Joseph and his coat are still amazing!

The Alhambra

It was written as a 15-minute ‘pop cantata’ for a London school, and became one of the world’s best-loved musicals.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice family favourite – based on the Biblical story of Joseph, his 11 brothers and that famous coat of many colours – always goes down well with Bradford audiences, and last night’s opening show was no exception.

With a cast that includes crooning cowboys, a comedy camel, square-jawed American football hunks and a Vegas Elvis-style Pharaoh, this is a lively, well-paced production that races along to a multi-cultural score spanning country, gospel, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, calypso and torch song.

Like all biblical rock musicals, the show is inevitably dated, but a bright set taking the audience from Jacob’s cornfields to glamorous Egypt created a contemporary feel. Numbers such as Go, Go, Go Joseph, Those Canaan Days and Close Every Door were delivered with panache by a talented ensemble led by Rob Wilshaw as a charismatic Joseph and Jennifer Potts holding it together as the Narrator.

Luke Jasztal was a great rock ‘n’ roll Pharaoh, shaking his hips to the delight of squealing cheerleaders, and Henry Metcalfe gave a moving, dignified presence as both weary old Jacob and formidable Potiphar.

Strong performances too from Joseph’s band of brothers, the handmaidens and the Joseph choir, comprised of the Young Showstoppers from Heckmondwike .

This sparkling family show runs until Saturday.