The sensational brand-new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat comes to the Manchester Opera House from Monday 21st March to Saturday 2nd April.
Jason Donovan will reprise the role of Pharaoh, which he performed at the London Palladium in 2019 and 2021, sharing the stage once again with Alexandra Burke as Narrator and Jac Yarrow who is preparing to don the famous coat in the titular role on tour, following a sensational summer season for the trio in London’s West End.
Alexandra Burke will play Narrator in the celebrated musical. Her many West End credits include the lead roles in The Bodyguard, Sister Act, Chess and Chicago.
Alexandra first rose to fame winning The X-Factor in 2008, and has since gone on to sell over 5 million records. She’ll also make her movie debut in the film Pretty Red Dress next year.
Jason Donovan will return in the role of Pharaoh. He was originally in the show when he made his defining stage performance as the title character of Joseph in the 1990s, in a sold-out 18-month run which produced a No.1 single and best-selling soundtrack album. Jason raised the roof of the London Palladium during the show’s 2019 and 2021 engagements as Pharaoh, who rocks ‘Song of the King’ in the musical.
Jac Yarrow caused a sensation when he made his professional stage debut playing Joseph, following in the footsteps of a line of stars who have previously played the title character. His portrayal of Joseph won him unanimous acclaim and an Olivier Award nomination, with his rendition of ‘Close Every Door To Me’ regularly stopping the show with standing ovations.
Audiences and critics were unanimous in their acclaim for the legendary musical – the first major collaboration by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber – when it returned to the London Palladium in 2019 and again in 2021.
Released as a concept album in 1969, the stage version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become one of the world’s most beloved family musicals.
The multi-award-winning show, which began life as a small-scale school concert, has been performed hundreds of thousands of times including multiple runs in the West End and on Broadway, international number one tours, and productions in over 80 countries as far afield as Austria and Zimbabwe and from Israel to Peru!
The show features songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre standards, including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me, Jacob and Sons, There’s One More Angel In Heaven and Go Go Go Joseph.
Told entirely through song with the help of the Narrator, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat follows the story of Jacob’s favourite son Joseph and his eleven brothers. After being sold into hardship by the brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife.
While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled showman, the Pharaoh. As Joseph strives to resolve Egypt’s famine, he becomes Pharaoh’s right-hand man and eventually reunites with his family.
Producer Michael Harrison says:
“After two sensational runs at The London Palladium, I am delighted to bring this joyous show to the Manchester Opera House next spring as JOSEPH prepares to unite audiences and spread happiness across the UK.”
“Our ‘dream team’ casting will enchant newcomers and longstanding fans alike; Jac Yarrow has wowed audiences and critics with his spectacular debut and attendees should be prepared for the roof to be raised when Jason Donovan steps on stage. Alexandra Burke is confirmed to return to her much-applauded role as Narrator when we perform in Manchester, having warmed the hearts of theatre-goers at the London Palladium this summer.”
“GO! GO! GO! JOSEPH!”
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Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Dates: Monday 21st March to Saturday 2nd April
Venue: Manchester Opera House
