A musical playing at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre
Go Go Go Joseph
I remember colouring in Joseph’s grand coat in Sunday School when I was five but that’s about all I remember of Joseph. Thus it was wonderful to have the story come to light so many years later. And what a story. It’s the classic betrayal, suffering, and forgiveness story. Taken from the Bible’s book of Genesis, the tale follows Joseph who is given a coat of many colours by his father and then sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Joseph who has the gift of interpreting dreams spends time in jail before becoming Pharaoh’s right-hand man.
Andrew Lloyd Webber creates an engaging musical which features vastly different types of music from country and western, calypso to pop, the French Can Can, and Elvis-style rock and roll.
A favourite was Trevor Astley as Pharaoh. The costumes, the choreography, and the set that lit up the stage like an Egyptian poker machine were worthy of any Vegas stage as Trevor Astley swivelled his hips while Cleopatra-styled dancers do-wopped around him.
Euan Fistrovic Doidge plays Joseph. His credentials include playing Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever, Felicia in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and Marius in Les Misérables. The last musical I saw imported its two stars who gave average performances so it was uplifting to see two Australians in the main roles who were incredible. Euan offers us strong vocals and acting which creates a strong empathy with the audience. He is joined by Australian idol graduate, Paulini who plays the Narrator. Her musical accolades include The Bodyguard Musical, Saturday Night Fever, and the 50th Anniversary of Hair the Musical.
Paulini has excellent vocals and gives the show her best moving between being a Narrator, Joseph’s father, and other characters, as well as taking charge of the tribe of children.
All the actors were faultless as was their singing. The musical was filled with variety and lots of sparkle and razzle-dazzle. The costumes were fun with plenty of colour and verve. It’s a musical that has stayed with me because of the strong underlying message. Something that is particularly apt in today’s world. Forgiveness is important but so is not giving up no matter whether you’ve been made a slave or put in jail because you just might become Pharoah’s offsider.
The sets were simple but apt and brought to life by the singing, dancing and all the performers. The creative team to be congratulated includes Morgan Large (set and costume designer), Ben Cracknell (lighting designer), Gareth Owen (sound designer), and Richard Mawbey (hair, wigs, and makeup design).
Celebrating its 55th anniversary, it is easy for Joseph to become stale but this production has new life breathed into it ensuring that all ages in the audience were mesmerised by the production. This colourful spectacle entertains with energy, tight choreography, and soaring vocals.
Capitol theatre until April 16, 2023. https://josephthemusical.com.au/
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