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Search forCharming Craig gives a dream performance
07:00 - 14-May-2008
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, showing at Hull New Theatre, tells the Biblical tale of how Joseph (played by Chalmers), son of Jacob, was sold into slavery by his 11 very jealous brothers, who were fed up of their father favouring their young brother.
The straw that broke the camel's back was the beautiful multi-coloured coat Jacob bestowed on his son – a coat the brothers daubed in goat's blood to make their father believe his youngest had been killed.
Joseph's journey takes him from dreamer to slave, to prisoner, to well-off favourite of the Pharaoh. And in the end, years later, when the brothers meet up, there is revenge on Joseph's part, but there is also brotherly love. And it's this love that wins the day.
My first impression at Monday night's performance was that Craig Chalmers' voice was a bit too lightweight. But as the night wore on, and the songs (Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door, Give Me My Coloured Coat to name a few), came thick and fast, I came to the conclusion it was his boyishness that made him the perfect Joseph. That, and his aforementioned charm.
This colourful spectacle was narrated by Tara Bethan, she of TV's I'd Do Anything fame. And a great job she did too – as did the local youngsters of Stagecoach, of Beverley and Hull, who were magnificent as the Joseph Choir.
The production had everything, from blow-up sheep to “Elvis” to cowboys to camels – all swept along by rousing music from talented musicians directed by Robert Cousins.
There literally wasn't a dull moment. Without exception, the talented cast brought energy, humour and noise to their roles and it seemed, at the end, they just didn't want to leave the stage.
Several curtain calls proved we didn't want them to leave either.
And when Joseph (sorry, Craig) stepped forward to congratulate Hull City on their recent success at Watford, well, we were putty in his hands.
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs at Hull New Theatre, Kingston Square, Hull, until Saturday. Today and tomorrow, 2pm & 7.30pm; Fri, 5pm & 8pm and Sat, 2pm, 5pm & 8pm. Tickets cost from £13.50. To book, call (01482) 226655.
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Craig Chalmers (centre) with the cast of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
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It would have outsold the whole of last week’s top 40 singles four times over
