Last night, I watched Joseph And Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat At The Opera House Manchester. Now, this is a show that has been part of my life since I was around 8 years old. Yet I have never seen it! Why? Because whenever the opportunity arises, there is a reason I can’t go.
The reason it’s such a big part of my life is because I sang the main songs in the school choir at the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch; it was a massive deal at 8. I still know every word. So I was soooo excited to see it.
What You Will Find Here
What Is Joseph And Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat About
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics), first performed in 1968 and later expanded into a full-length production. The musical made its West End debut in 1973, marking the beginning of its enduring success on stage.
Based on the biblical story from the Book of Genesis, it follows Joseph, the favourite son of Jacob, who is gifted a multicoloured coat. His jealous brothers sell him into slavery, but through his ability to interpret dreams, he rises to power in Egypt and ultimately reunites with his family.
The musical is known for its energetic storytelling, humour, and diverse musical styles, including rock (“Song of the King”), ballads (“Close Every Door”), and pop (“Go, Go, Go, Joseph”). With no spoken dialogue, the show is sung-through and remains a favourite for schools, theatres, and professional productions. Since its debut, it has been performed worldwide, with notable actors like Donny Osmond and Jason Donovan playing Joseph.
My Review of Joseph And Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
So, although I know almost every song by heart, I had no idea what the production was like! As it started, I wasn’t expecting it to have a school play feel. Of course, I now know that is exactly where Joseph originated.
As the show progressed, I watched all my much-loved tracks play out before me. Joseph was nothing like I imagined. It’s bonkers; I have never taken acid and never would, but I imagine if you read the bible under the influence, this would be the result. It’s glorious, colourful and joyfully crazy.
Joseph maintains an old-school charm as the different scenes unfold in Western, Vegas, and French styles, blending traditional elements like tap dancing with humour. You can’t help but smile; it’s like a warm hug, bursting with colour, vibrancy, and joy. A true testament to its enduring appeal, the show has stood the test of time since its West End debut in 1973.
Christina Bianco is an incredible narrator and brought the story to life with humour and warmth. and played perfectly alongside Adam Filipe (Joseph) and Joe McElderry (Pharaoh). The whole cast is a joy to watch, with so much humour and talent, and the children are incredible. This is wonderful show for all the family.
Where Can I See It?
You can see Joseph at the Opera House Manchester until Sun 9 Mar 2025 with tickets from £15.00, then at…..
- Bristol Hippodrome, Wed 12 Mar – Sat 22 Mar 2025
- New Victoria Theatre, Woking, Tue 3 Jun – Sat 7 Jun 2025
- Liverpool Empire, Tue 15 Jul – Sun 20 Jul 2025
- Milton Keynes Theatre, Wed 6 Aug – Sun 10 Aug 2025
- New Wimbledon Theatre, Tue 1 Apr – Sat 5 Apr 2025
- King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 30 Jul – Sun 3 Aug 2025
Disclaimer: I was gifted the tickets for review purposes. However, all opinions are my own. Check out where to park near the Opera House.
