Jesus Christ Superstar

I have heard many comments about Jesus Christ Superstar, including it is a show you either like or dislike and even hate at times. Well this was my first viewing of the show and I do hope it is not my last; of course I knew most of the songs and like most people knew the story.

Dee Bennie-Marshall decided to do this in a very modern setting starting with rival gangs coming on to the stage initially fighting and then morphing into a well choreographed dance routine. I felt this worked very well as it is a story which most people can relate to in modern times and not just in the biblical era.

Dee also decided to take it back to its original roots as a rock opera with loud music and typical dancing befitting the piece. I did hear someone had complained about the music being too loud but for me it could have been even louder to give it its full justice.

There were some outstanding performers in this, some being new ones and some not so new, a newcomer to principal roles was Brad Swinburne as Simon, Brad looked and sounded every bit the part and I am sure he will have a long career in performing.  I have seen Alex Wilkins many times on stage both as a character and also in cabaret but I have to say he was perfect in this part as Caiaphas, his deep rich baritone voice brought it to life. For me one of the difficult parts in this show is that of Pontius Pilate, most people I think would be unsure whether to play him as a nasty piece of work or one asking for sympathy from the audience. Jonathan Taylor chose neither of these portrayals and instead played him as someone who thought he knew everything and had it all stitched up until this Jesus person comes along and I think he was right to do this, getting every ounce out of the part. Emily Huddleston was a delight to watch as Mary, her singing of the songs was a wonder to hear and she was able to make the part her own especially when she was part of the gang culture joining in with her friends but then showing her caring side for Jesus.

The part of King Herod was played as camp as Christmas by a glittering Ashley Booker, he certainly sparkled his way through Herod’s Song complete with glittery lipstick and nail varnish almost bringing the house down.

 This show is the story of the last few days of Jesus as told through the eyes of Judas who was played by Ian Fryer and he worked the part all the way through the entire show but I have to say I felt there was something lacking, not necessarily in his performance but something which I am unable to put my finger on and this is a big shame as Ian did work very hard at this.

One of the things this show calls for is an outstanding actor to play the title role and Rotherham Teachers certainly got this with Scott Johnson, I can’t say he looked the typical person we all come to think of as Jesus with long hair and a beard, but boy did he play that part and give it his all. There are some very demanding songs for anyone playing Jesus culminating with Gethsemane which calls for an actor with a tremendous range to be able to hit all the high notes and also give it some clout. Scott had it all, he hit the notes with ease and I believe would have had the stamina to carry on if the show had called for it.

The end of the story as we all know sees Jesus on the cross and at this point you could have heard a pin drop, he had been nailed in place and the rest of the actors left the stage for the final scene, I would imagine there would have been many tearful eyes at that point.

Well done RTOS and congratulations on your centenary, here’s to the next 100 years.  

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