A TECHNICOLOUR treat awaits audiences at the Cambridge Corn Exchange this Christmas. Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the Corn Exchange s Christmas show, and this latest production of the popular Andrew Lloyd Webber promises to be a spectac

A TECHNICOLOUR treat awaits audiences at the Cambridge Corn Exchange this Christmas.

Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the Corn Exchange's Christmas show, and this latest production of the popular Andrew Lloyd Webber promises to be a spectacular one, featuring all the classic songs including Any Dream will Do.

The show retells the biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers, and the coat of many colours.

The first performance of Joseph the musical took place in March 1968 at Colet Court School in London. Lloyd Webber, whose younger brother, Julian, attended the school, had been asked to write a "pop cantata" for the school choir to sing during their end of term concert. He approached his friend Tim Rice, who suggested they focus it on the biblical story of Joseph.

Although this original incantation lasted just 15 minutes, the seed had been sewn in the minds of Lloyd Webber and Rice, and the show was born.

Joseph has remained a firm favourite with audiences ever since it first opened in the West End in 1973, and stars such as Jason Donovan, Phillip Schofield, and the late Stephen Gately have filled the lead role in the past.

It is thought to have been performed more than 15,000 times in the last 30 years, and producers estimate that about 500 amateur productions of the show take place every year in this country, with another 750 being put on worldwide.

The Cambridge production will see Craig Chalmers don the famous multi-coloured coat. The 27-year old was a finalist in the Any Dream will Do television series, which was held to select a Joseph to appear in the West End production of the show. Although he lost out to winner Lee Mead, he will now lead a cast for the Corn Exchange run and the subsequent UK tour the production will be embarking upon.

Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opens at the Cambridge Corn Exchange on Tuesday December 15, and runs through the Christmas period until Sunday January 3. For ticket prices and performance time, visit www.cornex.co.uk, or call the box office on 01223 357 851.