Jesus Christ Superstar Archives

22May

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Jesus Christ Superstar – The Lowry

The musical phenomenon that is 'Jesus Christ Superstar' graces the stage at The Lowry this week. With well-known lyrics by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber this version was initially performed at London's Regent's Park open air theatre and received an Olivier for best reimagined production in 2017. Directed by Alli Coyne, the story retells the final days of the life of Jesus up to his crucifixion. It is a revamped modern version and, in many ways, feels darker and ‘edgier’ than previous productions. It is perhaps the version that feels more ‘rock opera’ when compared to other productions and this adds to its success. From the opening scene of a guitar solo- there is a an intention that the audience are watching a rock concert depicting the final days of Jesus Christ to his crucifi...

Jesus Christ Superstar – Bradford Alhambra

28Nov

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Jesus Christ Superstar – Bradford Alhambra

When Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote a rock opera with a provocative title about the last days of Christ one potential investor described it as ‘the worst idea in history’ so with no-one willing to put it on a stage they stuck it out as a platinum selling double album….and the rest is history. Britain’s greatest musical theatre duo loosely based Jesus Christ Superstar on the Gospels and for a show no one wanted it ended up setting a record for the longest run in London. I have a simple proposition for what makes a great musical, and that they always need a minimum of two showstoppers – preferably one at the end of each half – but this is packed full of the duo’s best tunes. Everything’s Going to Be Alright, I Don’t Know How To Love Him, Herod’s Song and Gethsemane are all killer ...

Jesus Christ Superstar – Wolverhampton Grand

15Nov

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Jesus Christ Superstar – Wolverhampton Grand

Now on its umpteenth resurrection in fifty or so years, “Jesus Christ Superstar” comes to the Grand in Wolverhampton in this very sombre and earnest production from Regents’ Park. The stark set inevitably dominated by a cross is cloaked in darkest from the outset and peopled with gray and black clad actors. We don’t see a fleck of colour till Act Two. The first ten minutes or so has a feeling of grudging obligation which slowly modulates into something more engaging. Of course, it’s splattered with well-known tunes throughout, and each is dutifully deployed under Michael Riley’s tight musical direction with Hannah Richardson as Mary giving us a beautiful rendition of “I Don’t Know How to Love him”, which, as musical aficionados love to point out, bears more than passing resemblance to Mend...

Jesus Christ Superstar – Liverpool Empire

24Oct

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

Jesus Christ Superstar – Liverpool Empire

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 ...

Jesus Christ Superstar – Hull New Theatre

3Oct

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Jesus Christ Superstar – Hull New Theatre

When a theatre production seems to pass in the blink of an eye, you know you have witnessed something special. So, it was on Monday evening, when Jesus Christ Superstar came to the Hull New Theatre to spellbind us in the fairly full venue. After a 10-minute delay for curtain up, the first half was well worth the wait. Events on stage were so utterly engrossing, next thing we knew the interval was upon us. The stage setting for the last weeks of Jesus Christ’s life (seen through the eyes of Judas), was devoid of colour; even the actors’ costumes were mostly a drab beige. This cleverly created the perfect atmosphere of suspicion, fear and doubt leading up to Jesus’s demise. Feared by the authorities for being hailed as the “King of the Jews” and the “Son of God” by his followers,...

14Sep

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Jesus Christ Superstar – Palace Theatre

It’s a musical institution, and it’s been given a brand new lease of life..Jesus Christ Superstar at Manchester's Palace Theatre as part of this UK Tour, starring the incredible Ian McIntosh as Jesus, is unquestionably the most creative rendition of this iconic musical that I have ever had the privilege of witnessing. From the moment the logo emblazed curtain rose, we were presented with a cast of awe-inspiring talent and jaw-dropping theatricality.Directed by Timothy Sheader; this reimagined Rock Opera composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice delivers a totally different experience than I was expecting; it’s modern and refreshed, it feels like I’m watching the musical for the very first time again.Ian McIntosh's portrayal of Jesus was nothing short of divine. His powerful voice and ca...

Jesus Christ Superstar set for 2023/2024 UK Tour

17Feb

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Jesus Christ Superstar set for 2023/2024 UK Tour

Following several acclaimed and sold-out runs in London as well as an extensive tour of North America, the Olivier Award-winning reimagined production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s celebrated musical JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will embark on a UK tour in 2023/2024. Produced by David Ian for Crossroads Live, the UK tour will launch at Manchester’s Palace Theatre from 11 September 2023 and will visit Newcastle, Hull, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Plymouth, Wolverhampton, Bradford, Nottingham, Ipswich, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leicester, Stoke, Bristol, Crawley, Southampton, Norwich, Eastbourne, Birmingham, Oxford, Wimbledon, Woking, Sunderland, Canterbury, Sheffield, Llandudno, Torquay, Dartford, Cheltenham and Blackpool. Further tour dates are to be announced. Featuring ...

Jesus Christ Superstar – Frinton Summer Theatre

1Sep

By Samantha CollettNo Comments

South East

Jesus Christ Superstar – Frinton Summer Theatre

It’s astonishing to think Jesus Christ Superstar first hit the stage 50 years ago when you watch Clive Brill’s reimagining of this iconic rock opera by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Packed to the gills with creative ingenuity this is a show worthy of any London stage and to find it in a tent in Frinton-on-Sea is mind-blowing. Opening with Jesus being portrayed as a vain cult-leader, Tim Rogers is the role to perfection with his handsome looks and aloof swagger. Enter Judas (Hugh Maynard) who’s set to bring Jesus down by betraying him to Caiaphas (Jad Habchi). Unfortunately for Jesus, despite the deep love and care from Mary (Rebecca Birch), and his followers, Judas in a delicate kiss, betrays Jesus to his enemies and seals his death with his lips. Despite being a small theatre, t...

West End Unplugged: Vol 1 – The Shows Must Go On

14Nov

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

West End Unplugged: Vol 1 – The Shows Must Go On

As a die-hard musical theatre aficionado, by far and away the best part of lockdown for me has been a little thing called “The Shows Must Go On”. For many, these words mean nothing more than a whimsical credo, very much a theatrical take on the British saying “Keep Calm and Carry On”. However, “The Shows Must Go On” is also an aptly-named YouTube channel dedicated to “bringing you showtunes, backstage access and full performances from some of the best loved musicals in history!” – so for me, it’s been a lifeline, a much-needed (if socially-distanced) ticket back to the magical world of theatre. During the Coronavirus pandemic that has swept the world and kept most of us out of work, out of pubs and restaurants, and crucially out of the theatres, “The Shows Must Go On” has stoically c...