Jesus Christ Superstar

Eclipse Productions’ staging of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli on Friday 20th June proved a dynamic and compelling evening of theatre, delivering both the rock-opera spectacle and the human drama at the heart of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s classic work. It was indeed my first visit to Eclipse Productions and their first production as NODA members, and I was delighted to be able to attend. 

Ryan Peters took on the demanding role of Jesus with sincerity and presence. His performance was emotionally charged, navigating the journey from charismatic leader to tortured figure with depth and conviction. Vocally, Ryan handled the challenging score well which resonated strongly with the audience.

Opposite him, Ian Roach made a powerful impression as Judas. His portrayal captured the character’s volatility and inner conflict, offering both aggression and vulnerability. Ian’s vocals were potent, particularly in “Heaven on Their Minds” and “Damned for All Time,” where his dynamic range and emotional expression drove the tension forward.

Abigail Williams shone as Mary Magdalene, bringing warmth and gentleness to the production. Her rendition of “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” was beautifully sung, filled with quiet longing and sincerity that provided a poignant contrast to the more turbulent moments of the show. I did feel that the choreography during “Everything’s Alright” distracted me from Abgail slightly although it was very well choreographed. For me, sometimes less is more.  

The standout performance of the evening came from Matthew Tucker as Pilate. He was superb, commanding the stage with a presence that conveyed both authority and reluctant sympathy. His scenes, especially “Pilate’s Dream” and the climactic trial sequence, were delivered with nuanced emotion, adding significant dramatic weight to the production.

Sean Davies-Jaynes delivered a thoroughly entertaining turn as Herod. His performance was great fun, full of charisma and flamboyance, bringing comic relief at exactly the right moment with a vibrant and cheeky rendition of “Herod’s Song.” The audience clearly enjoyed his theatrical flair.

Wayne Tucker as Caiaphas and David Arran as Annas were well-matched as the high priests conspiring against Jesus. Wayne Tucker’s deep vocals lent gravitas to Caiaphas’s authority, while David Arran was very good, infusing Annas with a sly, almost serpentine quality that added layers to their scenes. Simon Cromwell as Simon and Gareth Howell Evans as Peter offered solid support, both vocally and dramatically, helping to anchor several key ensemble numbers.

The ensemble as a whole was notably strong, with good energy and well-coordinated movement throughout. Their choreography was sharp, contributing to the sense of rising tension and crowd hysteria central to the narrative. Whether as adoring followers or an angry mob, the ensemble’s performance-maintained momentum and visual interest. In JCS I do feel that the apostles need to stand out from the word go and this wasn’t always the case. Again, this is personal preference and I take nothing away from the vision of Director Melissa Davies. 

The set design worked well, providing a versatile and visually striking environment that adapted effectively to the story’s varied settings, from temple courts to Gethsemane and the starkness of Pilate’s palace. I particularly liked the used of the fly system for the cross at the end. It was very good and added that pro feel to the crucifixion scene. Lighting was used effectively to heighten mood and focus attention during pivotal scenes.

Musically, the band was good, delivering Lloyd Webber’s demanding rock score with precision and vitality. The balance between the band and the singers was well-judged for the majority of the performance, allowing the powerful vocals to shine without being overwhelmed. Across the cast, vocals were consistently strong, handling the challenging music with both technical skill and expressive power. 

Overall, Eclipse Productions offered a vibrant and emotionally engaging rendition of Jesus Christ Superstar. The production was marked by strong principal performances, a committed ensemble, and good musical execution, leaving the audience thoroughly appreciative of a classic show. 

I very much look forward to seeing We Will Rock You! Congratulations.

 

The views in this report are solely of the author.

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