Go, Go, Go Joseph!

Members of the Shiplake Community were wowed by the Whole College Production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last week in the Kenton Theatre, Henley. Around 60 cast members from Years 7 to 13 gave it their all in a brilliantly colourful rendition of the famous West End show.

The show took place across three nights - 15,16 and 17 February, including two matinées for local primary and prep schools on Wednesday.

In total seven schools came along to enjoy the show. Nettlebed Primary, Kidmore End Primary, St Mary's Prep, St Piran's, Shiplake Primary, Rupert House and Gayhurst were treated to two hours of entertainment. With claps and cheers from the children throughout the show, they clearly enjoyed every moment. At the end of the show they were invited to meet the cast and to their delight had their programmes autographed by the leading cast members.

With amazing vocals from Sam Bourke (Joseph), Charlotte Garnett and Noah Scotchbrook (Narrators), brilliant comedic acting from the 11 brothers and fantastic set design, this really was a show not to miss. After two years with no productions and performances to a live audience, the pupils came alive on the stage. It was apparent that every single one of them was enjoying their time performing to the audience.

Every song performed was a vibrant masterpiece and it was wonderful to hear the audience singing and clapping along to the well loved numbers of Go, Go, Go Joseph and Any Dream Will Do.

The set design resembled a giant pyramid with each square illuminating along with the colours on Joseph's coat. The Lower School ensemble were also dressed in colourful t-shirts and Hawaiian shirts to add to the vibrancy on stage.

Narrators Charlotte and Noah were brilliant at telling the story through out the show and you could almost feel the audience willing Joseph's fortunes to turn around through Sam's depiction of him. The 11 brothers made up of Max Noakes, Phoebe Kay, James Lucking, Nikita Saitov, Sam Chambers, Emma O'Shea, David Gemmell, James Bizior, Lewis O'Donoghue, Will Tayler and Felix Collar had fantastic chemistry as a group on stage with moments of genius comedy and slapstick timing. The scene at Captain Potiphar's was very razzle dazzle with gold top hats and tails on the ensemble and brilliant comedy from Alfie Cheek (standing in for Louis Poundall) as Potiphar and Esme Young as Mrs Potiphar. A big laugh out loud moment was when the Pharaoh played by Henry Kunzig gave a full Elvis impersonation to relay his dream to Joseph.

Other special mentions go to Will Griffth (the baker), Seb Crehan-Mills (the butler) and Jack Dag (Joseph's angel) as well as all in the brilliant senior and Lower School ensembles.

Mrs Emma Farrell, Head of Drama, said: "Some theatre folk say that there is nothing more thrilling than being on stage under the lights, I have to disagree.

"The most thrilling thing for me is seeing young people who come together with a mutual passion, unaquainted and shy, reluctant to show their full and genuine selves transform into a family, creating a sense of belonging through their love of theatre.

"Sharing a stage, this experience (and a changing room) creates life long memories and it is a privilege to facilitate that, particularly with this exceptional cast."

The highlights video above was shown to all pupils and staff at the end of half term Assembly and Service on Friday morning and the cast will get back together to watch the whole production through in due course after which the footage will be available to parents.

Flickr album: Joseph February 2022 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin