Churchill Theatre, Bromley
****
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Directed by Bill Kenwright
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| The Company |
A technicolour spectacle is promised by the cast and crew of Joseph and it is duly delivered – to
rapturous applause. Telling the classic Old Testament story of the favourite of
Jacob’s 12 sons cruelly cast out in a fraternal coup, at the heart of the dark
tale is a celebration of hope and dreams.
The role of Joseph is brilliantly filled by Joe McElderry, the former X
Factor winner seeming right at home on this stage and switching effortlessly
between jovial and heartfelt in his performance. McElderry’s voice is
magnificent, bringing the audience to its feet during act one’s Close Every
Door and then again during the reprises. Bringing a youthful vibrancy to the
stage, he is made for the part.
The maddeningly catchy songs from the well-known show have the audience
singing along throughout. The children’s choir from Carmel Thomas Performing
Arts never miss a beat and add a delightful tone to the musical. There are
moments however when the orchestra overpowers the lead vocalists and the audience
struggles to keep up with the story.
Bill Kenwright, the impresario himself, directs so the comedy is plentiful with both visual and verbal gags. When Joseph hops
into a boat with his captors, the three actors move the boat along with
synchronised footwork; as he deciphers Pharaoh’s dream, a thought bubble
appears above his head and when Jacob and his sons sing about the devastation
caused to them by the famine, the number is bizarrely set in Paris, complete
with exaggerated French mannerisms and accents. Bonkers certainly, but it works
with great comic effect.
Emilianos Stamatakis delivers a sterling
performance as the Elvis-inspired Pharoah and a nod too to Lewis Asquith, who makes an excellent
and highly engaging Butler. Asquith also pops up as one of the sons who, as an
ensemble work brilliantly together, executing some great choreography (Henry
Metcalfe). Nick Richings’ lighting also ties the show together well, adding a colourful
dimension to the production that neatly offsets the story’s darkness.
There is more than a hint of pantomime in the production and the
audience in Bromley on a Tuesday night was only too eager to get involved. An
uplifting and joyous experience!
Runs until 5th March then tours
Reviewed by Bhakti Gajjar
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