Joseph (Stafford Gatehouse Youth Summer School)
Have to admit to some trepidation in writing a review for a youth production, one has to take a slightly different approach to have an appropriate positive impact or risk the chance of putting a whole host of young talent off performing for life.
That being the case as the lights dimmed the arrival of not one but, three Narrators heightened my concern a little, as one thing I find a little off putting is a crowded stage as it tends to make it difficult to focus on the story and the action. Youth productions are a bit of an exception as there is a want to give as many as possible the thrill of the stage and I get that, it then falls to the director to make sure that it doesn't look too packed and John Ward seems to have this off to a fine art, I couldn't fault how the stage was used to accommodate an extensive supporting cast.
Millie Fuller, Cassie Curno and Freya Perry interlinked seamlessly as the Narrators only occasionally did I lose a few words and this was more down to the power of the orchestra than anything.
If you're going to do Joseph much depends on the casting of the lead role around which hangs the whole plot and who must deliver the story effectively. Charlie Bishop is definitely that man, charm, looks and an inherent ability to quickly interact with his co-cast of all ages and sizes puts the audience at ease and increases the enjoyment level immensely.
Unusually for many youth productions there was a much more balanced boy/girl cast split when regularly there is a massive female presence with quite often a mere handful of males, I can only assume that theatre is far more popular with boys in Stafford than many other places which is great to see.
I couldn't finish without a mention for Mackenzie Tyler-Reynolds as Potiphar, inspired casting and a cameo performance to rival many of an older and more experienced generation.
There is no doubt this production works on every level, the time and effort put in by all concerned is obvious and should be seen by as many as can possibly do so before it closes after an only too short run.
Stafford Gatehouse Web Site
That being the case as the lights dimmed the arrival of not one but, three Narrators heightened my concern a little, as one thing I find a little off putting is a crowded stage as it tends to make it difficult to focus on the story and the action. Youth productions are a bit of an exception as there is a want to give as many as possible the thrill of the stage and I get that, it then falls to the director to make sure that it doesn't look too packed and John Ward seems to have this off to a fine art, I couldn't fault how the stage was used to accommodate an extensive supporting cast.
Millie Fuller, Cassie Curno and Freya Perry interlinked seamlessly as the Narrators only occasionally did I lose a few words and this was more down to the power of the orchestra than anything.
If you're going to do Joseph much depends on the casting of the lead role around which hangs the whole plot and who must deliver the story effectively. Charlie Bishop is definitely that man, charm, looks and an inherent ability to quickly interact with his co-cast of all ages and sizes puts the audience at ease and increases the enjoyment level immensely.
Unusually for many youth productions there was a much more balanced boy/girl cast split when regularly there is a massive female presence with quite often a mere handful of males, I can only assume that theatre is far more popular with boys in Stafford than many other places which is great to see.
I couldn't finish without a mention for Mackenzie Tyler-Reynolds as Potiphar, inspired casting and a cameo performance to rival many of an older and more experienced generation.
There is no doubt this production works on every level, the time and effort put in by all concerned is obvious and should be seen by as many as can possibly do so before it closes after an only too short run.
Stafford Gatehouse Web Site
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