To take the last, dramatic and tragic, week of Jesus Christ’s life, seen through the eyes of Jesus’s betrayer, Judas Iscariot, and turn it into a musical was a very brave decision but, considering that Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice made that choice over 50 years ago, and that the current show is stronger than ever, it must have been one of the very best decisions that the pair ever made.
On a set that is very industrial but, at the same time, remarkably simple, the cast sing and dance their way through some of the best tunes that Lloyd Webber has ever written, including “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”, “Superstar” and the showstopping, “Gethsemane”.
Judas Iscariot is played to absolute perfection by Shem Omari James who gives a simply breath-taking performance throughout. Whether he is warning Jesus that things are getting out of control, selling out to the Romans or coming to a tragic end, he lives every moment, feels every emotion and continually displays every facet of his truly remarkable singing voice.
Hannah Richardson is suitably sultry as Mary Magdalene. Her voice is calm and clear and, although she traverses the stage in the confident manner that would be expected of a character such as hers, she also displays a vulnerability and devotion that adds vital dimension to the role.
As the menacing High Priests, Annas and Caiaphas, Matt Bateman and Jad Habchi work brilliantly together with Bateman’s almost falsetto voice a great counterpoint to the incredibly low bass voice of Habchi, that seems to come all the way up from his boots. Watching their fear at the growing popularity of Jesus turn into delight at his eventual demise provides the perfect sinister overtone to the piece.
Ensuring Jesus’s eventual demise are Ryan O’Donnell as Pontius Pilate and Timo Tatzber as King Herod. O’Donnell gets two opportunities to show off his talents in the numbers “Pilate’s Dream” and again in “Pilate and Christ” in Act Two. Sadly, Tatzber only really gets one chance to shine in the role of Herod, but shine like a star he does. With glittery make up, the most amazing costume and a whole host of dancing boys and girls, he delivers “Herod’s Song” with a huge dose of what is best referred to as “camp!”
On this national tour the role of Jesus is played mainly by Ian Mcintosh but, at this performance it is Luke Street who takes on the vocal gymnastics that are required throughout, but particularly in the belter, “Gethsemane”. Act two really tests the actor, as it requires some truly incredible emotion to be conveyed right to the back of the auditorium. As we could hear a pin drop in the room during the final scenes, it’s obvious that the entire capacity audience is held by the power of Luke Street’s performance.
The supporting cast work tirelessly through this fast-paced and energetic production supplying tremendous vocals together with enthusiastic dancing, which often includes synchronised, but not necessarily simultaneous, choreography. Special mention must go to Jordan Michael Todd in the role of Simon, who has the most amazing voice, and to the light and sound teams, who create the perfect atmosphere in which to convey the story.
For almost 53 years Jesus Christ Superstar has been right at the forefront of musical theatre, serving as testament to the genius pair that are Rice and Lloyd Webber, and with this current production ticking all the right boxes, there is no doubt that Superstar will remain in that position for many years to come.
Five Stars *****