Nairobi — A rare three-day musical presentation will start on Friday at Starehe Boys Centre, Nairobi.

Students of both Starehe Boys and Girls present the ever transformed "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat" up to Sunday.

The show will act as a curtain raiser of celebrations to mark 50 years of the school's existence, to be held on July 18.

From a 15-minute pop cantata commissioned by a music master of a London school in 1967, the musical has grown to a 90-minute spectacular show of singing, dancing and acting.

It is directed by Rob Stewardson and Barney Everett, both volunteers at the Martyn Donaldson Music Trust. The musical, a biblical story of Joseph, the son of Jacob, is a powerful moral tale that tackles corruption, nepotism and jealousy.

Inspiration

Written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, it is officially the longest-running touring stage musical in history. The performance is an inspiration to the students, most of whom come from humble backgrounds.

"It is an embodiment of the values at the schools," said Moses Aran, a music teacher. The production quality was considered key as the 50 years were a milestone for the school. Despite the radical transformations the musical has undergone, the show has always remained true to its original intentions.