A quirky take on a classic _{by Madelaine Empson}

‘Tis the season for fun, family, and… why, fantasies of fratricide, of course!

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s first, uber famous musical – written in 1968 when they were just teenagers and still performed widely around the world today – will have its amazing day in the technicolour sun at Gryphon Theatre from the 17^th to the 20^th of December. Have you guessed yet?

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat follows Joseph, whose dad Jacob gives him a wonderful, colourful coat. Jealous, his 11 brothers plot to get rid of him. But as with all good musicals, things don’t quite go to plan, and Joseph instead winds up on a big journey that ends in fame, fortune, and, eventually, forgiveness.

Bringing a quirky new feel to this musical classic is director Micky Delahunty, who describes the experience as warm and light-hearted, with catchy tunes and lots of laughs. The energy and enjoyment of the young performers, aged mostly between 18 and 23 years, brings, perhaps, “a much-needed moment of escape from the world of today”, Delahunty says.

The award-winning creative has written extensively for young people over many years, while musical director Justin Pearce has worked with predominantly young performers for the past 15 years. They are known for original small-cast takes on some of the classics, and with an onstage cast of just eight performers and a live band of five, 1^st Gear Productions’ Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be funny and fast. Go, Go, Go Joseph!