A brilliant production of this best loved musical

Approaching 40 years of age this grand old lady of musical theatre has had a massive facelift turning it from a rather tired entity into a fresh and vibrant show full of infectious energy and vitality.

It’s musical score embraces some of the best loved songs that have been revamped ingeniously and cleverly wrapped around the story to embrace country and western, calypso, 20’s razzmatazz jazz and rock n’roll.

The production is seamless with blow-up sheep, talking camels some rather camp flunkies. The lighting, choreography and design border on brilliance and move the production along at break neck speed.

For me the role of Joseph will always belong to Jason Donovan, but I have to admit, having seen the show dozens of times, Joe McElderrry is the best Joseph I have seen since the iconic Donovan.

McElderry is totally believable. He can act, sing and puts his own stamp on the role, especially with the highly charged emotional Close Every Door to Me which was pure gold.  McElderry has certainly found his niche which lies deep in musical theatre. I really believe there’s a whole plethora of roles he could tackle with success.

The narrator. I always feel is a thankless part, but Lucy Kay shows what a highly talented singer and actress she is because you remember her long after the final curtain. She alive and vibrant and really lives the story with you.

There’s some wonderful charactor acting from Henry Metcalfe as Jacob and Potiphar his experience emerges through the roles I loved his rather Noel Coward Potiphar. As Jacob we saw him age not just in a whiter wig but physically becoming frail and bent and with some wonderful aged facial reactions.

With a high energy chorus of brothers, supporting roles and a well drilled children’s chorus, Joseph has certainly stood the test of time and still rocks as much as it did all those decades ago.

The show runs at The Grand Theatre until Saturday 26th March and is certainly a great Easter treat.

Liz Coggins