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Production images: Mark Chinnery and Mark Corns
As Jesus Christ Superstar was one of my very first introductions to musical theatre back in the 1970s I am often drawn to new productions both amateur and professional including, one not-so-good production in a church, several very decent amateur productions in the East Midlands, professional touring productions and even a recent super high quality amateur production in Cambridge by The Festival Players, featuring a brilliant female Jesus. So what does this new production by Greasepaint Productions give us audience members who have braved the chilly inclement weather to see it at Loughborough Town Hall? Well it is undeniably super! I’d certainly say it is a hot ticket show with some brilliant local talent filling the stage with a fervour that is almost religious.
Director Liam Patrick has assembled not only an energetic and vocally sharp ensemble in Greasepaint’s industrial styled production but, key to any musical theatre production, the leads and supporting cast are all top notch performers. All of which I am sure that Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice would be proud of should they see this show at the Loughborough Town Hall.
Costumes are mostly modern dress with the exception of Jesus. What is striking is the choice of using purple with Pilate (Beth Cluer), the priests Caiaphas (Richard Coles), Annas (Keith Reynolds), Zadock (Judith Coles) and Mathais (David Clifford). Purple dye was the most expensive dye during Roman times and signified wealth and power.
Dan Robinson gives a phenomenal performance as a tortured Jesus showing exceptional acting skills and superb singing and boy -what a voice he has. By the end of this week he is going to not only be very proud of his achievements on this exacting no nonsense role and no doubt he will have a fine set of bruises to show off as he has spent time being thrown around the hard floor of the stage. The Trial by Pilate/39 lashes scene is brilliantly done as is the clever way that the whipped flesh is revealed on Christ’s back. Robinson’s ‘Gethsemene; is a passionate powerhouse that gets a huge cheer and round of applause.
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Some say that Jesus Christ Superstar is really Judas’ show. I beg to differ but without a good Judas in a performance the show would be the poorer for it. It delights me to say that Andy Longely-Brown’s powerful Judas suits this production perfectly with his leather jacketed brooding personality and clear vocals. I also like the fact that he doesn’t prance around the stage like other Judas portrayals I have seen where the character comes across like they have been snorting cocaine. Marching powder I believe is the modern slang for the drug. Longely- Brown’s Judas is a clever and calculating, manipulative outsider. For a few seconds at his opening number I was concerned he was going to be speaking ‘Heaven On Their Minds’ but the way it has been directed it really works with the raspy initial dialogue. Nelly Collins as Mary really conveys her deep unspoken romantic love for Jesus through song and caring actions and she embodies the inner conflicts of Mary as she struggles to understand her earthly life to one more profound. Collin’s “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” is a achingly beautiful rendition.
The choice to use two women in the roles of Herod (Jodie Pearman) and Pilate (Beth Cluer) is another gamble that pays off. We have Pearman camping it up with her dancing girls and Cluer surprising us to good vocal effect with her strong version of ‘Pilate’s Dream’ and the later scenes with the broken Jesus prior to his gruesome crucifixion.
The eleven piece band conducted by James Stevens are a total class act nailing the rock musical score in all its varied moods and swings. The dramatic lighting (James Cladingboel), perfect sound (Ryan Heath) and set design (Dave Wright) all contribute to the look and feel of this wonderful show and Gillian Leeson and Racheal Gunn’s work on the costumes is a winner.
The general ensemble certainly work hard in this busy production through song, dance and action and their dynamic contributions on stage help make this mesmerising piece of local musical theatre the rock opera epic success it deserves to be.
Jesus Christ Superstar runs at the Loughborough Town Hall until Saturday 24th October 2026. It fully deserves an audience. “What’s The Buzz?” you say? This show is buzzing so get those tickets booked right now. You won’t regret it.
Thank you for pointing out about the colour purple. I didn’t know about this, so what a clever part of the production. I also thought the countdown clock at the beginning really helped to build the atmosphere and added tension, setting us up for the fact that Jesus’ days on earth were numbered. I recently saw the London Palladium production with Sam Ryder, and I’m sure he would have positive comments about Dan’s portrayal of Jesus, and Nell Collins reminded me of a young Yvonne Elliman. As you say, it’s well worth going to see.
What a fantastic review! Absolutely agree with all you say, you have done Greasepaint Theatre Company proud! Amazing!
Spot on! The show is spectacular with the most amazing Ben in the lead role. That note! The band were so good that I at first thought the music was a professional backing track. I will be going to some more Greasepaint productions and would like to thank them for bringing this to Loughborough Town Hall.
Saw it on opening night. And for me it is stunningly performed. I have seen 5 productions of JCS. Including one in London in the 70s ! I have no hesitation in writing that this production is 2nd to none. Well done to all involved.