REVIEW OF JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT BY LYNN CARROLL

June 19, 2025

I knew that I had seen this musical and I also knew that I had thoroughly enjoyed it. However, it was more than two decades ago and I was surprised at just how much I had forgotten. Of course most people with even a smattering of biblical knowledge will know the basics of Joseph’s story but I could have sworn this was a whole new show, to the extent that I went straight to good old YouTube as soon as I got home. I doubted very much that my first experience of the show included a showcase of Elvis, Western dancing, French can can and with bits of other non- related extras thrown in. But, there it was on YouTube very old clips of exactly what I had just witnessed, different sets of course but same delivery of the story.

This did rather confuse me for as everyone probably knows by now I am a bit of a Puritan when it comes to theatre and I find it hard to accept when well known stories divert too much from the original. Still, I would not dream of allowing my own prejudices to be reflected in any review.

With that said I have no complaints. This type of show is obviously what younger generations find more palatable and enjoyable and judging by the audience response and tumultuous applause everyone was more than happy. But just to be picky I must add that Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice were very young when first asked to produce a little something for a school concert 57 years ago and thus Joseph was conceived. I do wonder if in their later years it might have been written differently.

There have been some notable names playing Joseph in past productions, including; Donny Osmond, Jason Donovan, Philip Schofield and ‘Any Dream Will Do’ winner Lee Mead. If my eyes were not deceiving me I feel sure that Joseph Craig claimed the stage last night as understudy for Adam Filipe, and a very fine Joseph he was. One could not help feeling that he could have given any of the aforementioned a run for their money.

The part of Pharaoh, played ably by Joe McElderry, was not a particularly big role, indeed he appeared only in the second half, but made quite an impression with his cheeky Elvis mimicry and audience asides.

The cast as a whole were, as always, extremely talented and brought the show to life with zest and energy. At the end, with Joseph and his family reunited, they all came together for a song and dance megamix that got everyone in the audience standing, clapping and cheering. I doubt anyone left the theatre feeling other than uplifted and happy. Great show, great evening, go see.