Sublime storytelling, toe-tapping tunes, a banging megamix, loads of beards and a half naked Jason Donovan, what more could you want from a night out at the theatre?! 

Mayflower Theatre is the only venue on the current UK tour of the latest revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to be treated to his appearance in the show in which he made his name and Jason does not miss the chance to ham it up completely.

My companion and I were among friends in an audience who were clearly also childhood Jason and Joseph fans who whooped and cheered as he flung himself around as the scantily gold clad Elvis-style Pharoah in Song of the King. 

(Image: Mayflower Theatre) READ MORE: Six returns to Southampton for fourth time in four years after sell out success

There's so much more to love than just Jason's cameo though as Adam Filipe delights in the titular role, his beautiful rendition of Close Every Door proving a real show-stopper. 

Christina Bianco also boasts stunning vocals as the almost ever present Narrator, although I would have thought she had quite enough to do already without also playing multiple other characters, including Joseph’s father Jacob and Potiphar’s wife.

It's the same beloved production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical which has been enjoyed for over 50 years, but with the tongue in cheek style it has developed more recently.

(Image: Mayflower Theatre) The biblical story follows Joseph, the favoured son of Jacob, whose gift of interpreting dreams sets him apart from his jealous brothers. Betrayed by them and sold into slavery, Joseph’s journey takes him from an Egyptian prison to a place of power.

The costumes and set burst with colour and creativity and the familiar score, including Any Dream Will Do and Go, Go, Go Joseph, is performed with precision and passion by the talented ensemble and skilled orchestra, led by John Rigby.

The choreography is also a triumph, I particularly enjoyed the additions of tap, country and can-can to a rather varied repertoire.

(Image: Mayflower Theatre) This is one fast-paced show with some modern touches which breathe new life into a classic and a joyous mash up of choruses to sing and dance along to at the end. 

 

Joseph is bright, bold and brimming with energy.

Limited tickets remain for shows until Saturday. Visit mayflower.org.uk

(Image: Mayflower Theatre)