Dreamcoat to float your boat

Wannerooo’s Limelight Theatre will be awash with bright songs and colourful costumes this June as it brings a famed Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to life.

Wannerooo’s Limelight Theatre will be awash with bright songs and colourful costumes this June as it brings a famed Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to life.

Directed by Bob Mainwaring, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is based on the story of Joseph and his “coat of many colors” from the Bible’s Book of Genesis.

It was nominated for several Tony Awards in 1982 and also received several nominations at the 1992 Olivier Awards.

With lyrics by Tim Rice, Jason Donovan starred in the 1991 revival and Donny Osmond appeared in a 1999 film version.

“The musical is about Jacob and one of his sons, hated by his brothers because he is their father’s favourite,” Mainwaring said.

“The last straw is when the father gives him a dazzling coat of many colours – the brothers attack Joseph and sell him into slavery in Egypt.

“But Joseph is good at interpreting dreams and manages to help the pharaoh with his dreaming.”

Mainwaring wanted to stage Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat simply for the fun and excitement it brings to an audience.

“It’s full of great songs written by one of the world’s favourite musical composers, Andrew Lloyd Webber,” he said.

First treading the boards as a four-year-old, Mainwaring has been involved in theatre for many years in various capacities, performing all over the world.

In Perth, he has acted at the Regal Theatre, Playhouse, Mandurah Performing Arts Centre and extensively with Limelight Theatre, recently picking up a best actor award for his role in Educating Rita last year and performing in On Golden Pond.

He believes his main challenge with Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is coordinating 45 talented people on stage.

“Once they’re on stage, we need to bring out the energy and vitality that’s inherent in the show out and do it some real justice,” Mainwaring said.

“I believe we’ve done that and the public should be ready for a thrilling night out.”

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays at 8pm, June 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18 with 2pm matinees on June 11 and 18.

Tickets are $26 adults, $21 concession and $12 children. Book on 9571 8591 between 9am and midday, Monday to Friday, or online at www.limelighttheatre.com.

Limelight Theatre is located on Civic Drive, Wanneroo.