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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Published Wednesday 18 July 2007 at 11:20 by Lisa Martland

There is a different atmosphere about an opening night when the lead performer has been cast via television. From the cheers that greeted Lee Mead’s first appearance onstage, one could sense the audience willing him to succeed.

The public’s response to the recent BBC series Any Dream Will Do has already resulted in a staggering amount of advance ticket sales, not to mention all the free publicity. Lucky then for the producers that the relatively experienced Mead comes up with the goods and appears relaxed and assured doing so.

While Mead’s acting could benefit from an injection of warmth to temper the arrogance on display, he is in excellent form vocally. His rendition of Close Every Door, encapsulating both tenderness and defiance, is a highlight.

The production itself is dedicated to the late Steven Pimlott who directed the London Palladium staging in 1991. Indeed the show is very much based on Pimlott’s interpretation, revived by associate director Nichola Treherne.

Together with choreographer Anthony Van Laast and designer Mark Thompson, who worked with Pimlott on that hit nineties production, this team creates an entertaining evening full of colour and high energy dance routines.

These ingredients are never more evident than when Egypt meets Las Vegas in Act II, allowing Dean Collinson an opportunity to give his all as a hip-swaying, Presley-inspired Pharaoh. In contrast, Preeya Kalidas disappoints as the Narrator, lacking charisma and despite a good pop voice occasionally straining vocally.

While I gradually tired of the show’s mismatch of scenes and musical spoofs, there is no doubt Rice and Lloyd Webber’s score remains as infectious as ever, especially when performed by a hugely talented ensemble and a charming children’s chorus picked from the Carmel Thomas Youth Singers.

Not long in to opening night and a technical difficulty with the revolve meant an awkward pause in the proceedings. Embarrassing for the producers, but a small hitch in what is likely to be a hit, whatever the critics say.

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