Headlines
Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat
Joseph - A Dream Production
4th December 2011
The Upstage Production Company and Hereford Sixth Form College burst back on to the stage with their new musical production of Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat at the end of November for a run of sell-out performances. The College performance event of the year brought together 52 all-singing, all-dancing students, a band of 11 and a crew and front-of-house team of 25, drawn from all areas of the college. The Performing Arts Centre was magically transported to Ancient Israel, Egypt and briefly Paris, with sphinxes, camels and a Vegas-style Elvis gracing the stage.
As always, Upstage production are ensemble events, and a chorus of 40 held the show together, causing the audience to wonder again, how do they get that many people on that stage? Ed Deacon lead from the front as Joseph - brilliantly supported by Beth Williams and Sarah Pledge in the dual role of narrators, and scene-stealing turns from Felix Fletcher Gilhuys as Pharaoh and Doug Watts as Jacob.
The classic numbers from the show were brought to life by Peter Fletcher’s amazing band, with Song of the King, Jacob and Sons and Any Dream Will Do gaining an audience sing-along. The costumes dazzled, the set was epic in size and the whole cast sang their hearts out as Joseph was finally reunited with his father, Jacob and his eleven brothers.
Once again Upstage packed out the PAC with a thrilled audience, and a schools’ matinée introduced the show and the College to a new audience. Perhaps there has never been so much theatrical talent in the College? Mat Walters, the show’s director, praised the dedication of all those students involved, saying “It’s always excellent to see so many students getting involved, it’s brilliant for the College in general, but also, to have so many students who don’t take Performing Arts subjects to be playing major roles in the College musical event is really great. The experience of just being involved in something as big and important as this in the College Calendar really can’t be underestimated. They have all done an amazing job.”
Don't forget to check out the photo album for this event.