Andrew Lloyd Webber

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Joseph: God in Neon

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I thought that "Superstar," and now "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat," were quite surely more decadent than Alice Cooper.

It's quite okay, and very lovable to have jolly portrayals of God—to all intents and purposes styled upon Santa Claus. It's a best-seller to have rock 'n' roll angels, tidy lyrics, neon tablets, and satire based upon The Bible.

But I sat there, and thought, "Herewith really makes a beginning of the end." Surely, I was laughing, for "Joseph" has incredibly funny moments. But … like, ya know, if yer a thinker, then you start to think about God in Neon. And then you start to think about dear George Orwell, and then "1984," and before you know it…. You know George was right. And that my friends, is exceedingly frightening.

Not that Mr. Rice or Mr. Lloyd-Webber meant to slander the remnants of society. Nay—they're writers, and writing extremely enjoyable things really. But, without knowing, we creep towards 1984. You see, once you present God in Neon, then there's little else to present.

It's not a case of reading things into things. "Joseph" might be called harmless. It's funny—[and] it'll become a world-favourite.

But will it make God a Superstar?

Roy Hollingworth, "Joseph: God in Neon," in Melody Maker (© IPC Business Press Ltd.), March 3, 1973, p. 45.

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