Joseph (Nottingham Operatic Society)
Probably the most recognisable of musicals the Book of Genesis set to music by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice seems to be an increasingly popular option these days outside of the regular touring productions. Staging tends to be relatively basic and therefore much relies on the innovative skills of Director and Choreographer, in this case that innovation is engaging and superbly entertaining and the skills of Dave Partridge in both roles are obvious and abundant.
Casting has led to the decision to share some of the lead roles, in particular Joseph and Narrator, we were privileged at the Saturday Matinee to experience Mark Coffey-Bainbridge and Louise Grantham two exceptional character actors and singers leading along the familiar story with some stunning vocals and stage presence.
Other roles that in standard productions may well be shared are played by individual actors, including Simon Theobald's expressive Jacob, Ian Pottage's exuberant, Groucho Marx characterised Potiphar, Dan Armstrong's gold lame clad, Presleyesque Pharoah, Joanne Lale's vivacious Mrs Potiphar, Joe Butler's animated Baker and James Ellison's stylish Butler.
One of the challenges is to find eleven males to play the brothers which can be difficult in the world of theatre which regularly struggles with finding enough men to fill even a small cast. It is therefore great to see that there was not only the required numbers to fill the roles of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin but, in an unorthodox yet enjoyable twist an equal number of females to partner each brother as a wife throughout the performance, allowing even greater and more expansive use of choreography for the musical numbers.
Add to this a substantial ensemble cast and a youth ensemble, in this case the Black Team and you have all the ingredients for a supremely entertaining show, it feels wrong not to mention a few particularly notable performances, those being Conor Larkin's teddy bear carrying Benjamin (fair to say that I suspect teddy has been building his part during the run), Sarah Millington leading with confidence many of the dance numbers and Shaun Hanrahan (Simeon), Ray McLeod (Judah), Joe Spoors (Gad) all picking-up excellent lead vocals in some of the classic numbers, 'Those Canaan Days', 'Benjamin Calypso' and 'One More Angel In Heaven' respectively.
Sadly the run of Joseph has now finished and that door (indeed chapter) has now closed but, I have no doubt you will want to see Nottingham Operatic Society perform 'The Sound Of Music' in 2019 and 'Guys and Dolls' in 2020, a couple of absolute classics.
Nottingham Operatic Society Web Site
Casting has led to the decision to share some of the lead roles, in particular Joseph and Narrator, we were privileged at the Saturday Matinee to experience Mark Coffey-Bainbridge and Louise Grantham two exceptional character actors and singers leading along the familiar story with some stunning vocals and stage presence.
Other roles that in standard productions may well be shared are played by individual actors, including Simon Theobald's expressive Jacob, Ian Pottage's exuberant, Groucho Marx characterised Potiphar, Dan Armstrong's gold lame clad, Presleyesque Pharoah, Joanne Lale's vivacious Mrs Potiphar, Joe Butler's animated Baker and James Ellison's stylish Butler.
One of the challenges is to find eleven males to play the brothers which can be difficult in the world of theatre which regularly struggles with finding enough men to fill even a small cast. It is therefore great to see that there was not only the required numbers to fill the roles of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin but, in an unorthodox yet enjoyable twist an equal number of females to partner each brother as a wife throughout the performance, allowing even greater and more expansive use of choreography for the musical numbers.
Add to this a substantial ensemble cast and a youth ensemble, in this case the Black Team and you have all the ingredients for a supremely entertaining show, it feels wrong not to mention a few particularly notable performances, those being Conor Larkin's teddy bear carrying Benjamin (fair to say that I suspect teddy has been building his part during the run), Sarah Millington leading with confidence many of the dance numbers and Shaun Hanrahan (Simeon), Ray McLeod (Judah), Joe Spoors (Gad) all picking-up excellent lead vocals in some of the classic numbers, 'Those Canaan Days', 'Benjamin Calypso' and 'One More Angel In Heaven' respectively.
Sadly the run of Joseph has now finished and that door (indeed chapter) has now closed but, I have no doubt you will want to see Nottingham Operatic Society perform 'The Sound Of Music' in 2019 and 'Guys and Dolls' in 2020, a couple of absolute classics.
Nottingham Operatic Society Web Site
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