By Anita Jaynes
On Tuesday May 19, I ventured to Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre for the opening night of Bill Kenwright’s record-breaking production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
The production includes X Factor finalists Lloyd Daniels from the 2009 series and Amelia Lily who finished third in the 2011 show.
As an 80s child I excitedly remember taking my seat to see Jason Donovan star in the lead of the production in 1991, which really put the musical in the spotlight.
The new all singing-all dancing production visiting Swindon doesn’t fail to deliver the feel-good atmosphere of the original and the star-studded cast definitely hit the high notes too. Lloyd Daniels plays the lead role of Joseph and Amelia Lily has the important part of narrator.  Former Eastenders actor Matt Lapinskas joins them as the Elvis inspired Pharaoh and Henry Metcalfe doubles up as Jacob (Joseph’s father) and Potiphar.
The musical tells the story of Joseph, the 12th son of Jacob, who is sold as a slave by his brothers to the Ishmalites who take him to Egypt where he is bought by millionaire Potiphar. It’s in Potiphar’s care that the story transpires and Joseph’s talent for reading people’s dreams and seeing into the future unveils.
Joseph is known for its impressive stage show. This adaptation certainly doesn’t let the side down, with the clever use of a smaller theatre. Humour is injected when inflatable sheep come to the stage and a Harley Davison inspired bike is used as Joseph’s golden throne.
There are some energetic dance routines from Joseph’s brothers that keep the feel-good mood of the show moving and it is the clarity of the actor’s vocals that really impresses. Lloyd Daniels delivers vocals with real clarity and depth of tone and Amelia Lily’s voice is sweet and crisp making her perfect for the storytelling role. The only thing I would have changed for Amelia Lily was her very unflattering jumpsuit, I was hoping for a costume change (for her sake not mine), but sadly she stuck with the damn thing throughout.
However, it was the finale that really did it for me wwwith re-mixes of the musical’s hits re-mastered into high-paced versions echoing the style of the decades rave music. All in all a great show and one to leave you walking out of the theatre with a spring in your step.