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A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson
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At school we learnt all the Joseph songs and performed them, not acting it out, just standing in a choir. I remember not if it was at school assembly or a specific concert, but those songs have stayed with me over the years.
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I have seen this musical before – with Jason Donovan and with Lee Mead taking the lead role. As with most things by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, you can never get too much of a good thing!
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In this production Joseph is played by Jac Yarrow, and we were treated to Rochelle Sherona taking the Narrator role – which she did spectacularly! In fact everything about it was spectacular: the costumes, the sets, the orchestra. Although its all set in “the land of Canaan” there’s various international twists to the songs. Pharaoh, played spectacularly by Bobby Windebank, is actually more Elvis in Vegas but has golden Egyptian dancing girls and massive sphinx decor. One song has them all in colourful cowboy boots with some line dancing moves; and who knew you could get tap dance sandals?! I would love a go in the wardrobe, the technicolour cheerleader dresses were fantastic too!
The brothers were all fantastic too, and their partners, I seriously could not criticise a single person on that stage all night. Oh and the camel, the camel was superb too!
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There were 6 youngsters included in the show and they did amazingly too, singing and dancing along, moving props just as the adults did. I loved the coloured cubes they had as seats that were used at various times. The children also featured in the prison with Joseph when he sang the iconic Close Every Door. The set was breath taking and added to the darkness he was experiencing. Also, I think something got in my eye…and throat…gosh the emotions that were invoked.
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Basically, if you have the chance to see this you really should – even if you have seen it before, its well worth it!
Further details: here.
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Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
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