High expectation was felt amongst the sell-out crowd and this performance lived-up to and exceeded its title as a classic of British musical theatre.
Tom Scutt (set and costume) and Drew Mconie (choreography) brought something new and exciting to this particular production. The industrial feel of the set, the paring back to bare metal really added to it and allowed those performing to shine and the multipurpose props were a savvy touch. Also, the movement elements of this piece were really impressive. Rugged, grounded and grungey would be the terms I would use, which brought a new take to the show to highlight the turmoil and obsessive themes of the story. All cast members gave their all in the physical demands of the routines which paid off, and their energy was felt right to the back row.
The musical score for this show is world renowned and so it takes a lot to impress. However, the live band and musicians were a fantastic addition to this performance and kept standards high throughout. As a small preference, however, it was a shame that we couldn’t see the pianist and drummer just like the lead guitarist, as they were both hidden by their score sheets which meant the open space in the set for them was pointless as we just saw black stands.
This has always been a powerful and popular story and it did not disappoint. Though aspects of it have been pushed into unexpected modern styles for some, the crowd were still stunned by the quality of the cast and the production altogether. Highlights in the cast for me were Judas (Shem Omari James), Mary (Hannah Richardson), Annas (Matt Bateman) and of course Herod’s appearance (Julian Clary) was an additional crowd pleaser. Of course, I must mention Jesus (Ian McIntosh) for his fantastic Gethsemane solo.
The songs, dances and emotional content of this production are extremely difficult to pull-off which is testament to the talent of this cast. This production is a true classic and one still worth a watch.
Reviewer: Hannah Esnouf
Reviewed: 23rd October 2023
North West End UK Rating: