Straight from two triumphant seasons at The London Palladium, the brand-new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat comes to the Theatre Royal Plymouth from Tuesday, April 26 to Saturday, April 30.

Alexandra Burke reprises her celebrated role as The Narrator, joining Jac Yarrow who is preparing to don the famous coat in the titular role on tour.

Alexandra Burke’s many West End credits include the lead roles in The Bodyguard, Sister Act, Chess and Chicago. Alexandra first rose to fame winning The X Factor in 2008 and has since gone on to sell over five million records.

Alexandra said: ‘It’s such a vibrant, colourful and exciting show that you can’t help wanting to join in with the songs, clap along or get up and dance at the end. It’s a feel-good show and that’s why I love it.

‘The Narrator is such fun. It’s an important role because she’s telling the story, but I’m quite giddy when I play her. It’s the only role I’ve done so far where I’ve felt I can just be myself.’

Jac Yarrow caused a sensation when he made his professional stage debut playing Joseph, following in the footsteps of a line of stars who have previously played the title character. His portrayal of Joseph won him unanimous acclaim and an Olivier Award nomination, with his rendition of Close Every Door To Me regularly stopping the show with standing ovations.

Jac said: ‘To be able take this show to the regional theatres that have been closed for so long is just the tonic everybody needs. And particularly this incarnation of Joseph, which is the same production you got at the Palladium. It’s lavish and no-expense-spared, and it’s really going to lift everyone’s spirits.

‘It’s my first tour ever. I’ve never toured before and I’m really looking forward to it because I actually haven’t visited many towns and cities in the UK and Ireland. It will be amazing to see all these new places, get to know them better and sink my teeth into the role even more.’

What can audiences expect when they come to see the show?

They’re in for a massive treat. It’s such a vibrant, colourful and exciting show that you can’t help wanting to join in with the songs, clap along or get up and dance at the end. It’s a feel-good show and that’s why I love it. We’ve all been through so much in the past couple of years, we need shows like this out on the road that bring people so much love and joy.’

Here Alexandra Burke tells us more in a Q&A

The West End production was one of the first to open to full capacity after Covid restrictions. What was the atmosphere like?

‘It was such a special feeling. Speaking on behalf of everyone who was part of the production, to not be doing what you love for a long time and then suddenly being able to perform to a full audience is a feeling money can’t buy. It was a special moment for us to see all those faces, even though of course they were wearing masks.

‘ To feel the energy from the audience and know that they were enjoying it made it such an incredible experience. I don’t think any of us will ever take a moment of performing for granted again.’

The Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice score is full of great songs. Do you have a favourite to perform?

The opening number, Prologue (Some Folks Dream), is one of my favourites simply because of the message behind it. It’s telling kids to find their dreams and just go for it, and it’s just me and the kids performing it. It’s an important message to put out there, not just for the kids but for adults as well.

How is it working with Jac Yarrow as Joseph?

‘If anyone asked me if there’s a perfect Joseph out there I’d say “Yes there is and it’s Jac Yarrow”. He’s a beautiful human being with a great spirit, a great singer and a wonderful performer. He’s a very talented young man who is going to go very far.’

Joseph is a big contrast to The Bodyguard, which you toured in a couple of years ago. Was that part of the appeal?

‘Yes it was, then I found out there hadn’t been many black Narrators and that was the selling point for me. I thought “I want to be that representation for young black girls to be able to see themselves in that role”. One of the kids in the show last year said “So I can be The Narrator one day when I grow up too?” She was a young black girl and it blew my mind that she’d gotten some inspiration from me doing the role. That was the key thing for me — being part of an iconic show and representing people of colour.’

What have been your other favourite roles on stage?

‘[Laughs] I’m sorry but there hasn’t been one I haven’t liked. I’ve been lucky enough to do Sister Act, Chess, Chicago, The Bodyguard — and all of them have been the most amazing experience. I’m not a trained actor or theatre performer, yet I’ve been blessed to have been given such fantastic opportunities. And I’ve loved every director I’ve worked with. I’ve learned so much from them, I’m like a little sponge who soaks up everything.’

You came to fame on The X Factor but was theatre always part of the plan?

It’s been more of a nice, happy accident if I’m honest with you. I never, ever thought about doing theatre after X Factor because my mind was so set on music. I was only meant to do three months in The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre and that turned into five years of non-stop theatre work. And gosh, it’s been wonderful!

‘Music will always be my number one but it’s been amazing to be able to train my voice in a different way and build up my stamina.

‘While recording what will be my forth studio album I’ve realised that I’m more confident with my singing than ever before and I put that down to all the incredible roles I’ve played over the last seven years.

‘You don’t know hard work until you’ve done ten shows a week. I take my hands off to ensemble members as well because they do so much work sometimes across multiple roles whereas I’ve just got one role to concentrate on.’

What are you most looking forward to about taking Joseph around the country?

‘When you tour you get to meet so many new people and to visit places you don’t usually go to. It opens up your mind and your heart. I’m also going back to lots of cities and theatres I’ve been to before, and it’ll be lovely to see all the people I already know who work there backstage and front-of-house and shout for joy “we are back!”.’

The tour calls at Theatre Royal Plymouth. Does it have any significance for you?

Plymouth is such a lovely place because you’re near the sea and I find that really relaxing.