Jesus Christ Superstar

Lyrics by Tim Rice

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Directed by Timothy Sheader

Choreography by Drew McOnie

Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham

Monday 8^th January – Saturday 13^th January 2024

As we take our seats at the Royal Concert Hall, an ingenious set by Tom Scutt awaits. Gargantuan rusting girders traverse the stage and intersect to highlight the shape of myriad crucifixes. This symbol is a potent reminder of what we are about to see unfold.

Jesus Christ Superstar follows the events in the last week of Jesus’ life as seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, apostle turned traitor. Beginning life as a concept album in the 1970s, this heavyweight Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical has come a long way, but does it stand the test of time?

The industrial style set screams weightiness, heft, and labour, yet appearing aloft through one of the manifold ‘crosses’ is a simply beautiful olive tree. It suggests a celestial realm beyond earthly troubles, a reminder that Jesus (Ian McIntosh) is both deity and man.

Placed throughout the set, on diverse levels are the stunning musicians. As soon as we hear the opening dramatic riffs from a hoodie-wearing bearded guitarist, I know that musically we are in for a treat. The 70’s derived music is presented with a contemporary feel.

Costumes (also by Tom Scutt) and Hair and Make-up (Guiseppe Cannas) reflect this mix of the relatively recent past, the ancient and the present. There are modern mullets, undercuts, top-knots, and dramatic eyeliner which both individualise, yet unite Jesus’s followers. Costumes in shades of warm metals combined with breathable soft fabrics give freedom of movement as the ensemble negotiate the stage delivering intricate choreography.

Drew McOnie has devised visually arresting movement and dance. The accomplished ensemble performs with precision, gusto, and seemingly endless stamina. I love the focus on arms with flexed hands; almost a modernised form of semaphore signalling the emotions and feelings of the characters and telegraphing to the audience the mood of the masses.

This may be a tale told through Judas’ eyes, but the undoubted star of the show is Jesus, the aforementioned McIntosh. He has the gravitas, poise, and dignity necessary for the role, but can also portray the pressure and burden of knowing what is to come. His voice is absolutely sublime. He can belt, his falsetto is pitch perfect and he crucially makes you believe in the torment he feels.

Strong support is given by Hannah Richardson as Mary. There is a purity to her voice which shines especially in ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him.’ Judas, played tonight by Shem Omari James, proves more problematic. I struggle to tell what he is singing despite concentrating hard to focus on the words.

Of course, you can interpret the overall message of his solo songs, but I want to be able to understand and absorb the lyrics. As this is a production with no spoken dialogue, the songs drive the narrative. It proves difficult to truly understand the motivation behind the character and his subsequent betrayal if you cannot decipher the lyrics. My guest for the evening feels the same.

Watch out for a scene stealing turn from Timo Tatzber as Herod. You won’t miss him in his shimmering gold lamé cape which when removed turns him into a gloriously deranged ‘ringmaster,’ replete with shimmering tailcoat, sequinned leotard, and platform boots to die for.

Surrounded by living ‘heads on plates’ this is one of many astute visual pinpoints. A bloodied, battered, and bruised Jesus covered in glitter, Judas increasingly coated in metallics to signify the thirty pieces of silver and the spectacular lighting (Lee Curran) of the crucifixion will all stay with me long after the curtain falls.

Jesus Christ Superstar is a curious, yet successful, blend of the sacred and the profane, the modern and the possibly dated, but there can be no doubting that there is much to admire from this driven cast and committed company.

Age guidance 10+

Running Time: Act 1: 45 mins, 20-minute interval, Act 2: 50 mins