They raised the roof with their singing and, at the end of a four-night run, the cast of Harrogate High School’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” inspired the audience to a standing ovation.
Joining in the accolades, school principal Andrew Bayston described the performance as “a definition of joy” and he urged the audience to acknowledge “some very special young people.”
His comment embraced everyone – singers, dancers, musicians as well all those people from front of house to backstage who ensured a memorable evening.
It was a wonderful show, made all the more special with choirs from five local primary schools – Coppice Valley, Woodfield, Hookstone Chase, Willow Tree and Starbeck – lending support to the main cast on consecutive evenings, with Coppice Valley and Woodfield sharing the role on opening night.
They graced the scene in their colourful commemorative T-shirts and certainly exercised the neck muscles of their admiring parents whose gaze was torn between the colourful extravaganza on stage and the performance of their young charges to the right!
The school’s head of performing arts and show director Judith Howe said:
The performances were very uplifting for all involved. Working with our primary partner schools added a further dimension and we are already planning further joint events.
There were some emotional scenes at the end of the last night’s production as Mrs Samantha Hastings, who choreographed the show and also gave a cameo performance as Potiphar’s wife, bid farewell to Year 13 students taking part in their last production.
There was special mention too for the school’s performing arts technician, Mr Stuart Hutchinson. He was stage manager, in charge of prop construction, handled production of the programme and publicity and, for good measure, brought his established acting talents to the role of Jacob.
Musical director Mrs Helen Mills conducted a lively and polished performance by the musicians which was enhanced by her coordination of the primary school choirs’ excellent contribution.
Finally the principal thanked Andy Hardy of Truesound who gave his services to achieve the superb lighting and sound which befitted such a stirring production in the school’s refurbished theatre.
On stage David McCabe won over hearts and minds in the role of Joseph while his brother Sam (Reuben) led the 11 energetic scheming brothers who sent Joseph into captivity.
James White doubled with great success in the roles of Potiphar and Pharaoh and there was all-round support from the talented collection of singers and dancers, too numerous to mention here, who clearly relished their part in Judith Howe’s lovely, lively production.
