As the songs from Joseph and the pop group Steps are both guilty pleasures of mine, I was positively brimming with expectation as the performance drew nearer. You can imagine the disappointment therefore, when I discovered that H from Steps wouldn't be donning the technicolor dreamcoat on the show's opening night in Norwich, due to illness. Stepping (forgive me) into the breach was Wisbech-born Richard Meek.
 | | Richard Meek |
Showing the ladies he had the figure for a loincloth, this charismatic actor sung with a rich voice that soared easily through the familiar score to deliver an accomplished and enjoyable performance. Whether you know all the songs by heart, remember them from a school or if hearing them for the first time, you definitely won't be disappointed. Cracking pace The story of Jacob and his 12 sons moves quickly and the songs come thick and fast. Joseph quickly transforms from proud owner of multi-coloured coat, to slave, to prisoner to chief Egyptian dream interpreter and then to Pharaoh’s right-hand man. There's a strong performance by Hannah Grover who knits it all together as the narrator. Marlon Moore as the Elvis loving Pharaoh, makes Egypt rock as he tells Joseph about the seven fat and seven skinny cows in his dreams. There's a singing camel, plenty of joie de vivre, and look out for Joseph's chariot of gold - it might not be what you're expecting! Despite H's absence, there were still plenty of steps on the stage, across which the cast gave a high energy performance. Dancing in the aisles There are plenty of laughs, special effects and lots of chances for a sing-a-long at the end when a medley of the show's most popular numbers are reprised, and reprised. By the end of the night, we were literally dancing in the aisles, everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy it and you'll 'go go go' home with all the songs ringing in your ears. Now which colour came first? Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs at the Norwich Theatre Royal until Saturday, 28 October, 2006. More details on 01603 630000. | 
