Donny Osmond rocks Edinburgh! Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat review Edinburgh 2024

Updated: 2 days ago

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat UK Tour cast 2024 2025. Photo credit: Tristram Kenton

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat UK Tour 2024/2025

By Andrew Lloyd Webber (Music) and Tim Rice (Lyrics)

Directed by Laurence Connor

Edinburgh Playhouse | 11 December 2024 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s beloved family-friendly musical adaptation of the bible story "Joseph the dreamer" Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is well over 50 years old now, but its popularity endures with theatregoers around the world. Following multiple runs in the West End, on Broadway and in over 80 countries worldwide, 'Joseph' is embarking on a major new UK tour in 2025 with the show opening at Edinburgh Playhouse in time for Christmas 2024.

This new tour show is based on the acclaimed London Palladium production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and in Edinburgh it stars the legendary Donny Osmond in his first and only UK performances as Pharaoh. Synonymous with the US and Canadian productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Osmond played Joseph at more than 2000 performances between 1992 and 1997, and starred in the 1999 film.

Osmond's casting as the Pharaoh in this new version of the Joseph musical is not a gimmick. He doesn't merely turn up, sing the Pharaoh's song and leave. No, he puts on a remarkable show, complete with jokes, ad-libs and references to his own career. He works the 3,000 strong Edinburgh crowd into a frenzy! Wearing an incredible gold tartan kilt, Osmond leaps around the stage looking far younger than his years, and with it he lays down the best Pharaoh performance I have ever seen in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on stage. It's not even close.

Sometimes star casting is a bit disappointing; their photos are on the posters outside the theatre, but other performers outshine them in the show. Not so here. Osmond's voice is phenomenal, and his stage presence is unmatched. There is no doubt that we have a superstar in our midst at the Edinburgh Playhouse. Those fans who have travelled from far and wide to see him will not be disappointed. He's sensational. Donny Osmond rocks!

Donny Osmond as Pharoah in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Edinburgh Playhouse 2024. Photo credit: Tristram Kenton

That's not to take anything away from the rest of the cast who are likewise top-class. The supporting company of adult singers and dancers are magnificent. The story for Joseph is based on the tale of Jacob and his 12 sons from the book of Genesis. Joseph is Jacob's favourite son, and he gives him a coat of many colours as a mark of his affection. What a great way to make the other eleven brothers jealous Jacob! But because there are so many brothers in the story, and many of them have wives too - Joseph, the stage musical, does normally call for a large company. In the past I have been critical of productions placing children in some of the traditional adult roles (such as the brothers) - but I will eat my hat. The kids in this production are exceptional. Especially the young actor who played Potiphar - superb.

Starring in the titular role of Joseph for this tour is Adam Filipe. The strength, tone and range of Filipe's voice is exquisite. He allows Donny Osmond and the rest of the cast their moments to shine, but when it's his turn, Filipe proves why he's the leading man. His version of 'Close Every Door' is spine-tingling, and in fact every note he sings is glorious. He's charismatic and completely believable. This is a flawless performance from a future Joseph legend.

I cannot comment on Christina Bianco, as at this performance the role of Narrator was played by Charley Warburton. The narrator role has become overly complex in recent years. It was already a full-on role, but now that the performer also covers Jacob and a few other smaller roles, she is almost never off the stage. It's a miracle then that Warburton never missed a beat. Amiable, engaging and funny, this narrator acts, sings and dances her way through the entire show like it's a walk in the park. Warburton did an incredible job with a very difficult and pivotally important role. I heard so many people comment as we were leaving the auditorium "that girl was never off stage!" It's true. And she was fabulous for every second of it.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has been around for a long time. And so have I. I've seen countless stage productions of this musical over the years. But this new UK tour has many enhancements and bonus features to keep it fresh and that will demand repeat viewings even from those very familiar with the show.

Being a sung-through musical, the score is vitally important in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's music and lyrics stand the test of time. The complete classic soundtrack with hits such as Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door and Go, Go, Go, Joseph remains intact - thank goodness - and it's played here by the amazing Dr John Rigby and his orchestra. Rigby has been a highlight of many a modern Joseph production. It may sound odd that I recommend that you watch the Musical Director, but he is raised on a platform and lit at certain times during the performance for a reason! Rigby's enthusiasm and talent is evident, and his passion for this show is infectious. A fantastic live orchestra always enhances any theatrical production, but one led by John Rigby even more so.

Joseph used to be a notoriously short stage musical, so much so that the popular 'Joseph mega-mix' was added at the end to pad out the running time. The mega-mix remains in place here - no Director would dare remove it - but what this new version of Joseph does is extend some of the original songs with repeat verses and added dance breaks too. The variations include a hoedown tap dance, a stylish Fosse-esque Rich Man's Frug style number, a nod to cheerleaders and even a CanCan. I do not want to spoil all the adornments, but this 2025 version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat now runs just past the 2 hour mark and is more varied in style and content than you may expect. It's 2 hours of top-quality, upbeat entertainment. And it's funnier and livelier than ever.

Adam Filipe and Donny Osmond in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Edinburgh Playhouse December 2024. Photo credit: Tristram Kenton

Ben Cracknell's lighting is another spectacular element that elevates this show far beyond its basic book and soundtrack. The use of colours and stars to accent the lyrics in the show is the kind of impressive attention to detail that I get excited by. You better believe that when they sang about eleven stars in the sky, I quickly counted the number of stars lit around the stage at that precise moment - and yep, there were 11. Hurrah! The colours synchining to the colours in Joseph's coat is always a crowd pleaser, but Cracknell also introduces modern lighting effects we haven't seen in Joseph before and, as with every show he lights, the end result is sensational.

The quality of this entire stage production is exemplary. The direction, staging, sets and costumes are all stunning. I do believe that Jacob should be a separate role, and as with the previous 2022 UK tour, I really miss the big coat. Give Joseph his big coat at the end! But those are minor criticisms of a show that far exceeded my expectations. I didn't think that Joseph could surprise and excite me more than 30 years after I first saw it; but it did. And then some.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat may not be a traditional Christmas theatre show but it's an unmissable event in Edinburgh this winter. The stage bursts with colour, creativity, humour and talent. And if you weren't a fan of Donny Osmond before, you will be after this. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Donny Osmond is at the Edinburgh Playhouse now until 29th December 2024. See Joseph Edinburgh, Glasgow and full UK Tour and ticket details here

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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat UK Tour CAST 2025 / Edinburgh CAST 2024 - Donny Osmond

Adam Filipe Joseph

Christina Bianco Narrator*

Donny Osmond Pharaoh

Hugh Cotton Reuben

Will Haswell Simeon

*At the performance I saw on 11 December 2024, Charley Warburton played the Narrator.

Please note that Donny Osmond is scheduled to play Pharaoh in Joseph at Edinburgh Only.

Joe McElderry and Matt Slack have been announced as Pharaoh for some venues and other venues are yet to confirm casting. Check with your local venue for details!

✨ Joe McElderry is scheduled to play Joseph in at the King's Theatre, Glasgow summer 2025. Read more about Joe McElderry's casting in the UK Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat here.

The rest of the Joseph 2025 UK Tour company comprise: Aaron Archer; Bella Baldock; Daniel Bowskill; Imogen Bowtell; Taylor Bridges; Joseph Brownlie-Johnson; Joseph Craig; Davide Fienauri; Ellie Greenway; Oliver Hawes; Kiera Haynes; Siobhan James; Ben Lancaster; Nicole Lupino; Bradley Perret; Harvey Shulver; Jessica Sutton; Charley Warburton; Jenna Warne and Alex Woodward.

The production’s children’s company consists of Luke Beggs, Sofija Bele, Sidney Bond, Chloe Boyle, Coco Chapman, Charlie Cox, Max Crisp, Shae Marie David, Isabelle Chiara Dawodu, Josh Desai, Erin Donovan, Jasper Eglin, Safia Francis, Ernie Seiji Fransella, Marisia Georgiannaki, Poppy Graham, Coco-Lili Hodder, Poppy Kunorubwe, Eliott Marsden, Alex Neophytou, Shyanne Ononiwu, Rio-Blake Power, Leia O'Sullivan, Zachary Richardson, Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, Felix Schmitt, Dexter Seaton, Azalea-Belle Sharp, Arthur Tennant and Raine Williamson.