Pop and now West End star Alexandra Burke and newcomer Jac Yarrow led a fantastic cast in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the New Theatre in Cardiff this week.
Cardiff-native Jac and Alexandra had played the roles of Joseph and The Narrator respectively for years in the London Palladium, and it really showed with the electric energy and top-class performances they brought to the stage.
The costumes and staging were as bright and colourful as Joseph’s iconic coat and filled the New Theatre with a happiness that reflected many of the joyous songs and funny gags.
Telling the age-old story of Joseph in an original way alongside the classic music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics of Tim Rice, with modern twists and wit scattered throughout, the night was enigmatic right from the opening number.
The addition of a live orchestra really made the stage come to life, with the catchy songs filling the theatre and giving the audience good vibes and goosebumps alike.
Credit must also be given to the outstanding vocals by not only the leads but Bobby Windebank, who played the Pharoah, giving an iconic performance of ‘Song of the King’ set to a Las Vegas scenery that took over the stage and made the audience clap along.
The musical was a phenomenon, it’s really no surprise to see how it’s dominated the West End stage for over 70 years. The thing I’m most surprised at is that it’s taken me this long to see it! But I’m glad I did, as Jac and Alexandra, and the entire cast, brought it to life in spectacular fashion.
Released as a concept album in 1969, the stage version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become one of the world’s most beloved family musicals. The multi-award-winning show, which began life as a small-scale school concert, has been performed hundreds of thousands of times in over 80 countries and as far afield as Austria and Zimbabwe, and from Israel to Peru! The show features songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre standards, including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me, Jacob and Sons, There’s One More Angel In Heaven and Go Go Go Joseph.
Tickets are still on sale so get there fast to grab a last minute seat in an unmissable show.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is showing at Cardiff’s New Theatre until Saturday, 7 May 2022. Click here to find out more and book tickets.
