Introduction
The Musical
“Joseph” was originally
written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice as a 15 minute piece
to be performed by a school choir in 1968.
It has since developed into one of the most famous musicals of
all time, having an extended Broadway run and is currently
running in the West End, it’s third such run. It is estimated
that more than 20,000 schools and amateur theatre groups have
put on
productions of Joseph over the years.
Synopsis
The story is based on the Biblical story of Joseph, found in the
book of Genesis. A narrator tells the story to children of
Joseph, a great dreamer, and his coat of many colours. Jealous
of his coat, and concerned by his dreams, his brothers sell him
into slavery in Egypt, where he serves a wealthy Egyptian, is
then imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit and finds he can
interpret dreams.
After Egypt’s Pharaoh hears of his skill, he asks Joseph to
interpret a dream for him and rewards him for the knowledge,
becoming one of Egypt’s most powerful men. Back home his
brothers are suffering and head to Egypt to find food. Instead
they find Joseph, who initially tries to trap them, but seeing
their penitence reveals himself and is reunited with his father.
