Some shows entertain you for an evening, and then some quietly shape the course of your life.
For me, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has always been the latter.
The year was 2004. I was 11 years old, preparing to leave primary school with our own school performance of Joseph.
As part of it, the school arranged a trip to Darlington’s Civic Theatre, now, of course, the Hippodrome, to see the production live.
It was my very first trip to the theatre.
I can still remember the feeling now. The hush as the lights dimmed, the explosion of colour as the curtain rose, the dazzling costumes, the infectious musical numbers. I was instantly hooked.
From then on, musical theatre had me.
Many trips followed in adulthood. My tastes broadened, changed and matured, but one show always remained close to my heart.
So, 22 years later, hearing that Darlington Operatic Society were bringing Joseph back to the Hippodrome felt less like booking a ticket and more like coming home.
And what a homecoming it was.
From the off, this production captures everything that has made Joseph such a long-standing favourite.
Bursting with energy, colour and charm, Darlington Operatic Society’s offering is a joyful celebration of one of musical theatre’s most beloved shows.
The Hippodrome stage positively sparkles beneath the technicolour spectacle. Costume design, as expected, is central to the magic of Joseph, and this production does not disappoint.
From the iconic technicoloured dreamcoat to the vibrant ensemble pieces, every scene feels rich with visual delight. It is exactly the sort of theatrical wonder that first captivated my 11-year-old self all those years ago.
The cast throw themselves wholeheartedly into the production, delivering a performance brimming with confidence and enthusiasm.
Ben Connor brings warmth and charisma to Joseph, effortlessly carrying the emotional core of the show while also rising to the demands of its many memorable musical numbers.
Meanwhile, Samantha Morrison, as the Narrator, anchors the production beautifully, guiding the audience through the biblical tale with wit, grace, and a commanding vocal performance that keeps the momentum soaring.
Musically, it is everything you could hope for.
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s score remains as irresistible as ever, with classics including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door and Go, Go, Go Joseph delivered with gusto and precision.
There is a particular joy in hearing those songs once again in the very theatre where they first captured my imagination.
At times, it felt as though I was sitting alongside that wide-eyed schoolgirl from 2004, reliving the wonder of first discovering the stage.
That sense of nostalgia is perhaps what makes this production so special.
But this is far more than a sentimental trip down memory lane.
Darlington Operatic Society have created a production that stands firmly on its own merit- lively, polished and full of heart.
For me, Joseph will always be personal. It is the show that started everything.
To return to the Hippodrome all these years later and find that same magic still alive on stage was something rather special.
Some dreams never fade, they come back in technicolour.
Darlington Operatic Society will be performing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at Darlington Hippodrome until Saturday, May 2.
To book, call the ticket hotline on 01325 244659 or book online www.darlingtonos.org.uk
Tickets start from £20, with special offers available on select dates. More information can be found by visiting: https://www.ticketsource.com/darlingtonos/joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat/p-azgq
Do you know all the colours of Joseph's amazing coat? Let us know in the comments.
