This week sees the return of the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat to our shores. This time, it is being organised by young theatre company Hoi Polloi. Coryse Borg finds out more.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat must rank up there with one of the most-loved musicals of all time. With lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and music by Tim Rice, it tells the Bible story of Joseph who is betrayed by his brothers and left for dead, after they become jealous of their father’s attention towards him.

Director, and founder of Hoi Polloi, Marco Calleja tells me that the Joseph cast has had a pretty intensive rehearsal period starting back in July.

“The cast has been working for over 10 hours weekly to learn and polish their singing, dances and acting. The whole experience is great fun and it’s really satisfying to see how an idea develops from paper to discussion to an actual scene – I’m really enjoying it all. We’re pretty much on schedule and that’s a relief but now that the performance date is with us, the hours are getting longer as the whole show comes together – and I’m getting really excited to seeing the final result and sharing it with our audiences,” he says.

The cast of Joseph is huge - over 70 people whose ages vary from seven to over 40. So Mr Calleja really has his work cut out for him!

“Luckily, the cast has bonded together so well that age is not issue,” he says, “All that matters is the team work and the sense of unity to make this show work. I couldn’t have asked for a better cast and I am so proud and honoured to be working with all of them.”

Mr Calleja declares that people should watch Joseph because it has something for everyone – different styles of music ranging from Western to disco to reggae; different dance genres from ballet to tango; the comic scenes; the serious scenes; the costumes; the wonderful story… it is a highly “technicoloured production”, he quips.

Katherine Brown will be playing the part of the Narrator – a pivotal character who guides the audience through the story.

“The main challenge that I’ve been facing is the sheer volume of music to learn, says this accomplished singer, “The Narrator is on the stage for almost the whole show and is singing much of the time.  Every time I think I’ve learned it all, I find there’s something else! On the plus side, the singing is superb, the dancing is fantastic, the cast is enthusiastic and the children’s choir are great.  I challenge anyone to come to this show and not leave with a smile!”

This is his third time that Ralph Mangion will have taken part in this musical, with three different theatre companies. For the MADC in 1994, he played the Cook and Simeon (one of Joseph’s brothers); for ActReact in 2000, he played Simeon again as well as the butler. This time, for Hoi Polloi, he is playing Reuben (the eldest of the brothers) as well as the Egyptian millionaire who owns Joseph as his slave – Potiphar.

“I don’t think there are any bad roles in this musical, all are so lively and fun to play, especially for the men; they are practically on stage throughout the whole show. Playing Potiphar is such fun. It gives me the chance to play a funny, camp character who is buried within his power and riches and is losing his wife’s love as she turns to other men. Oh, and next time - if there is a next time - I wouldn’t mind playing the part of the Pharaoh!” he smiles. Kate De Cesare plays the flirtatious Mrs Potiphar who attempts to seduce Joseph while her husband counts his money downstairs. She says that the best part of taking part in this production is being a part of an excellent production with a great cast, and a first class director, choreographer and musical director and the positive energy felt in every rehearsal.

“Also I do enjoy playing fun roles like this… and I love my hat!” she laughs, “The worst would be that I’m only in one scene and seeing that the rest of the cast is having, I would love to be taking part in the dancing and singing with the rest of them.”

• Hoi Polloi’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat is being staged at the Mediterranean Conference Centre tomorrow and on Saturday. Tickets may be obtained from the MCC booking office or online: www.mcc.com.mt.