MUSIC THEATRE
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Tim Rice
Produced by Tim Lawson with Michael Harrison by arrangement with The Really Useful Group
At Regent Theatre, Melbourne until 29 Jan 2023
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: ***1/2
This review is published only on this blog but I will do a radio review on Arts Weekly on either Sat 19 Nov or Sat 3 Dec.
NB: The word 'technicolor' in the title uses US spelling. KH
 |
| Euan Fistrovic Doidge (top) with Paulini (front centre) & ensemble. Photo supplied. |
Before Jesus became a Superstar for Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the pair wrote a cantata in 1967 for a school choir based on the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis. So, this begat their enduring stage musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Joseph was the favourite son of Jacob who gave him a coat of many colours. This made Jacob’s other 11 sons jealous, so they tried to kill Joseph then sold him into slavery. He was imprisoned, but his talent as a dream interpreter brought him to the attention of the Pharaoh who, when Joseph predicted and solved the problem of the impending seven-year famine in Egypt, made Joseph his right-hand man.
After decades of school and amateur theatre versions of the show, Laurence Connor’s revamped production has a ready-made audience, and his new staging caters shamelessly to families by casting children in featured adult character roles that, in previous interpretations, were played by seasoned musical theatre performers.
Even more shameless is the Australian production’s casting of Shane Crawford, former AFL footballer and footy show presenter, as Pharaoh. Suffice to say that, as an actor-singer, Crawford makes a good footballer. Evidently, Trevor Ashley takes over the role after Melbourne which will elevate Pharaoh’s Elvis-inspired Song of the King to appropriate heights of Elvis-ness. This is a song that should, but does not, leave the crowd cheering.
The show is sung-through, meaning that it has no dialogue, so the story and characters are revealed through the 20+ songs that are a pastiche – one might say mish-mash – of disparate styles from country hoedown, to French chanson, ‘50s rock, calypso and pop ballad.
Paulini’s powerful voice and composed, almost relaxed performance give weight to the Narrator who, surrounded by seated, attentive children, introduces the show with a sung Prologue. She moves the story along with interpolated lyrics, songs and snatches of other characters including Jacob, Joseph’s father.
Playing Joseph, Euan Fistrovic Doidge is an experienced musical theatre performer, albeit not usually in the leading role, who delivers an impassioned interpretation of the soaring lament, Close Every Door to Me, when Joseph is imprisoned, and the gentle tune Any Dream Will Do in which Joseph reflects on his dreams and his coat of many colours.
The catchy tunes keep coming with Jacob and Sons, There’s One More Angel In Heaven and the rowdy, fun, up-tempo number, Go Go Joseph. But the highlight of the show was the audacious performance, magnetism and vocal dexterity of Daniel Raso leading Joseph’s 11 brothers in Those Canaan Days, a French-inflected ballad infused with yearning for those days before the famine and with a French Can-Can inserted into the song for a contrasting hoot.
The set and costume design by Morgan Large are bold and vivid with spectacular echoes of ancient Egypt, while the choreography by Joann M Hunter is sassy and as eclectic as the songs.
There is a cuteness factor of children playing adult roles and wearing cheesy beards, but the show loses impact and nuance without all roles being played and sung by capable adult performers.
Despite the shortcomings of the production, Joseph is almost fail-safe after all these decades of success, so it’s virtually guaranteed a summer audience in Melbourne.
by Kate Herbert
 |
| Euan Fistrovic Doidge. Photo supplied. |
 |
| Paulini & children. Photo supplied. |
Cast
Narrator -Paulini
Joseph - Euan Fistrovic Doidge
The Pharaoh - Shane Crawford (Melbourne season only)
Sarah Dimas, Matt Douglass, David Duketis, Ashlee Hammerin, David Hammond, Jackson Head, Alex Hyne, Hanlon Innocent, Nat Jobe, Heath Keating, Nicolas van Litsenborgh, Avigalle Mendoza, William Motunuu, Courtney Murray, Catrina Ralph, Daniel Raso, Annabelle Rosewarne, Asmara Soekotjo, Gabriella Tooma, William Tukia Edwards, Nicole Vella, Stephanie Wall.
Creative Team
Morgan Large (Set and Costume Designer),
Ben Cracknell (Lighting Designer),
Gareth Owen (Sound Designer)
Richard Mawbey (Hair, Wigs & Makeup Design).
No comments:
Post a Comment