After four decades, Oliver brings a bold, reimagined musical to Bengaluru

When Bengalurian Kevin Oliver was 19, he directed the renowned musical ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ to much acclaim. Now, over forty years later, the musical is making a comeback to the city. With his rich experience over the decades in theatre, this time it is a reimagined, bold and contemporary take on the legendary musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The sung-through musical, full of catchy songs, and based on the character of Joseph from the Bible’s 'Book of Genesis', is a timeless story of family, mistakes and forgiveness that continues to resonate.

Oliver, who relocated from Bengaluru to Dubai in the mid-80s, wears many hats — musician, playwright, theatre director, teacher and fashion choreographer and is recognised for his extensive contributions to the performing arts and fashion industry.

As one of the youngest directors in Bengaluru when he first staged ‘Joseph’ in the late ’70s, Oliver went on to produce several musicals including 'Cats', 'Starlight Express' and 'Give a Dog a Bone'. From comedies, thrillers, tragedies, absurd dramas, farces and romantic dramas, Oliver has a repertoire of plays such as 'A StreetCar Named Desire', 'What the Butler Saw', 'Veronica’s Room', 'The Witness', 'Shadow Box', 'The Maids' and 'Kalidasa’s Shakuntala' to name a few.

Excerpts from the interview:

As a Bengaluru boy active in English theatre before going overseas, what does it mean to stage this musical again?

I am a Bangalore boy at heart. I have travelled around the world, worked in many cities but had to come back and do a musical in the city that gave me my first break at the age of 19. So much has happened since then, a long creative journey. It means everything to me to give Bengaluru a musical that is fun, special, dazzling and so entertaining.

What drove you to stage this musical again?

I did ‘Joseph’ on a budget of Rs 1,000. It was my first. I thought why not take that very first musical and reinvent it, spin it around and give it a twist that would make an audience enjoy every moment.

How different will this be from the original and earlier productions of Joseph?

I am a director who hates not being original and I am trying to get as different as I can get from other versions of this musical and my previous versions of it too.

Firstly, this version is all-male with a female guest artist; 75 male vocals hit the stage hoping to give audiences goosebumps.

The music and the story remain the same, the rest is my madness. There will be nine narrators instead of just one, their voices range from deep bass to the highest counter-tenor. Fashion plays an important part, gone are the comedic, colourful satins and usual high school costuming. We have taken ‘couture’ to a new level; from the first image you see on stage to the last glimpse, it will linger long after the music fades off.

The JD School of Design is collaborating with us; we are producing fabric textures that’s stunning and original.

The show is billed as “a bold, contemporary take”. Elaborate please?

I am going to bring a very bold look to the show. The main styling is done by two international designers. The depth of the story line is being examined and fleshed out; the moods and the journey of young Joseph is being told in more detail — the bullying, the sadness of being thrown in jail, the loneliness, the sorrow of intense rejection.

Are you satisfied with the talent you found in Bengaluru?

The talent here is amazing. We are combining the high school talents of six local schools with the wonderful Bangalore Men’s Choir who join us. The rest of the voices come from men who have a variety of vocal talent be it from church choirs or local bands.

This pop opera is loud and there are Rock elements to the harmony structures.

Written over 50 years ago, this musical has an enduring appeal.

I have always loved the music of Joseph; a mix of all genres of music, hummable tunes. That’s why every Tom, Dick and Harry has staged it.

'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' will be staged on July 17, 18 and 19, 8 pm at Good Shepherd Auditorium, Museum Road. Tickets online.