As Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat heads to Birmingham Hippodrome, stars Adam Filipe and Christina Bianco talk legacy, laughter and bringing bold new energy to a much-loved classic.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat comes to the Birmingham Hippodrome from Thursday 22 May to Sunday 1 June.
With its dazzling colours, instantly recognisable score and joyous energy, Joseph has long been a musical theatre favourite. Now, in a bold and vibrant touring production from the London Palladium, it’s back with a fresh perspective, familiar faces and two stand-out performers at its heart.
Stepping into the famous coat is Adam Filipe, while the show’s storyteller is in the hands of Broadway and West End star Christina Bianco. Together, they’re helping to reimagine a classic, blending nostalgia with a new kind of magic.
The lead role of Joseph comes with an impressive legacy, having been famously played by so many iconic performers – a fact that could easily feel daunting. But for Adam, the experience has been more surreal than stressful.
Adam Filipe steps into the iconic coat as Joseph in a bold reimagining of the classic musical.
“Do you know what, I think maybe I would feel more pressure if I wasn’t doing it in front of them as well. We did it with Donny (Osmond) in Edinburgh and I was doing it with Joe (McElderry). It’s going to be with Jason Donovan as well in Southampton. They’ve all been so gracious with that baton passing. There’s been a couple moments where I’ve been like, ‘Oh God, I’m singing this in front of Donny Osmond’, but I’ve always been met with so much love and support.”
This latest production doesn’t shy away from the musical’s rich history, but it’s not afraid to make it feel current. “We’ve got a production that honours the Josephs that you may have seen growing up, whilst still keeping it fresh for a brand new generation,” he explains. “It’s such a variety of musical styles that there is something in it for everybody.’
So, what’s his favourite number? “Close Every Door,” he says without hesitation. “It’s one moment that I can really let rip. This show is like being fired out of a cannon at the beginning – it’s so fast-paced. Even though it’s probably the hardest thing I sing in the show, it’s a nice moment for me to breathe and everything slows down. It’s just me and the audience.”
Adam Filipe as Joseph joins forces with Birmingham favourite Matt Slack
While Joseph’s journey takes him from playful teen to Pharaoh’s right-hand man, Adam admits it’s not the emotional arc that’s the challenge; instead it’s striking the balance between personal interpretation and audience expectation. “A lot of people have an idea of what they want when they come to see Joseph and so I have to be true to what I think the character is, but also what I think they want to see too.”
Having previously performed in Les Misérables and Titanic, Adam’s enjoying the shift in mood. “It’s definitely the happiest musical I’ve ever done. I think smiling so much on stage, whether it’s ‘pretend’ or not, you trick your brain into just being. This is probably the most consistently happy I’ve been doing a production.”
And when it comes to returning to Birmingham? “One of my best mates is from here, so I love visiting him. I remember I ate so well and I tried some really, really good food because the Hippodrome is just opposite Chinatown and they’ve got some amazing restaurants”.
Broadway and West End star Christina Bianco takes on the role of Narrator
Adam is joined on stage by native New Yorker Christina, best known for her incredible vocal impressions. She has played the Narrator in Joseph before, but this time she’s bringing her own voice to the role. “I’ve played this role in a production in Chicago – it was set as a Las Vegas fever dream. So, I’ve already done it with impressions of Celine Dion, Cher, Bette Miller, Liza Minnelli and Britney Spears. When people heard that I was doing it now, they expected me to be doing impressions, but I’m really happy to say that I play this with Christina Bianco’s voice.”
That’s not to say she doesn’t have some fun with it. “I get to do a few things that the Narrator doesn’t normally do and play other characters. When I play Jacob, I put on a more of a masculine voice and a British accent. We tweak Those Canaan Days a little – in the script it says, ‘Allah: Edith Piaf’, so I just took the opportunity to be Edith Piaf.”
What makes this production stand out, Christina believes, is how it reimagines the role of the Narrator. “I think Joseph took itself a little more seriously the more popular it got, and rightfully so. And then the role of the Narrator changed, and it really became more of this true storyteller who’s not just at the sidelines, but on the side of the stage very often.”
Having grown up listening to the show and even performing in it as a child, she is thrilled to be leading this version. “When I sing Jacob and Sons and start the story, that’s when I get tingly every night. I think, I cannot believe I get to do this. I was in the production as a kid, but I watched it wide-eyed and listened to the cast recordings my whole life.”
Packed with joy, colour, and unforgettable tunes — this fresh take on Joseph truly has something for everyone.
And how’s the chemistry with her co-star? “Adam is just the greatest human,” she says. “We got along immediately. He’s so talented and so funny and so playful. We bounce off of each other very well. That playfulness is something that is key in this production. Our director, Laurence Connor, and our associate director, Nikki Wollaston, really make sure that we keep that within the show, that playfulness, that joy, to keep it fresh.”
She hasn’t performed in Birmingham before, but she’s excited to spend some time in the city. “Everyone tells me it’s so lovely and I’m really glad we’re there for two weeks because it will give me a proper opportunity to explore.”
And what would she say to anyone considering a trip to see this show? “It sounds really cliched to say, but there really is something for everybody – but this is not the same production you’ve seen before. Whether you love Joseph or not, you’re going to come see a show with the most talented vocalists, incredible dancers, bright colours and hummable, memorable tunes. It’s filled with such joy, and love and positivity – everybody needs that right now.”
