THERE was dancing in the aisles when Bill Kenwright's brilliantly cast production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat lit up Birmingham's Hippodrome Theatre.

The much-loved show proved to be as popular as ever - largely due to an excellent cast headed by Richard Swerrun as the lead character who makes a living out of bouncing back.

It also, of course, boasts a fantastic musical score by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, which includes such timeless gems as Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do.

Worthy of the most praise for a fantastic and polished performance has to be the narrator, Abigail Jaye, who exudes confidence and showmanship and has a fabulous voice.

Marlon Moore is also worthy of a mention for his portrayal of the Elvis-inspired Pharoah, whose performance of the Song of the King roused laughter in the appreciative audience and was also a good opportunity to showcase the diversity of the show's wardrobe.

The star on the costume front has got to be - albeit predictably - Joseph's coat at the end of the show, however, which literally filled the stage and gave way to an encore lasting at least half an hour and a standing ovation. BH