Timothy Claxton and ensemble.
Camera IconTimothy Claxton and ensemble. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie.

Celebrations all round as Midnite present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Tanya MacNaughtonEastern Reporter

IT will be the case of two anniversaries when Midnite Youth Theatre Company presents Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Heath Ledger Theatre next month.

Not only is the company celebrating 30 years since forming but it is also continuing the tradition of performing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat every 10 years.

Artistic director Gregory Jones said Joseph was the perfect musical for Midnite, given it was based at Anglican Christ Church Grammar School and had a large male contingent in the cast of almost 60.

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“It’s a big cast. Normally our shows go up to 25 years old but with this one we’ve capped the casting age at 18,” Jones, said.

“There are boys and girls from all around Perth between the ages of 12 to 18 years old, so it will showcase our city’s up and coming talent.”

Jones, who lamented not having performed in a production of Joseph himself, said everyone was enjoying the musical’s catchy songs, including Any Dream Will Do and Close Every Door, with the predominantly pop score deviating to other music genres.

“The score is pretty fantastic and the highs and lows of Joseph’s journey follow the different musical styles,” Jones said.

“It’s a biblical tale about Joseph and his 11 brothers. Joseph has the gift of being able to see into the future, or read dreams if you like; it is also very much about the fact he has premonitions or prophecies about people’s dreams.

“It is a show about believing in yourself and believing in your dreams.”

Timothy Claxton is playing the pivotal title character in the musical, which Jones said was essentially about family.

“I think the company has to become like a family to tell the story which is great,” he said.

“I think they’ll be very connected throughout the season and then treasure the memory of performing this wonderful show and telling this wonderful story about Joseph.”

THE ESSENTIALS

What: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Where: Heath Ledger Theatre

When: August 3 to 5

Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au