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16/01/2025

REVIEW: Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Sunderland Empire Theatre


Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Sunderland Empire
Until Sunday 19 January 2025


Michael Harrison’s lavish new production of Rice and Lloyd Webber’s Old Testament musical is an irresistible, high-energy feast of family entertainment, delivered with relish by a flawless cast.

Adam Filipe as Joseph

Originally written as a short piece for a London prep school, its infectious good humour and catchy songs have made Joseph one of the most successful musicals of modern times, endlessly touring, periodically re-invented and often splashily relaunched but always popular. It would be forgivable, therefore, to think that it might be showing its age by now, but Michael Harrison’s new production, under Laurence Connor’s inspired direction, brings it up as fresh and as bright as a daisy in the sunlight.
Christina Bianco as Narrator

The show starts as a story being told to a group of children by Christina 
Bianco’s twinkly and impish narrator. The show then opens out onto Morgan Large’s colourful, impressionistic set and Joseph’s story is portrayed by an adult cast, with the children mixed in and playing key roles here and there. This works very well to keep the tone light and unmistakably family-oriented.


The songs, many of which are popular standards by now, are an effective 
mixture of straight musical theatre and witty pastiche. Nothing is taken too seriously, although Joseph’s signature ballad, Close Every Door To Me, in a showstopping performance here by Adam Filipe, has enough power and emotion to rival Les Miserables.

Joseph’s brothers and their wives make for a multi-talented chorus, with lively characterisation, first-rate singing and exuberant, skilful dancing, cleverly choreographed by Joann M. Hunter. The ensemble, in fact, is one of the stars of the show, though Hugh Cotton’s Reuben and Will Haswell’s Simeon stand out, seizing their moments to shine in the numbers, One More Angel In Heaven and Those Canan Days, respectively.


Local hero, Joe McElderry, fresh from Newcastle Theatre Royal’s pantomime, 
brings all the Vegas glitz and Elvis style power to the Pharaoh’s number. His customary twinkle and his irrepressible good humour, coupled with his unbeatable vocals fully justified the enthusiastic response from the audience. 

McElderry, of course, was a huge hit in the title role not very long ago, a role here performed by the formidably talented Adam Filipe. Filipe brings charm, intelligence, the now-expected athletic physique and, above all, a terrific voice. Rich, supple, true and with bright, thrilling top notes, it is a formidable instrument that, if there’s any justice, ought to propel him to West End stardom.


Christina Bianco links the whole show with an infectious, witty performance, showcasing her vocal flexibility and range in amusing cameos as Jacob, and Potiphar’s man-eater of a wife.

It must be said that the show looks splendid, from the sun rolling across an open, desert scene, with delightfully designed camels, to the shimmering splendour of Pharaoh’s Egypt. Morgan Large’s colourful and imaginative costumes complement his set design perfectly.


John Cameron’s lively orchestrations under the capable direction of John Rigby, bring out all the charm of the well-crafted songs and let these talented vocalists shine. The customary megamix that closes the show brings all the audience to their feet, of course, but I think this full-on, polished and hugely enjoyable family entertainment would probably have done so, even without it.

Review: Jonathan Cash
Photos: Tristram Kenton

On The Web:

 http://uktour.josephthemusical.com/ 

Tickets:

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will hit Sunderland Empire’s stage from Tuesday 14 – Sunday 19 January 2025. Tickets available online now at ATGTickets.com/ Sunderland *

* A £3.95 transaction fee may apply to online bookings.

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