Review: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat @ Grand Theatre, Blackpool

11:52am Wednesday 9th July 2008

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A modern take on one of the country’s most popular musicals had the Grand Theatre on its feet on Tuesday.

The start of a two-week run of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat left the full house audience enthralled.

As well as fine performances from the leads, the show combined the musical’s classic songs, such as Any Dream Will Do, mixed with versions in unfamiliar country and calypso styles.

The second half of the show saw the Pharaoh turn in a crowd-pleasing performance as Elvis.

Director Bill Kenwright cast three recent West End hopefuls from Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s TV talent searches, and the trio showed the depth of undiscovered talent in the country by putting on excellent performances.

Craig Chalmers, one of the most popular finalists from Any Dream Will Do, showed he had all the skills required to play Joseph, showing a range of vocal and acting talents, and setting teenage hearts aflutter appearing topless in many scenes.

Narrator Tara Bethan, a finalist on the recent I’d Do Anything, won by Blackpool’s own Jodie Prenger, was elegant in her role and skipped across the stage with an effortless grace.

Antony Hansen, another finalist from Any Dream Will Do and now part of a band with Craig Chalmers, played the Pharaoh and left the crowd All Shook Up after the interval with an inspired display as Elvis.

Always portrayed as a family musical, Joseph last night showed it can thrill all ages. The proof was, an image that will stay with me, of a man in his 80s dancing away at the end, with a smile as bright as Joseph’s coat.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool, until Saturday July 19.