Rehearsals have begun in Auckland, New Zealand for a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat which will tour Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia.

Reprising the role of Joseph after a 1994 Australian tour and West End season is David Dixon, the former lead singer of pop group Indecent Obsession. The narrator will be played by Linzi Hately, known not only for her performance of this same role in the recent London revival opposite Jason Donovan, but also familiar to musicial buffs for her work in Carrie, the now legendary Broadway musical failure.

The Ascot Group, a New Zealand production company, will present the show under license from the Really Useful Group, with a live orchestra and cast of 36.

Despite the Asian financial crisis, bookings for the show's opening at the Kalang Theatre in Singapore, are very healthy. Joseph will open in Singapore on February 26 for a six week season with Hong Kong to follow.

-- By Peter Ford
Sydney, Australia