For what started as a 15 minute piece for a school musical in 1968, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice’s biblical based extravaganza must be one of the most performed and popular musicals over the last forty years, being staged by schools through to Broadway and West End productions and even as a video starring Donny Osmond, with undoubted success wherever it’s gone.

Producer Bill Kenwright ‘version’ has been a popular touring show forever, and Lloyd-Webber’s Really Useful Group hi-tec production, featuring Jason Donovan and Philip Schofield amongst others, spawned a number one album and single with Donovan’s ‘Any Dream will Do’.

The BBC’s search for ‘The People’s Joseph’ back in 2007 via the programme ‘Any Dream Will Do’ saw a wide scale exposure to mainstream telly audiences each Saturday night for a number of weeks and they selected Lee Mead for the role, however the judging panel included Bill Kenwright, who seemed to use the programme as an audition process and he selected Edinburgh’s Craig Chalmers to star in his touring production, and another Scot from the process, Keith Jack has played the role as well on numerous occasions.

The Joseph bandwagon, again fronted by Craig Chalmers, rolled into Dunfermline this week for an intensive 12 performances in 6 days and set up camp in the spectacular Alhambra Theatre for the duration. 

Opening night saw the theatre packed to the gunwales, full of eager theatre goers, from pre-school kids to great-grannies and all points in between such is the wide appeal of this piece and judging from the unanimous standing ovation at the end they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The storyline is taken from the book of Genesis, so is well known to most, the songs are simple and catchy and thanks to TV, Radio and CD exposure, not to mention thousands of live performances well known to most, hence at times it was almost a sing-a-long on Monday night.

Although the piece is over forty years old it isn’t in anyway dated, the original appeal of Tim Rice’s witty lyrics coupled with Lloyd-Webber’s infectious tunes always seem fresh and with slightly different arrangements in this production, give an updated feel to many of the favourites.

Craig Chalmers in the title role is an excellent example of how genuine talent can be unearthed from ‘reality’ shows. He fulfils the requirements the role demands, stage presence, toned body, pleasing looks and a good singing voice and leads a young and talented cast throughout. The female lead role of The Narrator is performed with consummate ease by Trina Hill and her lovely voice was a pleasure to behold.

But ‘Joseph’ is really an ensemble piece, and boy do these guys and gals work for their money!! All eleven brothers, three hand maidens, Jacob, Pharaoh, et al are portrayed seamlessly and at pace, mix  together with suitably multi-colour and numerous costumes, slick choreography and a versatile set make this a thoroughly enjoyable way of spending a couple of hours in the theatre.

With twelve performances in a week, it has been necessary to use three children’s choirs, all drawn from Edinburgh’s prestigious  Mary Erskine and Stewart’s Melville Junior School, and these talented youngsters play a full part in the proceedings, helping to make it the success it undoubtedly is.

Craig Chalmers

Joseph

Trina Hill

Narrator

Henry Metcalfe

Jacob/Potiphar 

Lachlan Scheuber 

Pharaoh

Kevin Grogan

Benjamin

Rochelle Neil

Mrs Potiphar

Billy Walker

Butler

Richard J Hunt

Baker

Daniel Jacob

Issacher

Oliver Savile

Simeon

Scott Iain Watson

Zebulun

Chris Stoddart

Dan

Lachlan Scheuber

Levi 

Jeremy Cave

Gad

Stephen Kirwan

Asher

Richard J Hunt

Judah

Will Tyler

Reuben

Rochelle Neil

Handmaiden

Felicity Chilver

Handmaiden

Holly Adams

Handmaiden

Michael Ward

Swing

Joseph is always on tour, so checkout the Bill Kenwright website www.kenwright.com for details and for all that is best in Fife entertainment www.alhambradunfermline.com for their future shows.

With a punishing 12 show commitment it is not surprising Craig gets a rest and his first cover Stephen Kirwan gets the opportunity to step in to his Dreamcoat. Normally brother Asher, Stephen is getting to be seen by the Dunfermline audiences at two matinees the second being the early show on Saturday 22^nd May. Stephen’s interpretation of the character is different from that of Craig’s, and his vocals as good. For those disappointed not to see Craig I understand your feelings but assure you the show is superb no matter who is being amazing on the day the technicolor dream is a coat to suit anybody! 

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline Fife Monday 17th to Saturday 22nd May 2010.