Joseph (Kidderminster Operatic & Dramatic Society Youth Section)

You're setting yourself up for a big challenge by taking on one of the classics of musical theatre in the form of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' and KODS Youth Section give it there own exciting interpretation, enjoyed immensely by an enthusiastic opening night audience.

Opening with a trio of Narrators consisting of powerful vocals from Lauren L'Enfant contrasting with the more lilting tones of Hope Dickenson and Alice Hickey, I was concerned that the split role wouldn't work but, they proved me wrong and interlinked together exceptionally to tell this story that surely everybody has experienced at some point (if they haven't they can't be a musical theatre fan).

Oscar Yeoh grew into the role of Joseph, I detected a few nerves in the opening number but, these were soon eliminated to reveal a commanding portrayal of an iconic character including a winning rendition of 'Close Every Door'.

Joseph of course has eleven brothers (although in this production that has been amended slightly to twelve) and each one brings their own piece of joy and energy to the piece, always hard to pinpoint specific performances but, I found Charlie Dancyger as Reuben and his performance of 'Those Caanan Days' along with the ever smiling Maria Riga as Zebulun performing 'Benjamin Calypso' to be particularly well portrayed. It feels only fair however to give a mention to Toby Denton (Simeon), Myles Richards (Dan), Georgia Hyde (Levi), Jamie Whitehouse (Napthali), Larna Richards (Asher), Paige Dicken (Gad), Summer Pitman (Benjamin), Finley Stanier (Judah), Chris Kemp (Issachar) and Billy Brooks (Isiah) for their contribution to the whole production.

I will dwell only shortly on Julian Richards's performance as Jacob, come on mate if you are between nine and eighteen I will audition next year, however having an adult in this role is a really good choice and you played it well.

If you're going to tell stories, you need characters in those stories including a dominant performance as Potiphar by Josh Hickey, an all too short and even more domineering portrayal of Mrs Potiphar by Shannon Drew, a vibrant appearance as the Baker by Danny Duffy and a particularly appealing with a quiet yet very proficient vocal, outing from Roxie Jordan as the Butler.

Finally what can I say about Harrison Bianco as Pharoah, this lad has personality in bucketloads and it's like a little Elvis on stage (and that comes from somebody who is an official paid-up member of the Elvis Presley Fan Club).

Darren Richards as Director can feel this is a 'job well done' that will entertain young and old, ably assisted by Musical Director, Russell Painter and Choreographers, Elaine Tovey/Wendy Richards, you will have missed something that you will thoroughly regret missing if you don't catch this one. So don't miss it, go, go, go, to the link below and book your tickets now.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Musical Fable of Stourbridge

The name is Brannigan, Lieutenant Brannigan to you, 14th Precinct New York, I was on a stake-out at a place they call the Town Hall, I've heard of City Hall but, this was something different, joints within a joint, just a front for illegal activity in my book. Infiltrated myself into their seedy back room haunt, it was men only and obviously gambling makes you forgetful, if it wasn't their shoes, it was their shirt, one couldn't even remember my name but, that works in my favour while I am gathering evidence. What a bunch of low lives, hiding behind a Mission (I kept hearing 'Sally Army', I think the Brits have invaded but, its a bit early for The Beatles) fronted-up by 'The Sergeant' Sarah Brown, she's a looker with a voice that could shatter crystal but, I knew she had a weak point, trip to Havana, couple of Bacardi's and she forgets which side of the law she is on, some broads are an easy target. Then there's the old guy, Abernathy, always sin...
Read more

Sweet Charity (Queensbridge Musical Theatre Society)

Considering the major names like Cy Coleman, Bob Fosse and Neil Simon that are all connected to the various incarnations of the story of the 'girl who just wanted to be loved' its popularity for performance hasn't been widespread recently, perhaps due to the fact that the performances of Shirley MacLaine and Sammy Davis Jr in the 1969 Movie are so iconic but, Queensbridge MTS have decided to pick up the gauntlet and bring what is a very 60s vibe into the 2000s. What makes this production a hit from beginning is an effervescent performance by Sarah Odom as Charity Hope Valentine, giving Miss MacLaine a run for her money and with an engaging personality that just exudes 'likeable' and has the audience on her side from the first note played by Stephen Greenway's orchestra. Equally 'likeable' but, in a more reserved and endearing way is Sam Troke as Oscar Lindquist, he who coins the phrase 'Sweet Charity' and almost makes her dreams come true, on...
Read more

Cats (Vic's School of Musical Theatre)

Well I have seen a few musical productions in my time and have been inspired to write some elaborate and auspicious words by many but, I am a little concerned that I might not have all the right observations to do justice to what can only be described as a truly breathtaking production of 'Cats' by Vic's School of Musical Theatre (the Vic in question being Vicky Addis, somebody who whilst being blessed with some talented youngsters to theatrically mould, obviously knows how to turn potential into reality on stage). Just to fill the gap if you haven't had the 'Cats' experience yet, basically poems by T.S. Eliot set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, a theatre filler since the 1980s and will undoubtedly fill the Parish Rooms at Blakedown in this case, for its sadly all too short run. So, where do I start with a plethora of engaging and characterful performances, perhaps with the captivating portrayal of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser by Kate Downes and Molly Cooper, a...
Read more