New Joseph, New Dreamcoat
With the Andrew Lloyd Webber / Tim Rice musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat open at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre, the newly reimagined production is having its first staging outside the West End. Featuring a dazzling new Dreamcoat, it stars Euan Fistrovic Doidge as Joseph. Euan spoke to Neil Litchfield.
Check out rehearsal footage here.
Long before Jesus Christ Superstar appeared, when Phantom of the Opera wasn’t even a figment of Andrew Lloyd Webber's imagination, two young Brits wrote a pop/rock school musical, one that has gone on to be performed by more than 40,000 schools and amateur theatres in the ensuing fifty years.
Reworked into a full length musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat has since notched up numerous major professional productions over five continents.
Now it’s back with a new production and a new Joseph, Euan Fistrovic Doidge, who is no stranger to some of the trials and tribulations faced by the Old Testament’s favourite son.
“As a young boy growing up in a small country town, being the only dancer, I definitely felt moments of being an outcast. I guess it's going to be the whole journey of exploring Joseph in my version of what fits me once we get into the room, and, from the audition process, I think they are very open to allowing that, which is exciting.”
Joseph, that lad from the book of Genesis, is a real time-warp from Euan’s latest role as Blaine in Cruel Intentions: the ‘90s Musical, a contemporary spin on Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
“Cruel Intentions is a scandalous story based on a classic ‘90s cult film but it's so enjoyable for me. I get to sing some incredible iconic ‘90s songs and it's always fun being that mysterious person and getting to explore that. I never compare any role to the next one because it's all about the character. That's just the joy of what we get to do as performers - exploring those themes and emotions that whatever character may bring - so I'm having an absolute ball.
“It's going to be a rude shock stepping out of Blaine’s shoes and into Joseph's coat, but again that's the most exciting part. There’s never a dull moment in the theatre.”
Joseph’s Dreamcoat has taken a dazzling trip to the tailor, too, for the show’s latest reboot, and Euan is impressed. His response?
“Wow! I get to wear that iconic piece of clothing that people know and love. Just putting it on kind of transforms you into a feeling of knowing what it’s going to be like getting to wear that every night.”
The Andrew Lloyd Webber (sorry, Baron Lloyd Webber), and (Sir) Tim Rice songs are variously dubbed ‘iconic’ or ‘classic’, but Ewan is looking forward to the challenge.
“The whole show is entirely sung. I haven't done a show like that since Les Mis, so that is going to be difficult, but I do love a challenge.
“A lot of people ask - ‘Have you done research? Have you watched this, and have you watched the old production?’ I will watch clips, maybe once, just to get a gauge of previous productions, but I'd like to go in there with a fresh mind. ‘Close Every Door’ is a beautiful song, it's known by so many people, and it’s his big song - his moment of stepping into his adult side and taking charge. I’m super excited to be singing that song; it's the one I got to do in the audition, so I’ve got a feel and a gauge of what that's going entail for me.”
How will ‘Close Every Door’ challenge Euan?
“It’s not in a super high register for me but it requires so much emotion. Doing that eight times a week, and going to that place every day is difficult in itself, but it comes a little bit later in the show so the build-up is what will help me actually get through it as well.”
While he’ll go into rehearsals with a fresh mind, how does Euan prepare himself for the first day of rehearsals?
“It varies based on the production that I'm doing and how comfortable I feel with the role. I'll definitely have my opinions on it, or my ideas of how he should be portrayed, but sometimes that's not always the right way, so it's always good going in there with some sort of idea and then building on that together creatively; my favourite part of the creative process is doing that collaboratively and that's what makes it unique to whoever it is that's getting to play any role.
“Also, I like being super familiar with the music before I go in. I like to be prepared, knowing what I'm singing, what the words are, so that when I'm in the room it's purely based on the story and the journey that I'm going to go on throughout the piece.”
The love and support Euan has received since the casting was announced has been incredible, he tells me - far more than he ever imagined.
“It's been 30 years since a production has been here in Australia and this new version is super exciting because it's going have all the elements that people know from the original but have a new take on things, which is always fun and enjoyable to play - it can be new to people who know it well, but for those that don't know it, I'm sure it'll be an absolute joy for them to come and see this production.
“And having Paulini as the Narrator is going to be incredible.”
Euan has starred as Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever, Felicia in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and as Marius in Les Misérables, and was the youngest ever ‘Helpmann Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical’ nominee for A Chorus Line. He’s also appeared in Fun Home, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Pippin, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde and Grease. But does he have a favourite career role or show to date?
“Definitely Priscilla and playing the role of Felicia. I absolutely loved that role, what the production meant and the themes that were involved - and getting to share that well known Australian story eight times a week. I was so proud of that production and what the show represented. Also, my husband and I first got together on that show, so it definitely has a special place in my heart.”
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat began performances at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from November 11, 2022, with a Sydney season at the Capitol Theatre to follow from February 11, 2023. www.josephthemusical.com.au
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