Camp and colourful from start to finish, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat is one of those shows you seem to have embedded in your brain.

When we were little my sister and I wore out our VHS copy of the film version, with Donny Osmond as Joseph — and I was amused to discover that I still knew all the words when I saw Joe McElderry take the lead at the Grand last night.

I can still name all the colours in the correct order too.

Joe McElderry in his loincloth for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

One of the main reasons the show has endured, despite being more than 40 years old, is that it's just so much fun.

It's a Bible story with a good dose of satire, cheeky lyrics and more musical styles than you can shake a stick at, from country and western to Caribbean calypso.

Even in his X Factor days, it was clear Joe McElderry had a voice for musical theatre, and he didn't disappoint. His talent appears effortless, and it was no surprise when he nailed Close Every Door, hitting the final, soaring note with ease.

While he did have the odd wooden moment, his stage presence was good, and he was fun to watch in the show's comedic moments.

Lucy Kay shone as the narrator — leading the story while simultaneously hovering in the background is no mean feat, and she made light work of a challenging vocal part.

But it was Emilianos Stamatakis as Pharaoh who stole the show, crooning and thrusting his way through Song of the King and King of My Heart (a new addition from the 2007 London revival). Talk about swagger. The costuming of the American football-style servants and cheerleaders was a nice touch too.

Joe McElderry as Joseph
Joe McElderry as Joseph

Sackie Osakonor shimmied his way through Benjamin Calypso with style and the Joseph choir did the production proud.

The set was simple but dressed well, with an effective moving staircase for the Pharoah scenes, and we were treated to not one but FOUR technicolour dreamcoats, which seemed to get bigger with every reveal.

I also have to mention the surprising inflatable sheep, which sprung up at the back of the stage in what must have been an intended joke — if not, they were unintentionally hilarious.

At it's core, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat is just flamboyant, musical fun. I guarantee you'll leave the theatre with a smile on your face, and many got to their feet to sing and clap their way through the curtain call (which went on a touch too long, to be honest).

But it's got a firm fanbase, with younger fans discovering Joseph and grandparents keen to show them. Go, go, go Joe!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is at Leeds Grand Theatre untilSaturday 26 March 2016.

Tickets are on sale now priced from £19 to £33.50. Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call box office on 0844 848 2700.