IF ASKED to sum up the plot of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in five words I would say love, jealousy, deceit, forgiveness and reconciliation.
In slightly more words I could say beloved son is sold into slavery by his brothers because they are jealous of the love his father has for him – and the coat he has been given.
The boy survives through the power of his dreams and is eventually reunited with his brothers who he sees are now good people and he is able to forgive them.
If asked to describe the plot in even more words I would ask why because this is Joseph and whether through the original Bible, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical or the TV show Any Dream Will Do you should know it by now.
As it was the tour headed up by Craig Chalmers from the hit BBC programme many people in the audience were just there to see him.
The other cast members are just as important though and one maybe more so –Rachael Louise Miller as the narrator which brings the show into the realm of a tale of two blondes rather than being all about Craig.
Having only a slight costume change from a light blue dressing gown to a star and moon themed waistcoat, which would not have looked out of place on a children’s television presenter, she has to rely instead on her singing voice to dazzle the audience.
And thankfully her voice does dazzle, pushing the action along from the land of Canaan to Egypt and everywhere in between.
It is no mistake that the second largest amount of applause at the end of the show goes to her because she is very impressive.
But, on stage at The Churchill where the tour began two years ago, Craig Chalmers as Joseph is the cast member most people have come to see.
His Joseph develops nicely and, through the magic of theatre and costume changes, it is believable to see how he manages to rise up from being an all too trusting brother to the one who controls the fate not just of his family but of the whole of Egypt.
Songwise the stand out moment is undoubtedly when he sings Close Every Door.
He is alone in his cell but every audience member feels for him and it is then it is clear to see how he has been playing the role for two years rather than crashing and burning in the first few weeks like some critics believed he would.
The costumes mix the somewhat traditional with some nice touches including Elvis (yes, he’s back in the building) as the Pharaoh and obviously the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat.
Alongside a set which conjures up the different places and some highly polished dancing and singing, Joseph is worth watching for fans of the television show who did not catch it last time, those who did and want to watch it again and for anyone who loves musicals.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Churchill Theatre, Bromley until Sunday (July 12)
Box office 0870 060 6620
ambassadortickets.com/Bromley
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