You'd be forgiven for thinking the star of the show would be its namesake. But in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jac Yarrow who made his professional debut as the protagonist in this production, is overshadowed by his superstar sidekick who plays several roles – while pregnant.
Former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, who plays the narrator, Jacob and a series of side characters, put in a flawless performance at Manchester's Opera House on Tuesday (March 29). At points it feels like a one-woman show by the pregnant singer, who has starred on many stages since her theatre debut in the Bodyguard eight years ago.
And yet, the size of the cast is considerable – albeit with many of the characters played by kids.
READ MORE: Alexandra Burke announces she's pregnant with first child in loved-up video on Valentine's Day
The children singing on stage sometimes makes it feel like a school play – perhaps a nod to the origins of the production. production.
Former Neighbours star Jason Donovan, who played Joseph during the production's record-breaking era, features as Pharaoh. His entrance is greeted with excitement by adults in the audience, while kids are heard asking who he is during the interval.
The Australian actor, who is aged 53, delivers the Elvis-cum-Pharaoh character with a questionable American accent and jokes of his exhaustion minutes after his entrance. Although as his brief appearance goes on you question whether he was really joking.
Stepping into the shoes of Donovan, Yarrow, who plays the protagonist, does not appear in the iconic loincloth – the first Joseph not to. It follows an unfortunate mishap in which the one-piece garment fell of his body in the first dress rehearsal.
However, his performance of Close Every Door in white baggy trousers exceeds the excellence of the coat of many colours he dons. Even more impressive is the set which is simple, but impactful in the first half, and decadent in the second.
The Opera House stage sometimes seems too small for the extensive cast of characters whose moves are choreographed to perfection. How Burke performs these moves with several on-stage costume changes - while pregnant - is beyond any person.
As a child, you appreciate the epic soundtrack of this Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, but as an adult the lyrical genius of Tim Rice becomes even more apparent. That's perhaps the best thing about this production – the work the pair put in 55 years ago.
The timeless biblical tale alone has the power to bring you to your knees. But the way it is told is nothing short of tremendous.
This phenomenal production, which will be performed at the Opera House in Manchester until Saturday, April 2, is a must see with fun to be had by all the family. But don't be deceived by the title – it is the narrator who is the stand-out star of the show.
