Go Go Go Adam Filipe!
The smash-hit London Palladium production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returns to Leeds Grand Theatre from Tue 25 – Sat 29 March. Starring in the title role, Adam Filipe tells us what it’s like to perform in one of the world’s most beloved musicals.
Written by Guest Author
An iconic show
What appealed to you about the show?
It is such an iconic part of British musical theatre, and it has transcended a lot of other musicals in a sort of magical way. It’s been a part of British culture since the 1970s and has been a vehicle for celebrities throughout the years. It’s just got such hype surrounding it, so it was always something that I wanted to do. I performed in the show when I was a kid as well, but I was in the choir. Now I get to play the lead and it’s incredibly exciting!
Can you recall when you first encountered the musical?
I probably first saw it at the Bournemouth Pavilion, back when I was at Stagecoach and all of us had auditioned to be in the choir. I was the only one in my school who didn’t get in because my singing wasn’t quite so strong at the time. I think that was the start of my “I’m going to play him one day” journey. I worked hard and made it into the choir eventually and now here I am playing Joseph himself!
Why do you think the show has endured?
For one thing, there is such a history to it and people keep coming back to see it. It’s probably a 50/50 split between people who have seen it before and people who are coming to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat not knowing what it is. But I think it’s in that traditional way of storytelling, where generations are passing down the story to other generations. People who were taken to see it by their parents or grandparents are now old enough to take their own kids to the show. It draws three generations.
The ensemble in rehearsals for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Credit Tristram Kenton.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Credit Tristram Kenton
Becoming Joseph
What first got you hooked on performing?
It was when I saw Michael Jackson doing the moonwalk. I was into kickboxing at the time and that was what I thought I was going to do professionally. Then I saw MJ doing the moonwalk in that Billie Jean video and that put me onto the idea of performing. Musical theatre-wise, I saw Les Misérables with my dad in 2012 or 2013 and I was like “Right, that’s it! That’s what I’m going to do for the rest of my life.” I went to the Arts Educational School in Chiswick and straight after that I was in Les Misérables. Some people get launched straight into the spotlight after college, but I started as a swing in Les Misérables and I’m grateful that I have climbed the ladder. I’m in a very fortunate position now, but I feel like to some degree I’ve earned my stripes. I’ve been a swing, an understudy and in a supporting role. I hope that’s taught me throughout the years how to treat every element of our team because I have a very good relationship with the swing team and I have a very good relationship with my understudies.
What makes Joseph such an iconic musical theatre character?
I think it’s his charm; it’s his naivety and the arc that he has. He starts the show as a young man and something bad happens to him, so I feel like people sort of want to care for him. Plus, with the show in general, it’s got so many great songs and a story that audiences can really get behind.
Adam Filipe in rehearsals. Credit Tristram Kenton.
He’s been played by so many people before you. How are you making the role your own?
I’m sort of trusting that I’ve been influenced enough by the previous Josephs because I’ve grown up with it. I loved the filmed version with Donny Osmond as Joseph and I watched it again for inspiration but without wanting to copy how he did it. I’m bringing my take and my flavour to the role whilst trusting that the years of being immersed in Joseph culture is doing its thing without me really knowing it!
Have you had to get fit for the famous loincloth?
[Laughs] There isn’t a loincloth now. I’ve got these baggy trousers, which I call the Jac Yarrow genie pants because he wore the same style in the London Palladium revival. They’re like baggy farmer pants rather than a loincloth. But there are probably about five minutes total in the show where I have a top on, so I’m staying in shape. I’m a very active person anyway, but I’ve got a routine together that’s a mixture of intermittent fasting, going to the gym and just eating sensibly.
Adam Filipe as Joseph. Credit Tristram Kenton.
Life on tour
Have you done much touring before this and what are you looking forward to about it?
I’ve been quite lucky in that I’ve done a lot of international stuff and regional stuff, but I’ve only done one tour before and that was Titanic in 2023. We hit a lot of the same venues that we’re going to on this tour, but there’s a lot of new ones that I haven’t done and that’s one of the joys of the job. I like to get out and see what a new place has to offer and I also have my thing that grounds me – which is mixed martial arts, especially jujitsu. If I’m feeling a bit homesick, I know that I can go and find a gym. The community around jujitsu is so tight and everyone speaks the same language. I would say the only thing in any way near a ritual that I have is that I like to go and find a jujitsu club in any town or city that I’m in.
Are there any stops on the tour that are dear to your heart?
My lot are fairly local to Southampton, so that’s where my tribe comes in their hordes to see something that I’m in. I’m British Portuguese but I grew up in Salisbury, and most of my family are Wiltshire or Hampshire-based.
What do you hope audiences take away from seeing the show?
A lot of musicals are loaded with messages and heavy-thinking, but with Joseph, it’s all about having a wonderful, joyous time. I hope they like our new twist on a classic that also pays homage to all the productions of Joseph that have come before. I hope they feel like they’ve seen a familiar version of Joseph that’s also got a nice new kick of energy to it.
The ensemble in rehearsals for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Credit Tristram Kenton.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Credit Tristram Kenton
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