JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

BOSSY at Brentwood Theatre

27.11.2014

Bossy go back to basics for this enjoyably uncomplicated Joseph.

I remember those early performances [and recordings] before the show got bloated and starry, and Gaynor Wilson's production captures that spirit successfully: clear narration [five excellent young ladies drawing us in to the Bible story], good work from the chorus [Jacob and Daughters] and some impressive lighting – Joseph's jail, and an enormous mirror ball for his big numbers.

Jon O'Neill is an engaging Dreamer, very much the shy, rejected brother, but strong in Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do.

Plenty more compelling performances in this young cast: Oliver Harvey's Pharaoh, Josh Rees's Potiphar with his triangular abacus and his wayward wife [Tomi Bello/Hannah Durowse], Alfie Gardner's Judah, charming in the Calypso, and Heather Nye's Simeon, an outstanding chanteuse for Canaan Days.

Andy Prideaux and his band kept the music moving along nicely, except perhaps in the disappointing encore sequence.

The coat gets equal billing in this show; most Josephs would be content with the Act One dreamcoat [ripped by jealous brothers] but Jon gets to wear the stunning threads tailored by the London College of Fashion for Aled Jones, and loaned by Brentwood Theatre Administrator Mark Reed. But that's another story …

apologies to those whose twitpics I've borrowed ...