Jesus Christ Superstar
Milton Keynes Theatre
30th October 2023
There’s little doubt that the recent work of Andrew Lloyd Webber is a bit of a mixed bag, but it’s hard to argue that when Webber is good, he’s in the top-tier Gold standard of musical theatre. Rarely is this showcased more than with ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, his global megahit that has gripped audiences for over 50 years. Starting life back in 1970 as a concept album (due to lack of funding for a full production), the show was the third brainchild from his enduring partnership with lyricist Tim Rice, and while it may have been the breakthrough hit ‘Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ that made them good, it was ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ that made them legends.
The plot needs no explanation, following the last days of Jesus Christ (Ian McIntosh), his love for Mary Magdelane (Hannah Richardson), and his betrayal by trusted friend Judas (Shem Omari James) that leads to his inevitable crucifixion. On paper, the material doesn’t cry out to be turned into a rock opera, but then-twentysomething visionaries Webber and Rice saw the potential in the story for theatrical greatness, and history was made. The rock score is quintessentially 70s rock in the best possible way, and has stood the test of time in a way its creators could never have imagined. Its opening guitar riffs are instantly recognisable and set the scene for a dark yet thrilling piece of theatre.
‘Jesus Christ Superstar was last seen in London in 2016 at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre (which went on to play the Barbican in 2017), and it’s this production which now tours the UK, playing this week at Milton Keynes Theatre. Boldly directed by Timothy Sheader, the production has a gritty industrial feel to it (with some fantastic set design from Tom Scutt), creating a formidable feeling of potency and power from the outset. The production feels utterly contemporary and yet timeless, striking a brilliant balance between the two and practically pulsing with energy. Drew McOnie’s inventive choreography remains hugely impressive, again modern and dynamic, and performed with absolute precision by the talented ensemble. Costume design (again by Tom Scutt) is a sea of casual greys and whites, enhancing the contemporary feel, but also delivering colour when required, particularly in a recreation of The Last Supper which is brilliantly done. Lee Curran’s lighting delivers some stunning visuals at key moments in the story (no prizes for guessing which ones). It’s a cohesive creative triumph of imagery and sound, gripping the audience throughout and never letting up until that glittering blood-soaked conclusion.
The musical is revered by many as being an absolute vocal beast for its performers, and the cast here certainly don’t disappoint. Ian McIntosh has been a favourite leading man of theatre fans for a while, and follows his fantastic recent work in ‘The Commitments’ and ‘We Will Rock You’ with a truly stellar turn here as Jesus. He has one of the most reliable male voices on our stages, and makes this score seem effortless. “Gethsemane” is the obvious highlight, which McIntosh knocks out of the park and then some, but he’s equally brilliant in the show’s smaller moments, showing the control and skill he has over his voice. Shem Omari James is also great as Judas, again delivering those big notes with apparent ease, and effectively conveying the character’s frustration and later guilt. As Mary, Hannah Richardson shows off a wonderfully rich voice full of soul and performs her numbers captivatingly and with a natural confidence, hopefully securing herself lots of leading-lady roles in the future. Other standouts are Luke Street who shows off some incredible belting, and Timo Tatzber as Herod, giving a glam-rock vaudevillian turn that will undoubtedly knock spots off anything Julian Clary can do in the role at other venues.
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is one of the classic musicals, the first stroke of genius (of many) from Webber and Rice, and a show that gets better the more times you see it, which is very good news for this tour. The score will rarely be sung better than this, and this production offers a provocative exhilarating take on one of the mammoths of the musical theatre canon. It really is a Superstar of a show, stunning in the power that it creates, and reminds us just how great the greats can be.
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ runs at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 4th November 2023, before continuing its UK tour into 2024.
Performance runtime 1 hour 55 minutes including interval.
