Any Dream Will Do

Saw the new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last night. It was certainly very different to previous productions I’ve seen - slimmed down cast, more dance routines, fewer kids - but at the same time two of the cast had been in the original 1992 London Palladium show. And one of them - Linzi Hately - was playing the same role she had as a 21 year old newcomer. All power to her that she still gave a superb performance as the Narrator some 30 years on. The other original cast member still in the show was Jason Donovan. Back in 1992 he was starring as Joseph but, in spite of looking in pretty good shape for his age, he wasn’t going to get away with playing a young lad any more! Instead, he took on the Pharaoh/Elvis role and played it with just the right amount of “cheese”, acknowledging his advanced years with a few groans at the end of the dance.
A most enjoyable evenings entertainment but not quite as good as previous versions I’ve seen. I’m sure there were some very valid reasons for making all the changes, but I did feel they might have gone a little too far. On the other hand, if you’d never seen the previous version then you’d know no different and would have thought it a superb show. Which is exactly what my friend Stuart (who came with me in place of a cup tied Mrs C) said at the end. I’m glad he enjoyed it.