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Post by danb on Sept 11, 2022 15:09:16 GMT
Thanks that’s ace! I looked at trains and they all seemed to be a pain, lots of changes etc so I’ve decided to drive. I also decided to book for the evening as well as the matinee! Never done the double before! I’ve booked a hotel in Clevedon which is about half an hour out. Looks lovely by the sea, so I’m going to drive down crack of Dawn Saturday morning, check in, drive into Bristol and do the 2 shows then the. Next day beach, quick look at Bristol and meander back up north! Never been to Bristol before so looking forward to it How did you get on Roxie?
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Post by macksennett on Sept 12, 2022 18:54:31 GMT
I was there and Linzi & company were on top form. What a talent she is, I’m so glad she got to reprise the Narrator again. Jac gave a heartfelt speech at the end before the mega mix, and Linzi said she almost didn’t do the tour as it was 8 shows a week (rather than occasional shows like at the Palladium), but she was glad she did. The audience was very responsive & the atmosphere electric! A fabulous night!
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Post by Roxie on Sept 12, 2022 23:59:54 GMT
Thanks that’s ace! I looked at trains and they all seemed to be a pain, lots of changes etc so I’ve decided to drive. I also decided to book for the evening as well as the matinee! Never done the double before! I’ve booked a hotel in Clevedon which is about half an hour out. Looks lovely by the sea, so I’m going to drive down crack of Dawn Saturday morning, check in, drive into Bristol and do the 2 shows then the. Next day beach, quick look at Bristol and meander back up north! Never been to Bristol before so looking forward to it How did you get on Roxie? It was absolutely fantastic! I got to Bristol about noon and messaged Linzi and she kindly came to speak to me at stage door. Had a wander around and some lunch then the matinee. I was a bit bemused by the show stop just before the interval. I’d never experienced a show stop before and it made me chuckle that it was 5 mins of pause, then show restarted for 2 mins then the interval! Between shows I had another walk round around the quay and then a lovely dinner, nip back to my car to change shoes, bag and make up (day to night style!) then show two! Jac and Linzi made a short speech at the end, it was lovely and a little bit emotional. It’s been absolutely a dream come true to finally see Linzi Hateley as the narrator after 30 years of thinking the only way I would ever have seen it was by inventing time travel! She’s an absolute powerhouse and I think she’s going to enjoy a well deserved rest! I also enjoyed chilling in Clevedon the next day but I left at 11 to go to some massive country fair in Gloucestershire where I met a few friends. All in all, a cracking weekend!
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Post by sispace on Sept 16, 2022 20:23:28 GMT
I finally got to see this production of Joseph earlier in the week during it's stop at Milton Keynes. Joseph has been a part of my life since I can remember having grown up listening to the Jason Donovan cast album. First time I saw it, it was Phillip Schofield in Birmingham back in the 90's and since then have been to almost every local tour since, so very familiar with the Kenwright production and it's mix of good and terrible Josephs along the way.
After having read comments on here and elsewhere and seeing a few odd video clips, I was well aware this would be a different production to what I was used to, and was prepared to be disappointed by some of the changes, but also going in with an open mind to accept something different. Before getting into the show itself, it was disappointing to find upon arrival, that for the Wednesday matinee, the part of the narrator wasn't going to be Alexandra Burke, who I'd been looking forward to seeing. I'd read she hadn't done the Monday evening performance either, but had done Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening (press night), so it feels a bit annoying and short changed as a result. It must have been planned, so it would have been nice to have known in advance before booking tickets that Alexandra wouldn't be appearing at certain performances. Instead the narrator was Megan Darcy who is usually one of the wives. If I'd shut my eyes, I'd have thought it was Sheridan Smith as her accent sounded very similar. She was ok, but not as vocally strong as narrators I've seen in previous productions.
This version is certainly colourful, but ultimately it is a weaker and poorer production overall. If this was the first time I'd seen the show, I don't think I would bother again. The biggest issues I have are mostly what's been already mentioned, the use of kids in adult roles (especially when some were singing off-key), the empty staging, and the slowing down of some numbers. It all makes it feel a bit of an odd production, and at times it felt like it was all a bit am-dram (and in fact some am-dram shows I've seen are better than West End productions!). The worst mistake of all is having the narrator play Jacob. Because that happens the show loses it's emotion and heart, especially at the moments when the brothers tell Jacob that Joseph is dead and the reunion between Jacob and Joseph at the end.
The second half felt a bit rushed towards the end, particularly around Who's The Thief/Benjamin Calypso as there's no pause between the songs for the audience to clap. I remember in past productions Joseph would wander over grab the cup and slam it down on the stage. In the Kenwright tour, particular in recent years, there were lots more additional 'filler' bits to pad the show out which have more or less all been cut for this version along with the recent new song 'King of My Heart'. Usually the ending is spectacular with the arrival of the golden chariot, and 'Give me my coloured coat' typically featuring a much larger and longer coat but is reduced to almost nothing here apart from a few streamers let off at the end of the megamix.
The bits I did like however was the new coat, some of the new arrangements of the songs were ok in particular Benjamin Calypso, and I thought the opening was effective with the lighting for Joseph's first appearance. I'd almost like to see a future hybrid version mostly using elements of the Kenwright tour (with refreshed staging) but with a few bits and pieces taken from this production of the show.
I went with my disabled mum to see the show, and having arrived at Milton Keynes theatre with not much time to spare due to being stuck in traffic on the way there, I went to the merchandise stand at the interval to quickly get a programme and was assured by the person serving that it would be open after the show as there wasn't time to see all the items available properly before having to return to the seats for the second half of the show.
At the end of the show, I'd decided I wanted to purchase one of the t-shirts I'd seen on display. It'd taken a few minutes to get out of the theatre because of the crowds and having to get mum into her wheelchair and into the lifts from the circle. As we approached the counter, we saw a man smile at us and walk away, we waited a few minutes and no one seemed to be returning. It was only 4:50pm and the show had only been finished 10 minutes after starting a few minutes late. An usher then came over and said that the merchandise stand had closed. I explained the situation and was told there was nothing they could do and I'd have to return another time if I wanted anything. I explained that wasn't possible as we didn't live in Milton Keynes, but again was told there wasn't anything they could do, and that the theatre was now closed between performances for banking and cleaning so we needed to leave. I have since raised a complaint with Milton Keynes theatre, because after having another incident earlier the year where an usher was rude and unhelpful, it feels a bit like disabled customers are unwanted. It'll be interesting to see what response I get.
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Post by anthem on Sept 16, 2022 21:53:16 GMT
After having read comments on here and elsewhere and seeing a few odd video clips, I was well aware this would be a different production to what I was used to, and was prepared to be disappointed by some of the changes, but also going in with an open mind to accept something different. Before getting into the show itself, it was disappointing to find upon arrival, that for the Wednesday matinee, the part of the narrator wasn't going to be Alexandra Burke, who I'd been looking forward to seeing. I'd read she hadn't done the Monday evening performance either, but had done Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening (press night), so it feels a bit annoying and short changed as a result. It must have been planned, so it would have been nice to have known in advance before booking tickets that Alexandra wouldn't be appearing at certain performances. Instead the narrator was Megan Darcy who is usually one of the wives. If I'd shut my eyes, I'd have thought it was Sheridan Smith as her accent sounded very similar. She was ok, but not as vocally strong as narrators I've seen in previous productions. Just fyi, Alexandra wasn't on Tuesday either, her first show in MK was the Wednesday evening performance. These are her first performances since she gave birth so perhaps she needed some more time with baby or to prep for the show. Sorry to hear of your experience with the merch stand, they should be more accommodating in that kind of circumstance.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Sept 16, 2022 23:18:07 GMT
If anyone will be in Toronto From December and to plans to see this production there, LH is going to be the Narrator
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Post by LaLuPone on Sept 16, 2022 23:34:24 GMT
If anyone will be in Toronto From December and to plans to see this production there, LH is going to be the Narrator Where has that been announced?
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Sept 17, 2022 0:03:25 GMT
Where has that been announced? It Will be soon. Jac is also going I believe. Toronto wanted a famous Canadian for Pharaoh, but they were too cheap to pay for the name and the extra rehearsals.
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Post by carmella1 on Sept 17, 2022 0:08:18 GMT
Where has that been announced? It Will be soon. Jac is also going I believe. Toronto wanted a famous Canadian for Pharaoh, but they were too cheap to pay for the name and the extra rehearsals. Ramin may be available. Not sure how long he is contracted for Funny Girl.
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Post by inthenose on Sept 17, 2022 7:08:33 GMT
It Will be soon. Jac is also going I believe. Toronto wanted a famous Canadian for Pharaoh, but they were too cheap to pay for the name and the extra rehearsals. Ramin may be available. Not sure how long he is contracted for Funny Girl. Is Ramin famous? I like Ramin but I read bobbie’s post more as stunt casting. It’s going to have to be Bieber isn’t it?
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Post by sispace on Sept 17, 2022 8:54:41 GMT
After having read comments on here and elsewhere and seeing a few odd video clips, I was well aware this would be a different production to what I was used to, and was prepared to be disappointed by some of the changes, but also going in with an open mind to accept something different. Before getting into the show itself, it was disappointing to find upon arrival, that for the Wednesday matinee, the part of the narrator wasn't going to be Alexandra Burke, who I'd been looking forward to seeing. I'd read she hadn't done the Monday evening performance either, but had done Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening (press night), so it feels a bit annoying and short changed as a result. It must have been planned, so it would have been nice to have known in advance before booking tickets that Alexandra wouldn't be appearing at certain performances. Instead the narrator was Megan Darcy who is usually one of the wives. If I'd shut my eyes, I'd have thought it was Sheridan Smith as her accent sounded very similar. She was ok, but not as vocally strong as narrators I've seen in previous productions. Just fyi, Alexandra wasn't on Tuesday either, her first show in MK was the Wednesday evening performance. These are her first performances since she gave birth so perhaps she needed some more time with baby or to prep for the show. Sorry to hear of your experience with the merch stand, they should be more accommodating in that kind of circumstance. That's interesting to know. Someone I know had gone on Tuesday night and I'd asked did Alexandra perform? And had got the reply 'The narrator was brilliant', so assumed she must have done that performance, but obviously not!
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Post by Roxie on Sept 21, 2022 20:48:26 GMT
It's been announced now that both Linzi and Jac are going to be doing Joseph in Toronto!
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Sept 21, 2022 22:24:38 GMT
I would love to see Ms Hateley get another chance to be on Broadway, but not in this production, with it's lowered keys, kids playing adult parts, comedy over heart. Overall it's too cheap for Broadway.
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Post by Jon on Sept 22, 2022 0:05:33 GMT
I can see them getting a name for the Narrator if it goes to Broadway, it would struggle otherwise.
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Post by hitmewithurbethshot on Sept 22, 2022 9:16:42 GMT
Has Rochelle Sherona left the tour? She’s still on the website but Abigayle Honeywill has joined the cast and Meg Darcy seems to be the default Narrator when Alex is off
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Post by chestwig on Sept 22, 2022 20:29:12 GMT
Has Rochelle Sherona left the tour? She’s still on the website but Abigayle Honeywill has joined the cast and Meg Darcy seems to be the default Narrator when Alex is off She’s been out a while as shes injured. It’s her back I think. Shame as shes fab as US Narrator. Seen her a few times…. Kel
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Post by chestwig on Sept 23, 2022 8:20:19 GMT
Has Rochelle Sherona left the tour? She’s still on the website but Abigayle Honeywill has joined the cast and Meg Darcy seems to be the default Narrator when Alex is off She was out for injury and hasn’t gone back but have just seen shes in the new cast of Moulin Rouge….
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Post by musicbox on Oct 26, 2022 21:41:19 GMT
I went to see this again tonight as I’m in Edinburgh at the moment and had a night off, the main reason being that I thought Alexandra was brilliant at the Palladium and wanted to see her again.
My thoughts that I posted about the production itself are exactly the same as when I seen it in Glasgow with Linzi in June, so I won’t go over it all again, but at least I knew what to expect this time.
There were a group of people, who I assumed were drama students by what they were saying sitting behind me who were deeply disappointed by the production though. I found it quite fascinating whilst listening to them talk about it during the interval as first time watchers.
One of them summed it up perfectly for me with - “Surely some of the ensemble could have played the other roles instead of the narrator and the kids? I’ve been in Joseph so many times since I was in school and even I’m struggling to follow this!” - Exactly my thoughts to be honest!
Anyway, my main take away tonight was just how much of an absolute powerhouse Alexandra really is! The fact that she gave birth a matter of weeks ago and is up there giving her everything every night is really quite astounding to me. I know that she can be quite a divisive person, but she’s so undeniably brilliant and such a grafter! I also think the lower pitched score works well for her rich alto voice, whereas it’s more noticeable with Linzi’s natural soprano range (Linzi could probably still sing the original score easily in my opinion).
Jac was also brilliant as always, and Jason was also awful as always. I really hope Jac will move onto another role next year as his voice is pretty spectacular, it feels very under-utilised here.
To round it off, I really have to say that my stomach sank slightly when I seen that the show was on at the Playhouse, as I’ve never been to a show there where I’ve not encountered at least one rude staff member…and tonight didn’t disappoint.
They’ve decided to incorporate a “one way system” in the foyer during the interval, I can see the logic but I really feel like it causes more jams than it relieves to be honest. I got to the toilets where there was no queue and tried to walk straight in, but a steward told me to step back and said “Sorry you have to walk the whole one way system”. I genuinely thought he was joking as there was no one else there, but no…he actually made me walk around an empty cordoned off path around the foyer until I got to the toilet again. It felt like he was just trying to assert authority for no reason and it really annoyed me to be honest!
So many staff members just had a very confrontational energy in general to be honest, there’s really no better feeling than being treated with contempt for buying a theatre ticket is there? I don’t expect an Other Palace level of great service in every theatre, but surely the team can do better than this? Unfortunately I’ve experienced this same thing at the Playhouse quite a few times though.
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Post by showtoones on Oct 27, 2022 4:46:11 GMT
Donny Osmond seems like the obvious choice for the pharoah, especially when it moves to Broadway
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Post by aingidh on Oct 28, 2022 15:12:54 GMT
musicbox Hello - depending on where you were sitting, that may have been the group I was with. (Rows T-Y, stalls, stage left side) Most of us study drama and we went as a musical theatre society trip. There's a few hardcore Joseph fans in the society so a few of them were rather confused or disappointed by some of the choices made for this version which deviates really heavily from the usual Kenwright show. I for one really enjoyed it! have to agree on Jason, but Jac and Alexandra did a phenomenal job. The audience reaction after Close Every Door says it all, hope he is destined for bigger things after this.
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Post by musicbox on Oct 28, 2022 22:41:14 GMT
musicbox Hello - depending on where you were sitting, that may have been the group I was with. (Rows T-Y, stalls, stage left side) Most of us study drama and we went as a musical theatre society trip. There's a few hardcore Joseph fans in the society so a few of them were rather confused or disappointed by some of the choices made for this version which deviates really heavily from the usual Kenwright show. I for one really enjoyed it! have to agree on Jason, but Jac and Alexandra did a phenomenal job. The audience reaction after Close Every Door says it all, hope he is destined for bigger things after this. Hi! I was sitting in row JJ right at the back of the stalls, so it must've been another group of students. I booked them just a few hours before the show so the seats weren't the best tbh, I definitely wouldn't chose to sit there again. I totally agree though, I really enjoyed it because I love Alexandra and think Jac is always consistently amazing, so I was able to look past the production issues. It genuinely felt like the applause after Close Every Door was never going to end, very well deserved though! Alexandra's vocals during Pharaohs Story were also incredible, a definite highlight for me! One of the girls in the student group behind me kept commenting on how much she fancied Jac during the interval, but the guy next to her was taking the show far too seriously and kept telling her off like 'Why can't you focus on the fact that they have children playing adults?' and her response was 'Sorry I find him hot and it's very distracting OKAY' - it really made me chuckle!
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Post by chestwig on Oct 29, 2022 8:54:03 GMT
Hi! I was sitting in row JJ right at the back of the stalls, so it must've been another group of students. I booked them just a few hours before the show so the seats weren't the best tbh, I definitely wouldn't chose to sit there again. I totally agree though, I really enjoyed it because I love Alexandra and think Jac is always consistently amazing, so I was able to look past the production issues. It genuinely felt like the applause after Close Every Door was never going to end, very well deserved though! Alexandra's vocals during Pharaohs Story were also incredible, a definite highlight for me! One of the girls in the student group behind me kept commenting on how much she fancied Jac during the interval, but the guy next to her was taking the show far too seriously and kept telling her off like 'Why can't you focus on the fact that they have children playing adults?' and her response was 'Sorry I find him hot and it's very distracting OKAY' - it really made me chuckle! Her vocals are good. Have seen her many times. She’s abit too Whitney For me on some parts. I still prefer Linzi have to say. Dont like the way they’ve lowered the score but still love this musical. Last day of the tour today too. Lucky to have seen it alot.. Will miss it…
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Post by Roxie on Nov 19, 2022 10:07:45 GMT
The casting for Joseph in Toronto has been announced, and due to unforseen personal circumstances, Linzi has had to withdraw from the show. Sending her well wishes and hope her replacement, Vanessa Fisher (who I believe was Sheridan’s US in 2019) smashes it!
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Post by marob on Nov 19, 2022 11:02:13 GMT
Little bit jealous they get Tosh Wanogho-Maud as the Pharaoh. He was great in The Drifter’s Girl.
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Post by chestwig on Nov 19, 2022 13:16:45 GMT
The casting for Joseph in Toronto has been announced, and due to unforseen personal circumstances, Linzi has had to withdraw from the show. Sending her well wishes and hope her replacement, Vanessa Fisher (who I believe was Sheridan’s US in 2019) smashes it! Was lucky to see her a few times in the 2019 when Sheridan was off. Shes fab and tbh much better than Sheridan…. kel
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Post by fiyero on Dec 8, 2022 17:27:08 GMT
Is anyone seeing the show in Toronto? Very lucky to see Tosh as Pharaoh, got to be an improvement on Jason. Hope they release a clip or something, i believe they are in rehearsals now.
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Post by ilovewemusicals on Feb 21, 2024 9:30:10 GMT
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Post by Alejo on Feb 21, 2024 9:56:18 GMT
I imagine this is part of another UK tour, about to be announced (although that article says Donny is only doing the Edinburgh run). Jason for the other dates? I'd probably go back and see it if they get Linzi Hateley involved.
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Post by BVM on Feb 21, 2024 10:06:15 GMT
I love Joseph. One of my all time fave musicals.
I don't love the Lawrence Connor panto production and am slightly sad the show seems lumbered with it currently. For anyone that can remember the iconic Stephen Pimlott production, it's a massive downgrade in every aspect. It's such a joyous show that it more or less comes together in the end, but I find it in spite of rather than because of the production.
Of course I recognise we are never gonna get anything as expensive and technically expensive as the Pimlott version in 2024. But my preference would be for another new version!
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Post by elfman1 on Feb 21, 2024 10:13:08 GMT
I imagine this is part of another UK tour, about to be announced (although that article says Donny is only doing the Edinburgh run). Jason for the other dates? I'd probably go back and see it if they get Linzi Hateley involved. It says Only Uk dates so Could there be a US tour imminent?
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