It’s hard to believe Pop Up Productions only burst onto the scene a year ago with their inaugural show: Cats.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat – staged last weekend at Spittal – was another spectacular display of local young talent.
Aged between seven and 20 years old, each of the 50 performers played their part in creating an infectious, joyful vibe which kept us entertained from start to finish.
Expert directors Lisa and Laura, and their experienced crew, may have had something to do with it too – the staging was ingenious and the sound and lighting was professional standard.
There were some stand out performances: Joseph (Sonny) sang and danced with the cool confidence of a popstar; Pharoh (Anton) was just hilarious as he worked the crowd; the narrators brilliantly mastered those famously challenging melodies and the faux grief of the brothers was truly comical.
Yet, it was the ensemble which stole the show – the colourful ‘Joseph’s Coat,’ Pharoh’s ‘Seven Fat Cows’ Elvis-style rock fest and the brothers’ Jamaican calypso number to save (a very cute) Benjamin – were particularly dazzling.
Indeed, the most heartwarming element of this, and Pop Up’s other shows to date, is the way these young people pull together and give everything they’ve got.
Their exuberance, sense of humour and the way they share the glory is extraordinary. They look after each other and they work hard. It’s a pleasure to watch.
1. Cast
The cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Photo: Pop Up Productions
3. Potiphar
Seven-year-old Hugo Wise who played Potiphar was the youngest cast member. Photo: Pop Up Productions
