First and still the best of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals, with witty lyrics by Tim Rice, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was a marvellous foundation for what has become a modern musical empire. Almost 30 years after its first outing, it still charms the eye and beguiles the ear.
The visiting production now at the Gaiety does it justice. In Richard Swerrun it has a white-smiling Joseph with a Tarzan physique, a decent baritone and a sense of humour. He is well supported by Karena Franceska's tuneful narrator, Jeremy Devall's hip Pharaoh, fine choruses of men and children and some lively dancers.
All the familiar songs get a happy outing - Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door, There's One More Angel In Heaven, Old Canaan Days, Pharaoh's Dream - and the narration is witty and lyrical. The dancing has more verve than precision, but its sheer energy and rhythm are infectious. Costumes are colourful, and the simple set is a good fit for the action.
A prolonged and generous encore sets the seal on a royally entertaining evening. It's probably not possible to displace in my memory the excellences of the first Dublin production with Tony Kenny, Jim McCann, Fran Dempsey and Cahir O'Doherty, directed by Alan Simpson, but this one comes close.
Runs until October 4th; booking at 01-6771717
