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The musical about Joseph was the first project of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice in 1968 at the request of the music master at Andrew's brother's school. They then went on to write the rock opera Jesus Chrst superstar in the same period as Monty Pythons' 'Life of Brian'. At the time these were popular send-ups of the Bible stories - only 'Life of Brian' was rather less romanticised and it made many religious bodies angry. Not so the immediate and massive hits of Lloyd Webber and Rice. Because Joseph's story was written for children with many parts for boys and girls it became a household name as it established itself as a success in thousands of schools world wide.
Featuring natty rhymes in common language and a lighthearted almost irreverent approach - combined with a great score that children loved singing, Joseph's story has been revived again and again in the West End and has always done extremely well. The latest one has children prominently featured also.
The Story
It's about success through hardship. Joseph was talented besides being clairvoyant. He was trusted to be head of his family by his father - over his older brothers. He understood dreams and shared a dream with his brothers that he interpreted as rising to an exalted position whereby his family would bow before him. His enraged and jealous brothers sold him into slavery.
He so impressed his slave master Potiphar that he promoted him to head of the household. Alas Potiphar's wife- also impressed, repeatedly tried to seduce him. Such was Joseph's integrity that he refused her and as we know - hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. She lied to her husband declaring attempted rape and so he was incarcerated in prison where he impressed the wardens so much he became top trusty.
Joseph interpreted the dreams of fellow prisoners accurately. When the pharaoh needed some persistent dreams interpreted, an ex prisoner - a servant of the pharaoh remembered Joseph who was called to interpret the dream. He pleased the pharaoh greatly and once again he rose to prominence in the household - from slave to the pharaoh's right hand man.
Even hardened critics reviewing the nth revival love this sing-along show.
The Cast
• Joseph - Lee Mead (understudies James Bisp / Ricky Rojas)
• Narrator - Jenna Lee-James • Pharaoh - Dean Collinson • Jacob/Potiphar/Guru - Stephen Tate • Reuben - John Alistair • Reuben's wife - Emma Harris • Simeon - Mark Oxtoby • Simeon's wife - Sarah Meade • Levi - Ricky Rojas • Levi's wife - Jennifer Ashton • Napthali - Nathaniel Morrison • Napthali's Wife/Mrs Potiphar - Charlene Ford • Issachar/Baker - Adam Pierce • Issacher's Wife - Emily Mascarenhas • Asher - Derek Andrews • Asher's Wife - Fiona Reyes • Dan - Michael Quinn • Dan's Wife - Zoe Smith • Zebulun/Apache Dancer - Craig Scott • Zebulun's Wife/Apache Dancer - Louise Madison / Sophia Hurdley • Gad/Butler - Russell Walker • Frankie Sibthorp • Benjamin - Tom Gillies • Benjamin's Wife - Danielle Young • Judah - Neal Wright • Judah's Wife - Tamlyn Platts
(Lee Mead, the BBC winner of 'Any dream Will do' - is on holiday weeks starting 28 July, 3 Nov).
| ©Covent-Garden.co.uk 2008 | Updated 10th July 2008 |