dreams predicting a famine and made plans to prevent the people dying from starvation. His abilities secured him for life.
Craig was a fantastic Joseph and his co-stars Rachael Louise Miller, who was narrator, and Scott Cripps, who played a rather interesting 'King' or Pharaoh – we loved his Elvis impersonation – helped to make the show a success.
To be honest, I couldn't fault any of the actors. I loved every song – as you do because we all know the words even if we haven't seen the musical! I was also amazed at the scenery, quite simple in design, but dramatic in impact. The imitation sheep induced more than a few laughs.
And I got so involved with the story line that the reunion between father and son at the end reduce me to tears! - A quick glance around confirmed I wasn't the only one.
. . . Best bit? - well I don't have one because I enjoyed all of it and goodness knows why I have waited 20 years to see it – I won't be leaving it that long before I go and see a repeat performance. My teenager even oozed enthusiasm, usually as cool as a cucumber and man of few words, he said after the show: "Cor - that was really good" with a grin from ear to ear. Result. (And I saw him singing).
The show has finished at Milton Keynes Theatre now, but check out the link below for the touring version's next port of call if you cannot make the West End.
www.kenwright.com/default.asp?contentID=638Sarah Holmes
