Joseph Tickets

With a long history that befits the Biblical scope of the story, 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' has in recent years experienced a resurgence in popularity attributable to the 'Any Dream Will Do' television series that aired on BBC1 in 2007. One of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's first musical productions, 'Joseph' first opened as a short rock-opera that was performed at London school Colet Court's spring concert in 1968. It quickly expanded into its present form, being performed first at the Edinburgh International Festival in 1972 before opening on Broadway (at the Royale Theatre) in January of 1982 and later in the West End (at the London Palladium) in 1991. Later versions saw the story performed as a pantomime, as a straight-to-video film, and as a touring production which visited countless stops all over the United States and the United Kingdom. At present, the show is open at the Adelphi Theatre on the West End, with successful 'Any Dream Will Do' contestant Lee Mead in the lead role.

Based on the story of Joseph, found in the book of Genesis (the first book in the Bible's Old Testament), 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' is about one man's struggle to live up to the expectations others have for him, and the dreams he has for himself. As the favourite of twelve sons, Joseph finds it hard to get along with his brothers who resent him for being doted on by their father Jacob, who gives Joseph a beautiful rainbow coloured coat. There is a prophesy, dreamed by Joseph, that he will one day be expected to take the throne and rule over the entire kingdom. His brothers are angered by the possibility of having to be subjects of their despised brother, and they conspire to have him sent away. Having convinced a passing group of Ishmaelites to take Joseph with them to Egypt, the brothers inform their father that Joseph was murdered whilst wearing his beloved coat, which is now covered in blood. Jacob grieves for the loss of his son, whilst Joseph's eleven brothers and their wives celebrate ridding themselves of their brother the 'future king'.

Joseph quickly adapts to his new life in Egypt as a slave, but is thrown into prison after a misunderstanding between himself and his employer. Whilst in jail, Joseph meets two inmates, a butler and a baker, who have both been fired from the Pharaohs household. They confide their dreams to Joseph, who interprets them as meaning that the baker will be executed for his alleged crimes, whilst the butler will be freed and allowed to return to serving the Pharaoh. Fortunately for Joseph his predictions prove true and the butler returns to work for the Pharaoh, who is himself having unusual dreams that none of his advisers can interpret. The butler, still with Joseph's predictions fresh in his mind, tells the Pharaoh of his meeting with the strange man in prison, and the Pharaoh subsequently has Joseph brought before him. After hearing of the Pharaohs dream, Joseph tells him that his kingdom will experience seven years of good harvests followed by seven years of drought and famine.

The Pharaoh quickly puts Joseph in charge of organizing the stockpiling of food and supplies for the impending period of drought and his status rises until he is the second most powerful man in all of Egypt. When the drought finally arrives, the surrounding regions are left unprepared but Egypt continues to prosper, all thanks to Joseph's planning. Back at his family home, Joseph's brothers are starving and decide to go to Egypt to beg for food. Joseph identifies the refugees immediately, though does not reveal himself to them as their brother. Instead, he plants a precious cup in their luggage and has them arrested for thievery, only to be pleasantly surprised when all of the brothers beg for the forgiveness of the one that is accused. Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and asks for his father to be brought to see him, at which point the entire reunited family rejoice and celebrate, bringing about the end of the musical.

With bookings being taken up until January of 2009, 'Joseph' looks set to regain it's title as one of the most loved musicals in London theatre. Having already won two Laurence Olivier Awards during the 1991 West End Revival (for set design and costuming), as well as being one of the most performed musicals for school productions and amateur groups, it's a sure bet that 'Joseph' will just keep on going.