When the Ensemble Steals the Show: Joseph Returns to Joburg
It's rare that I find myself writing a review toward the end of a production's run rather than at its opening. But after missing the initial Johannesburg season of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, I was thrilled to hear that popular demand had brought this technicolor whirlwind back to the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino. And now, having experienced it, I understand completely why audiences kept clamoring for more.
I've seen Joseph many times over the years. My first encounter was through the 1999 filmed version starring Donny Osmond, a production that left such an impression on me that I spent my school years secretly wishing our drama department would choose it as our major production. (They never did, much to my disappointment.) Since then, I've caught various incarnations in Johannesburg, each one a testament to how this show has become a theatrical perennial, returning every couple of years like a beloved friend who never quite wears out their welcome.
There's good reason for its staying power. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's score is infectious, a kaleidoscopic journey through musical styles that somehow makes a biblical tale feel utterly contemporary. It has evolved into one of the most performed musicals worldwide and you can hear in Joseph the DNA of many of Andrew Lloyd Webber's later works. There's also something uniquely playful here, a willingness to wink at the audience while still delivering genuine emotional punches.
But here's what makes any revival challenging: with a show this familiar, audiences need a reason to return. We know the songs. We know the story. We can probably sing "Any Dream Will Do" in our sleep. So what does this production bring to the table that justifies another ticket purchase?
The answer, quite simply, is spectacle, and a cast that understands that sometimes, the whole is spectacularly greater than the sum of its parts.
Under the direction of Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander, with choreography by Alexander and Jared Schaedler, this production is unapologetically big, bright, and bold. Niall Griffin's design work transforms the stage into a visual feast: incredibly vibrant, full-on, and alive despite using virtually no props. The lighting, sound, and costumes work in glorious harmony to create what I've heard others describe as the campest version of Joseph yet, and I can confirm: the shorts are tighter, the facial expressions more extreme, the innuendos more thinly veiled. It's flamboyant, it's fun, and it absolutely commits to the bit.
But what truly elevates this production above mere spectacle is something unexpected: the ensemble of brothers completely steals the show.
Here's where things get interesting. In a musical literally named after its title character, where Joseph and his dreamcoat are supposed to be the main attraction, this production proves that star power isn't everything. Joseph and Pharaoh (typically the marquee roles that sell tickets) are vocally weaker than I've experienced in previous productions. To be fair, I suspect their voices were tired (it was their third performance of the day, at the tail end of what's been a long, sold-out tour), but the reality is that these roles didn't quite land with the vocal power and charisma I've come to expect.
Yet somehow, the show doesn't just survive this, it thrives.
The ensemble of brothers is nothing short of spectacular. Led by the extraordinary Lelo Ramisimong as the Narrator, whose performance anchors the entire evening with warmth, humor, and a voice that could stop traffic, the brothers deliver a masterclass in ensemble work. Their voices blend in gorgeous harmonies while maintaining distinct, hilarious characters. Their chemistry is palpable: you genuinely believe these are siblings who've spent too much time together and know exactly how to push each other's buttons. Whether they're plotting Joseph's downfall in "One More Angel in Heaven" or strutting through their various musical pastiches, they're electric.
And can we talk about the athleticism? This cast is in extraordinary shape, and the choreography by Duane Alexander and Jared Schaedler demands nothing less. They leap, tumble, and flip across the stage with such high energy and precision that it's genuinely inspiring to watch. There are no weak links and every performer matches vocal excellence with physical prowess, turning the stage into a playground of incredible athletic feats. It's exhausting just watching them, and yet they make it look effortless, maintaining that energy throughout the entire production.
This is ensemble theatre at its finest, and it raises a fascinating question about what we value in musical theatre. We're conditioned to focus on the leads, to evaluate productions based on how well Joseph hits his high notes or how Elvis-y the Pharaoh can get. But Joseph is fundamentally an ensemble piece - it's about eleven brothers and the family dysfunction that drives the entire plot. When the ensemble is this strong, when they bring this much energy, character work, and vocal excellence, they remind us that sometimes the supporting players aren't supporting at all, they're the foundation.
It's a lesson worth remembering in an era increasingly dominated by stunt casting and celebrity draws. Sometimes, the show succeeds not because of who's top-billed, but because of the collective talent lifting everyone around them.
The result is a production that has rightfully earned its sold-out runs in both Cape Town and Johannesburg. It breathes new life into a show we've all seen countless times, proving that familiarity doesn't breed contempt when the execution is this joyful, this committed, this alive.
If you're looking for a fun night out filled with great music, dazzling visuals, and performances that will leave you humming for days, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat delivers in spades. Just don't expect the title character to be the star of his own show—and you might find that's exactly what makes it so special.
Sometimes, the coat of many colors looks best when worn by many.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs at the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino until the 1st of February 2026.