Musical theatre / Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Canberra Philharmonic Society. At Erindale Theatre until March 15. Reviewed by BILL STEPHENS.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was conceived and written in 1965 as a 15-minute “pop cantata” by 17-year-old Andrew Lloyd Webber and 20-year-old Tim Rice, responding to a commission to write a piece for their school choir.

The commercial potential of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was spotted by a canny producer in the audience who had it expanded into a full-length musical to take advantage of the international success of Lloyd Webber and Rice’s break-out musical, Jesus Christ Superstar.

Their light-hearted reworking of the story lifted from The Book of Genesis, describing how Joseph became alienated from his 11 brothers after their father gifted him an incredibly special coat, became a worldwide hit after its premiere on the West End in 1973.

Fifty-two years on, the Canberra Philharmonic Society provides an excellent example of why this musical has retained its popularity over the years with a lavish new production in the Erindale Theatre.

Director Kelda McManus has adroitly harnessed the talents of many of the region’s most accomplished musical theatre creatives and performers, and anchored her production with a charming, confident performance by Taylor Paliaga as the narrator, with the experience of Tim Dal Cortivo as Joseph, to produce a warm-hearted, family friendly, sung-through production, awash with visual and aural surprises.

Following an arresting overture from the off-stage 15-piece band conducted by Craig Johnson, the unexpectedly dull setting and costumes chosen to set up the story soon gives way to a riot of colour and movement for a succession of spectacular production numbers devised by choreographer Caitlin Schilg.

Schilg cleverly draws on the dance styles of influential Broadway choreographers to give each scene individuality as well as highlight the individual talents of each of her 51 cast members. While not all those cast members can match her choreographic ambitions, what they lack in finesse, they certainly make up in enthusiasm, with spectacular results.

Similarly, Ian Croker’s set designs are a gift that keeps giving as they cleverly morph through surprising combinations to accommodate Jennie Norberry’s lavish costumes that, by the finale, threaten to challenge the spectacle of a Disney production.

Then there are the wonderful puppet creations of Sarea Coates, particularly her adorable sheep and goat creations along with the scene-stealing camel, which are worth the price of admission alone.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is very much an ensemble show that offers endless opportunities to display individual performers and performances.

Director McManus has taken full advantage of these opportunities by making sure each member of her large cast has a moment in the spotlight.

Among many highlights, are the outrageous, show-stopping turn by Joe Dinn as the Pharaoh, channelling Donald Trump doing an Elvis Presley impersonation; and the attention paid by musical director Jenna Hinton to the harmonies and diction clarity of all the songs, especially evident in the Those Canaan Days number, therefore allowing cheeky exuberance of the youthful Tim Rice’s lyrics to be savoured.

With this production, Philo has devised an imaginative and entertaining show that besides showcasing the strength of musical theatre talent in the region, is also an outstanding example of what can be achieved with enthusiastic community participation.

No matter how many productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat you may have seen before, this is one not to miss.