Dolcy D’Cruz
Encore Academy of Performing Arts will stage the iconic musical ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, directed by Alfwold Silveira, and produced by Francis Coelho and Cecille Rodrigues of Encore Academy Of Performing Arts, the production is a vibrant retelling of the Biblical story of Joseph, exploring themes of jealousy, forgiveness, dreams, and family values through a mix of musical styles. The play will be staged at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on August 21 at 6 pm and at 8 pm. “We have a few new actors this time, as some of the previous cast members were unable to participate. There are four new actors in total, two playing soldiers and two playing brothers, bringing the cast to 45 members. The biggest difference this time is that when we performed it for the first time, there was a sense of discovery and anticipation. Everything was new, and that excitement naturally came through.
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But performing it for a second time presents a different, and in many ways greater, challenge. We have already reached a certain level, so we cannot simply repeat what we did before. We have to raise the bar; otherwise, it becomes stagnant. I focused on tightening the entire production, making the transitions between scenes faster, ensuring everyone was positioned correctly for their entrances, and instilling a greater sense of discipline and precision. The aim was to bring out the very best in everyone and make the performance sharper and more polished. I wanted to keep that spark alive during rehearsals.
Despite the limited rehearsal time, the cast has worked hard to maintain the energy and enthusiasm that the production requires,” says director Alfwold Silveira. Alfwold got Cecille Rodrigues on board with this project two weeks prior to the show so that she could uplift the performance of the show through the dance. As the music was very catchy, she took the responsibility and the challenge to complete the task as she had to work with all amateur dancers as well as some who have basic dancing skills. They all love dancing but never been formally trained. “Working with youngsters who are passionate but not fully trained was a challenge, because their level of training can sometimes limit the complexity of the acts we can present.
However, I chose to focus on their strengths and make the most of their energy, enthusiasm, and potential. The kids were extremely cooperative and patient with me, especially since we had very little time to prepare. They stayed back whenever required and worked with me to achieve the level of perfection I was looking for. They listened, adapted, and gave their 100 percent, which I truly appreciate. Their dedication and energy added a whole new dimension to the show and enhanced the overall performance on the day,” explains Cecille, who worked on the choreography of the production. She is also part of the Encore Academy of Performing Arts. Giving everyone an opportunity to be part of the programme has always been important. When it was decided to bring the show to Margao, the cast and dancers knew about a month in advance that we would be performing there. “We thought, why not create an opening act and give local students the opportunity to participate? It was a great way to involve young talent and give them a platform to showcase what they can do,” she says. Francis Coelho is the producer who got the entire team excited about the possibility of taking this production beyond Goa. “We are planning to do shows across Goa and are also looking at taking it to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and other cities. The production has come together beautifully, and now the focus is on making it financially viable while maintaining a high standard of stage production, one that can match London or Broadway standards. Many people who watched the show said they couldn’t fully comprehend how beautifully it had come together until they actually saw it in Panjim,” says Francis, who has been doing this for 20 years in Mumbai.
He further adds, “When I came to Goa, I decided that instead of using the Event Speciale brand, which is primarily known as a backstage production company, we would build on the Encore brand. Encore has been established in Mumbai for many years, and under Encore, we have produced large scale productions and international shows. For this production, I have also been the technical producer from day one.” Cecille started training with the seniors, as their performance requires considerable time and preparation. They have been extremely cooperative and are excited to be part of the opening act. “We also had a stage rehearsal at Ravindra Bhavan, and I would like to thank the chairperson, Rajendra Talak, for giving us permission to use the stage. This gave the seniors an opportunity to become familiar with the space and feel more comfortable performing there.
Everyone has been practicing every day, putting in a lot of effort to ensure they deliver a good performance. Everyone has put in a great deal of hard work, and I am confident that their efforts will shine through on the day of the performance.,” she explains. The seniors will be part of both opening acts. This time, they will also bring the entire cast together for a group performance at the end of the show. Instead of simply reading out the names, thanking the audience, and saying goodbye, they wanted to create a more energetic and engaging finale that brings the entire team together.
