Tuesday night (July 21) saw the much awaited opening of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat…and it did not disappoint!

Milton Keynes Theatre is playing host to Bill Kenwright’s production until Sunday 26th.  If you love musical theatre, especially anything that Andrew Lloyd Webber has written, then this is a must see show for you!

It’s an adaptation of a popular biblical story about Joseph, the second youngest of twelve brothers (but favourite) son born to Jacob.  Joseph is a dreamer, seeing one day all those around him will bow before him.  His brothers do not appreciate this bravado very much, and when their father gives Joseph a beautiful multi-coloured coat that sets him apart from them all, it’s the last straw. They take him to be sold as a slave and rip his wonderful coat into pieces.  The story is of Joseph’s struggle against adversity, when all around him seems bleak - his dreams eventually do come true…….

After a long overture, the cast blasted onto the stage set that was vibrant and impressive.  This production is fast moving and fun, with blow up fluffy sheep, cardboard singing camels….it even has Elvis (alive and kicking as the pharaoh) played by Scott Cripps.  The story is held together by the wonderful singing talent of Rachael Louise Miller as the Narrator, her powerful vocal was fantastic.  The band of brothers where collectively brilliant supporting the impressive Craig Chalmers as Joseph.  He has been touring with this show since August 2007, after being spotted by Bill Kenwright during the television show “Any dream will do.” Chalmers’s performance was right on the money - he was witty, his vocals were awesome (making my hair on my arms stand on end at times!) and above all his personality shone through; enhancing his performance right until the final curtain.

A special mention has to go to the enchanting voices of the Joseph Choir from The Myra Tiffin Performing Arts School - their smiling and angelic faces looked down from the stage, some of them as young a five, sitting as still as stone until their cue - they gave a polished and enjoyable performance. 

The end came all too soon with the audience being encouraged to join in with a montage of songs from the show, some standing, some reservedly in their seats but all singing along!  However, they all raised to their feet to give Craig Chalmers and the cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat a standing ovation, which they thoroughly deserved….it was as it says in the title of the show….. “Amazing”!