Post by Tanith Messenger on Mar 16, 2011 21:57:26 GMT
RAINBOWS, boys in skimpy loin cloths and the cheesiest melodies this side of G-A-Y club on a Saturday night – Lloyd Webber virgins would be forgiven for thinking Dartford Pride had just arrived at The Orchard.
The long windedly titled Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is camper than a row of tents and Bill Kenwright’s latest tour of the irresistibly sunny musical delivers few surprises and sticks faithfully to the tried and tested formula which faithful fans of the show have come to expect.
However, it’s no bad thing. After all, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?
The show’s biggest draw and selling point is the casting of Any Dream Will Do runner-up Keith Jack.
It’s been a long road to bagging the title role for the baby-faced 23-year-old, who previously toured in the show as the usually female Narrator.
Fans of the BBC contest, which saw Lee Mead win the coveted part of Joseph in the musical’s West End revival a few years back, will remember judges criticised Jack for looking too young.
Now buffed up and a little more mature, Jack is clearly enjoying his chance to shine, but was it worth the wait?
Well, yes and no. While he certainly looks the part and is an extremely likeable Joseph, his voice was disappointingly pitchy at times and he clearly struggled to hold his own during a couple of solos – his rendition of Close Every Door failed to stir any emotions except concern that his voice might crack during the crescendo.
His voice sounded tired and forced, perhaps suggesting the gruelling hours required for a tour of this size was taking its toll of the young actor.
Another disappointment was Jennifer Potts as the Narrator who, like Jack, failed to confidently own the stage and electrify with her vocals.
However, their subdued performances had strong support from the exhuberant and effervescent ensemble playing Joseph’s jealous brothers.
As always, Adam Jarrell steals the show as Pharaoh, re-invented as a hip-shaking, rock ‘n’ rolling Elvis.
It’s all been seen a thousand times before, of course, but the show’s irresistible mix of feel-good fun and colourful theatrics means no matter how many times it comes around, it’s always worth the ticket price. Go, go, go Joseph!
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The Orchard, Home Gardens, Dartford. Until March 19. For tickets, call 01322 220000 or visit orchardtheatre.co.uk
The long windedly titled Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is camper than a row of tents and Bill Kenwright’s latest tour of the irresistibly sunny musical delivers few surprises and sticks faithfully to the tried and tested formula which faithful fans of the show have come to expect.
However, it’s no bad thing. After all, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?
The show’s biggest draw and selling point is the casting of Any Dream Will Do runner-up Keith Jack.
It’s been a long road to bagging the title role for the baby-faced 23-year-old, who previously toured in the show as the usually female Narrator.
Fans of the BBC contest, which saw Lee Mead win the coveted part of Joseph in the musical’s West End revival a few years back, will remember judges criticised Jack for looking too young.
Now buffed up and a little more mature, Jack is clearly enjoying his chance to shine, but was it worth the wait?
Well, yes and no. While he certainly looks the part and is an extremely likeable Joseph, his voice was disappointingly pitchy at times and he clearly struggled to hold his own during a couple of solos – his rendition of Close Every Door failed to stir any emotions except concern that his voice might crack during the crescendo.
His voice sounded tired and forced, perhaps suggesting the gruelling hours required for a tour of this size was taking its toll of the young actor.
Another disappointment was Jennifer Potts as the Narrator who, like Jack, failed to confidently own the stage and electrify with her vocals.
However, their subdued performances had strong support from the exhuberant and effervescent ensemble playing Joseph’s jealous brothers.
As always, Adam Jarrell steals the show as Pharaoh, re-invented as a hip-shaking, rock ‘n’ rolling Elvis.
It’s all been seen a thousand times before, of course, but the show’s irresistible mix of feel-good fun and colourful theatrics means no matter how many times it comes around, it’s always worth the ticket price. Go, go, go Joseph!
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The Orchard, Home Gardens, Dartford. Until March 19. For tickets, call 01322 220000 or visit orchardtheatre.co.uk