PREVIEW: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Liverpool Empire

The brand-new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic show is at the venue from June 6-11.

Jason - who came to fame as Scott Robinson in Australian soap Neighbours - played Pharaoh in Joseph at the London Palladium in 2019 and 2021, sharing the stage once again with Linzi Hateley as Narrator and Jac Yarrow, ready to don the famous coat in the title role.

Linzi Hateley is an Olivier Award nominee and Theatre World Award winner who has starred on Broadway, in the West End, with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and at the National Theatre.

Jac Yarrow (Joseph) and the company of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’. Picture: Tristram Kenton

She returns to the role of the Narrator, having first starred in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1991 opposite Jason Donovan and Phillip Schofield at the London Palladium – for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.

Jason Donovan was originally in the show when he made his defining stage performance as the title character of Joseph in the 1990s, in a sold-out 18-month run which produced a No.1 single and best-selling soundtrack album.

Jason raised the roof of the London Palladium during the show’s 2019 and 2021 engagements as Pharaoh, who rocks Song of the King in the musical.

Jason Donovan and cast. Picture: Tristram Kenton

Jac Yarrow caused a sensation when he made his professional stage debut playing Joseph, following in the footsteps of a line of stars who have previously played the title character.

His portrayal of Joseph won him unanimous acclaim and an Olivier Award nomination, with his rendition of Close Every Door To Me regularly stopping the show with standing ovations.

Producer Michael Harrison said: "After two sensational runs at The London Palladium, I am delighted to bring this joyous show to the Empire Theatre, Liverpool next summer as Joseph prepares to unite audiences and spread happiness across the UK.

"Our 'dream team' casting will enchant newcomers and longstanding fans alike; Jac Yarrow has wowed audiences and critics with his spectacular debut and attendees should be prepared for the roof to be raised when Jason Donovan steps on stage.

"Linzi Hateley is confirmed to return to her role as Narrator when we perform in Liverpool having delivered a delightful dose of nostalgia to audiences at special performances of Joseph at the London Palladium this summer. Go! Go! Go! Joseph!"

Linzi Hateley and cast at The London Palladium. Picture: Tristram Kenton

Released as a concept album in 1969, the stage version of Joseph has become one of the world’s most beloved family musicals.

The multi-award-winning show, which began life as a small-scale school concert, has been performed hundreds of thousands of times including multiple runs in the West End and on Broadway, international number one tours, and productions in over 80 countries as far afield as Austria and Zimbabwe and from Israel to Peru.

The show features songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre standards, including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me, Jacob and Sons, There’s One More Angel In Heaven and Go Go Go Joseph.

Told entirely through song with the help of the Narrator, it is the story of Jacob's favourite son Joseph and his eleven brothers.

After being sold into hardship by the brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled showman, the Pharaoh.

As Joseph strives to resolve Egypt’s famine, he becomes Pharaoh’s right-hand man and eventually reunites with his family.

Tickets are from https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/