Although it would be true to say that a populist musical like this one has only the haziest relation to a biblical theme, Andrew Lloyd Webber's music and Tim Rice's songs create a happy show that has lined several pockets over the years.
A packed house loved it and, although the dramatic action seemed to be spread slightly more thinly than I remember it, nobody cared very much as Joseph skipped in and out of the various musical numbers assigned to him.
On this particular tour, the Joseph is Keith Jack, who is fresh and lively. Pharaoh comes along in the person of Elvis Presley, and you realise that Rice and Webber have created an out-of-season razzamatazz panto with an upbeat number every five minutes or so.
A great attraction of these tours (which generally come to us under the auspices of Bill Kenwright) is the costumes and sets, and this show looks very good indeed, with designer Sean Cavanagh giving us a teasing glimpse of his version of the glory that was Egypt. The front cloth which came in during the overture certainly deserved closer examination with its full-sized pharaonic racing chariot, its vivid colours and hieroglyphs. The gold Anubis masks and glitter cloaks, worn later by the men, were terrific.
Mr Cavanagh also introduces blow-up fleecy sheep balloons into the evening. It was a clever touch and drew momentary laughter.
The children who line the steps on each side of the stage, were admirable and gave their all.
Until Saturday.
