Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Bolton Premier Productions and Dawn Dawson’s Academy of Dance

Until Sunday

JOSEPH was written 50 years ago now by the budding team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber and was a retelling of the Bible story from Genesis and played in various incarnations over the years.

It’s also only just been re-released for adult societies to perform so it was fitting that director Marge Brayshaw has assembled a talented cast and crew to perform at the Albert Halls after a four-year break.

The real magic behind Joseph lies in the diverse musical palette and accessible lyrics and it’s still as fresh today as it must have seemed all those years ago.

Sam Bate as Joseph is extremely likeable and he is quite literally perfect for this role.

Perfect vocals, great stage presence and extremely talented.

A performance worthy of the West End.

Olivia Callahan as the narrator takes the role firmly in her stride. Another great performance and kept this energetic show moving at pace.

Joseph is supported by his brothers played by Dave Hankinson, Rob Armstrong, Brent Charlton, Rohan Jenkin, David Perks, George Platt, Kyle Halliwell, Jonny Cunliffe, Ian Preston, Nathaniel Elechi and Adam Garnett. These chaps really show just how good an ensemble can be. They each shine in certain moments of the show but as a group they just gelled.

Ray Godwin as Pharaoh channeled Elvis to perfection and provided much of the audience participation.

Stewart Ball, Chris Higson and Victoria Armstrong completed the principle cast, minor yet important parts of Joseph’s story and were all excellent.

The rest of the dancers and chorus were equally as good as the principles.

Members of Dawn Dawson’s Dance Academy were also part of the production and added further flair and cuteness to the production. Musical MD Lauren Mullholland and the band were also on top form.

The is a fast paced showed, constantly on the go, a bit cheesy in places but a perfect night’s entertainment. It’s also a short show but you get to relive many of the key songs again at the end in a Joseph megamix!

Jason Crompton