Review: Joe McElderry Dazzles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Sunderland Empire
Swapping his technicolor dreamcoat for the Pharaoh's nemes, Joe McElderry is back where he belongs, on stage, in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Following in the footsteps of previous Josephs, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond, Joe McElderry returns to this show as Pharaoh (direct from a long run in pantoland AKA Newcastle), and the audience are on the edge of their seats for his arrival in act two.
The theatre (which is lighting up the city in an array of colours) is buzzing with excitement when we take our seats for act one and when the show begins, feet are tapping within minutes as Joseph, the wonderful Adam Filipe in this production, performs Any Dream Will Do. Adam really shines in his powerful performance of Close Every Door later in the show.
The set changes seamlessly and the younger members of the cast don’t miss a beat in this faultless production of the much-loved musical. Constant changes to the set and energetic dance routines mean it’s difficult to know where to look at times and the audience laugh out loud at Jacob’s charismatic sons. The glue that holds all this together is Christina Bianco – a fantastic narrator who expertly weaves herself in and out of the story. At the end of act one, the Pharaoh is mentioned and audience members begin nudging one another anticipating what, and more importantly who, is coming.
Joe McElderry played the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat during the 2017/2018 UK tour but he throws everything he has into his new role, proving his love for this musical. Our favourite element is that the soundtrack is inspired by so many genres and songs. One More Angel in Heaven brings the country-western vibes, Those Canaan Days is a hilarious take on a French ballad, and the Benjamin Calypso… well the clue's in the name. Joe uses his voice brilliantly to show off his vocal ability with just the right amount of Elvis inspiration for Song of the King. We can’t count the amount of applauses he gets during the breaks in his performance as he commands the stage and makes the most of every second. He knows the audience have been waiting for him, and as always, he doesn’t disappoint.
In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment between Joe and Adam, as the cast take their bows, Joe steps back to allow Adam to take in our applause, almost as if he’s passing the baton on for a new era of Josephs. What follows is a megamix of all our favourite songs, forcing every member of the audience onto their feet.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat never fails to impress, but this production really is a special one.
