Some elements of popular culture are so ingrained that we no longer refer to them by their full name (think Strictly, Les Mis, Corrie…), and Joseph is firmly among that number. A family favourite for many decades, this gleeful romp through ancient lands never fails to bring joy, and the current production of Joseph at Birmingham Hippodrome is no exception. The catchy and well-loved tunes (Any Dream Will Do, Go Go Go Joseph, Jacob And Sons…) keep toes tapping long after the final curtain has fallen, and even the most un-musical of souls will be hard-pressed not to hum a tune or two on the bus home.

From country boy to Pharaoh’s right-hand man, via victim of attempted fratricide and a spell in jail, Adam Filipe is a superb Joseph. He brings such character to the part, and his emotional performance of Close Every Door leaves not a dry eye in the house.

Joseph’s shift from arrogant young man to innocent prisoner may tug at the audience’s heartstrings, but one can completely understand why the brothers were more than a little irritated by Jacob’s preferential treatment of their bumptious sibling. Selling Joseph into slavery may arguably have been a step too far, but of course justice ultimately prevails and Filipe lights up the stage once more in his dazzling coat of many colours.

As the Narrator, Christina Bianco holds the whole show together, her voice and stage presence perfectly suited to this demanding role. She switches effortlessly from glamorous singer to play the aged Jacob (with the nifty addition of a long white beard) and suddenly she convinces us to feel more than a little sorry for this benevolent Old Testament patriarch. Despite his overt favouritism towards Joseph, Jacob surely does not deserve to be duped by his manipulative sons into thinking that Joseph has been savaged to death by a goat. And the fact that Jacob falls for their absurd tale (just one absurdity amongst many) underlines another reason for the show’s stellar success; if ever there were a piece of theatre that does not take itself too seriously, then this is it.

And as for the ultimate cameo of cameo performances, there can be nobody better suited to playing Pharaoh in the Birmingham production of Joseph than Matt Slack, local legend and beloved lynchpin of many a Hippodrome panto. Pompous and overbearing, comically risqué with the odd hint of pantomime dame, he commands the stage as he channels his inner Elvis.

Slack’s performance is brief but irresistible, and leaves the entire audience wanting more.

This London Palladium production of Joseph, transported wholesale to Birmingham, is as slick and sumptuous as one would expect of a West End musical. The technicolour dreamcoat is spectacular, the fast-paced choreography is a delight, and the cast’s level of enthusiasm makes for a captivating experience.

Despite its longevity, Joseph has lost none of its youthful exuberance and is ready to be discovered by a whole new generation of future lifelong fans. Whether you are watching this Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber favourite for the first time or the 21st, prepare to be entranced by a truly wonderful show.

Five stars

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was reviewed by Rachel Smith on Thursday 22 May at Birmingham Hippodrome, where it shows until Sunday 1 June.