Review Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was the first musical I ever saw live on stage and has therefore had a special place in my heart.
However, when I recently mentioned the show to my 12-year-old daughter and she declared she had never heard of it, I realised that I had failed her in her musical education.
I was therefore over the moon when I was invited to check out the new UK 2025 tour at its Opera House Manchester stop.
If, like my daughter, you are unaware of this iconic musical, written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, the show brings the biblical story of Joseph, the 11th son of Jacob, to life with a colourful twist.
As the favourite son, Joseph’s brothers have always been jealous of him. This comes to a head when their father Jacob gifts him a magnificent multicoloured coat, and they plot against him and sell him into slavery. It becomes apparent that Joseph’s fortune has taken a dramatic turn. But as the old saying goes ‘you can’t keep a good man down’.
The lead role of Joseph is played by Adam Filipe, who brings a perfect blend of charisma, vulnerability, and amazing voice to the role. Filipe’s portrayal of Joseph’s journey was both heartfelt and relatable. In fact rendition of ‘Close Every Door’ gave me goosebumps and gained the biggest applause of the evening.
Former X Factor winner, Joe McElderry made the part of Pharaoh his own. His performance was a perfect mix of energy, humour and charm as he summoned his inner Elvis.
However, it was Christina Bianco, as the Narrator, who for me gave the stand-out performance of the evening. Both engaging and entertaining, she could seamlessly transition between narration, interaction with the other characters and her other roles of Jacob and Mrs Potiphar. Her vocal range was extremely impressive as she sang in pretty much every number in the show.
I would be amiss not to mention the ensemble cast. Each brought lots of flair to their roles and mastered the complicated choreography which ranged from cheerleading to can cans, tap dancing and more.
The child ensemble, who played a number of roles including the brothers and Mr Potiphar, were exceptional and gained some of the biggest laughs of the evening. This delightful nod to the fact ‘Joseph’ was originally written for school children to perform was extremely welcome.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is known for its colourful staging and this tour was no exception. The costumes were all dazzling, and the coat itself was everything it should be.
The sets using a mix of elaborate backdrops and amazing lighting effects seamlessly transported the audience to ancient Egypt with a fun modern twist.
Having raved about the musical to my daughter for months, I was keen to hear her thoughts and I am pleased to announce that she loved it. However, she did mention that she hadn’t released the whole story would be sung, and I overheard a group of teens also mention this. It may therefore be worth preparing any newbies before heading to the show.
It is always a risk watching a new production of a show that you love and I am thankful that this tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat didn’t disappoint. It successfully combined timeless storytelling with amazing music and vocals, vibrant performances, and creative staging. It is a must-see for any theatre lovers – but be warned you will be singing Go Go Josephs and reeling off colours for days on end.
You can catch Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Opera House Manchester until Sunday 9th March 2025.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Tour Merchandise
Along with the usual programmes on sale (available for £6.00) there are lots of other great merchandise to purchase.
Prices range from £5.00 for a magnet and £10 for a badge set to £20 for t-shirts and £50 for hoodies.
More >>> Things To Do In Manchester City Centre For Families
