Theatre and Dance

On the opening night of its two week run at Leeds Grand, the theatre was full to capacity including “the gods”, something I have not seen for a good few years.

This show, despite the fact it has now been touring for over 25 years just seems to get better and better. I must have either seen, or performed in, this show at least a dozen times over the last 30 years and I would rate the current production as probably the best yet.

To be successful, Joseph needs to have both a good narrator and a good Joseph, and this current show certainly has both of these in the form of Keith Jack and Craig Chalmers, well known to the audience through their appearances in the TV programme “Any dream will do” where both were in the last five of the finalists and after which both were offered parts in this touring production.

Their singing was superb and Craig’s rendition of “Close every door to me” was probably the best I have heard over the years. There are also a couple of other finalists from the show taking part. These were Chris Barton in the role of Benjamin and Alistair Brammer as Zebulun.

The Joseph musical originally started as a small 15-minute production back in 1968, as a piece for the choir at Colet Court School in London. Since then it has grown into this wonderful production lasting nearly two hours in length.

The cast of 23 performers, 11 of these being Joseph’s brothers, blend very well together. The choreography by Henry Metcalfe (who also plays the roles of Jacob and Potiphar) is excellent and the music, under the leadership of David Steadman, was slick and very well performed by the six musicians.

The story of Joseph is based on 10 Chapters of Genesis (37 to 46), the first book in The Bible. In the biblical land of Cannan, Joseph is the favourite son of Jacob. As such, he encounters the jealousy of his brothers, who object to his dreams in which he is the hero, with his brothers paying him homage. They arrange to have him killed and show their father his multi-coloured coat, splattered with blood, as proof of his death. But that is not the truth. Joseph in fact has been sold as a slave into Egypt and has entered Potiphar’s household, where he falls foul of his master who is jealous of his wife’s partiality for Joseph. Cast into jail, Joseph puts his interpretation of dreams to use. He sees death ahead for the baker and Pharaoh’s butler will be restored to his master’s side. Both dreams come true and we are well on the way. The ending is, of course, a happy one.

The capacity audience on the first night thoroughly enjoyed the show, as evidenced by the applause and standing ovation at the end. This is an ideal show for all the family, as was evidenced by the number of youngsters in the audience. And talking of youngsters, I must mention the Joseph Choir, comprising 28 youngsters from the Young Showstoppers at Heckmondwike who were precise in their vocals and had excellent stage discipline.

John Burland

Joseph is at the Grand until Saturday 9 February 2008.