Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Bradford Alhambra

JUST WALKING on stage in his revealing Joseph togs is enough for Joe McElderry to attract thunderous acclaim from a large chunk of the audience.

But the X Factor-winning singer has far more to offer than pretty pecs and a winning smile as he plays the title role in the always-entertaining family musical.

He’s one of the best-ever Josephs, not only a fantastic singer and hugely-likeable stage presence, but giving a seriously believable edge to the iconic character.

He’s partnered with one of the best-ever Narrators, Lucy Kay, whose classical voice training provides a muscular backbone to a performance full of confidence and charm.

Despite Joe and 11 other lovable brothers belting out Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s wonderful songs, Lucy rules the stage every moment she’s on.

Ben James-Ellis ticks all the necessary boxes as the Elvis-like Pharaoh, rock ‘n’ rolling with the best of them in Song of the King and, in my opinion, being the first Pharoah to make a success of Lloyd Webber’s ballad King of My Heart, which was added to the show in 2007.

Elsewhere, the show is as it’s always been: an irresistible rollercoaster ride through the biblical story of Joseph the dreamer who annoys his siblings so much that they sell him into slavery.

Once in Egypt, Joseph rises above adversity to become the Pharaoh’s right-hand man, then 14 years later has an emotional reunion with the brothers who betrayed him and the father who loved him.

• Until Saturday, Bradford Alhambra. Visit bradford-theatres.co.uk or call 01274 432000 to book tickets.

David Knights