Joseph at the Palladium / U.K. Tour

Oh and I would LOVE to find a recording that includes the Overture. I think there may have been a Hungarian one but I have never been able to track it down.

The Sheridan Smith show was decent tonight. First time I’ve ever seen this live, although we did the short version in choir at school many years ago. Helpful for when the lyrics weren’t clear.

Great comedy from Sheridan, even robotic dancing. She got a few Joseph lines and I’m sure she’d have done the whole role if she could.

The biggest reception was for Jason Donovan. He can’t really sing any more but he sure has a fan base.

It’s a very simple production compared to The King and I last year. All done and dusted in two hours including a 25 minute interval. There isn’t much to the show really but it’s fun,

The front side stalls seats for £35 were a great deal (don’t think they’re as cheap any more). Perfect view and you get a good view of a lot of the male ensemble showing off their physique if that appeals.

Jac Yarrow did a great job as well. This version of rye doe really isn’t about him, but he sings well in a posh stage school English accent way (with traces of Welsh) and looks good when he takes his top off.

Good for a quick fun night out. It could transfer, but only really with Sheridan as so much of this is performed around her strengths.

Did you get to choose your seats at all? I’m hoping that I’ll win this at least once, as my credit card is feeing a bit unwell at the moment!

First off a warning - If you don't like Sheridan Smith DONT GO!
You have been warned.

However if you like her then you will love this. It is the Sheridan Show and you can see she is having an absolute ball and loving every minute of it.
Packed house last night and pleased to say a lot of people of similar age to me which for some reason surprised me.
Now I didn't go to be challenged or to have my thoughts provoked, I went to be entertained, have fun and I had a dam good time.
Orchestra were superb, sets great, clever and colourful without being over fussy. Ensemble great and worked their socks off. Even the kids were entertaining and fitted in really well.
As for the 3 leads.
Jason Donovan was hugely popular and got entrance applause and milked his performance for all its worth. His voice really isn't good anymore but I really don't think that mattered and the audience loved him.
Jac Yarrow as Joseph, now I really hope that I saw a star in the making. Very confident and put in a great performance. Great singing voice and perfect diction. I could understand every single word. Fantastic performance of Close Every Door.
And finally to Ms Smith. Those of you who have seen posts of mine before know that I rather like her so I am not going to say she was rubbish am I?
This really is her show, she is hardly off the stage at all and holds the whole thing together. As others have said lots of winks, gurns and general messing around but that is what she does so well and had the audience in the palm of her hand. I honestly think she was having the time of her life up on the stage and looked so happy.
She got the biggest ovation at the end and took the final bow, but I liked the fact that the final moment of the show was Jac's.
Standing ovation at the end and we all stayed standing for the megamix which quite a few people dancing in the aisles of the stalls.
I know this show will be a bit of a marmite event and I am sure there will be plenty of posts on here in the coming weeks from board members who didn't like it (and her) at all, but for me I came away very happy and in a great mood - and after all isn't that what we want at the end of an evening out?

Just a final word on the seating - I was in stalls S34 and had a great view of the stage and excellent leg room. I had booked a seat which was advertised as being larger than the normal seat. I didn't really need it as I can fit into pretty much any seat in a theatre (except for the seats in the gods at the RAH) but thought I would try it. Would recommend it for any larger person as there is definitely a few extra inches in the seat. I believe there are several seats marked as this at the Palladium. Theatremonkey - might be of interest for you website.

Yes Jenna Lee James was sensational. Such a powerful voice, a bit rocky but with MT precision and an incredible belt. Her Pharaoh Story was an utterly goosebumps moment. My joint favourite Narrator with Linzi Hateley and Lisa Peace. 

Jenna not unlike Kerry Ellis really. Am a huge fan of Kerry, though very much not in the "Kerry should be in everything" brigade, but she too would absolutely nail the Narrator role.

Anyway, I'd urge you to go anyway. I too would prefer the Narrator to be played straight, but Sheridan Smith is what's on offer - and she's really not bad (it's just that I'd prefer something else). With an open mind through, it does all work and the overall atmosphere is so joyous, I honestly think it's hard not to enjoy!

(Edit - thinking about it am surprised Kerry Ellis has never played the Narrator - I really think it's a perfect match for her. Maybe if it transfers.....)

Jason Donovan currently on This Morning, talking about Joseph.  Mention of Jac being a great Joseph, but no mention of Sheridan.  Scofe's, Jasons, and Jac's coats on display in the studio.  Jac's looks tacky compared to the other two - I really don't like the design of it, or the fact that it's predominantly black! 

Interestingly (and bizarrely), ALW initially offered Jason the opportunity to reprise the part of Joseph, but they agreed his voice didn’t fit anymore and that he wasn’t the right age. That would’ve been a mighty big mistake!

I really do feel sorry for Jac, he has the title role yet nearly all the publicity such as this and the previously mentioned Daily Mail article are predominantly JD centred

Offering a middle aged over the hill, cannot sing, cannot dance person would have proved the point ALW needs to be committed.

The cult of celebrity always wins out.