NEWBRIDGE, 17 July 2001: by Grace Halford. Students from all over the Kildare area have come together to put on what will undoubtedly be one of the most spectacular performances of Joseph And His Technicolor Dream Coat to have been staged in Newbridge. Together Productions have teamed up with Crooked House Productions to present the first-ever musical to be staged in the new County Arts Centre in Newbridge.
Under the direction of Paddy Melia and his assistants Lynda Colleton (overall co-ordinator) and assistant choreographer Milissa Kenny the joint venture will result in a truly amazing performance of the Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd-Webber Musical.
Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dream coat is the story of a young man named Joseph living in the land of Canaan. His father's favourite son, Joseph is perhaps a little spoiled. While the rest of his brothers are forced to wear sheepskin, he struts around in a fabulous rainbow-coloured coat, a gift from his adoring father. The rest of Joseph's brothers aren't too pleased with the situation, they abduct him, destroy his cherished coat, and toss him into a pit to perish and from here the story continues.
Most of the 30-strong cast, who range from second level through to third level students, are very experienced performers, Paddy told KNN and have been involved in musicals before. Séan Loftus (left) plays the role of Joseph and has been involved in musicals since he was five years old. The narrators are played by Orla Colleton and Rebecca Howard, who have also been involved with numerous musicals in their time and are accomplished actors.
Paddy said the production would not have been possible without the participation of the students who 'are a great bunch' who had given up their free time for rehearsals. He also expressed his thanks to John O’Donovan who gave them rehearsal facilities in the boys national school until the new River Bank Theatre is opened.
The show will run from the 27th to the 31st of August and tickets will be on sale at the door.
©2001gracehalford/knn