Jesus Christ Superstar Youth Group Production

If there is one thing that you can say about Joe Logan and Smile Musical Youth Theatre it is that they are not afraid to take on a challenge – given the pedigree of the Rice/Lloyd Webber musicals and their scores and the sheer enormity of the task in hand, this was a challenge that you knew they were going to relish – and relish it they did!

The first thing that you noticed when taking your seat at The Dormston Mill Theatre was the stage revealed an orchestra pit, live musicians was a new departure for Smile and as soon as they struck up the opening notes of this iconic overture, you knew exactly why the move was necessary.

From the outset, you knew you were in for something very special and momentous.  This rock opera launches memorable song after song at you without giving you time to gather your thoughts and the extremely talented cast coped with the relentless pace with ease.

Macy O’Donoghue as Judas opened to proceedings with an electrifying rendition of ‘Heaven on their Minds’, chilling you to your bones with unbounded talent. Major highlights came thick and fast – a tremendous performance by Nancy Minaker as Mary Magdalene  gave us a calming yet foreboding version of ‘Everything’s Alright’. We meet the Priests – Caiaphas, Makena Straker-Sharpe and Annas, played by Charlie McRobert with Eli, Cian Grayson, Zadok, Cat Allsop and Phineas, Maxwell Ridley with ‘This Jesus Must Die’ with a scary venom that took the audience by surprise. At other occasions they gave a frighteningly real performance oozing evil across the footlights with great facial expressions showing what they were really feeling as opposed to the weasel-words that were coming from their mouths. Freddie Perry’s Pilate was an intriguing portrayal of a man wrestling with his conscience and every moment of angst came across in ‘Pilate’s Dream’, a moving interpretation, tugging at the heartstrings. Mary’s ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’ was a veritable showstopper and there were many handkerchiefs at the ready as she confidently gave a faultless delivery. Alongside these amazing moments were some genius ensemble pieces.  It would be invidious of me not mention the whole company as I appreciate this superb production and the apostles featured heavily in the company members namely: Peter, Michael Robinson; Andrew, Hannah Allsop; James Zebedee, Isabella Fitzpatrick; John, Amelia Perry; Bartholomew, Katelyn Elizabeth Harper; Matthew, Evie-Marie Smith; Thomas, Taylor Simner; James Alphaeus, Grace Elizabeth Paskin; Thaddaeus, Annabelle Nneka Amogu; Phillip, Violet Flynn Jones and Simon the Zealot played by Josh Mills who gave a stirring rendition of ‘Simon Zealotes/Poor Jerusalem’ and the other Apostles, also some great performances from The Soul Girls – Molly-Ann Oakley, Isla Smith and Ezme-Jean Forbes-Moore and the ensemble Jackson Tomkys, Libby Sandle and Georgia Haynes who were part of great numbers such as ‘What’s the Buzz’, ‘The Temple’ and ‘Hosana’. The exhausting first act concluded with Judas taking the lead in ‘Damned for All Time/Blood Money’ along with the company.

Act Two was equally as riveting as we see Peter come into his own with ‘Peter’ Denial’ and ‘The Arrest’ and of course, ‘Herod’s Song’ was a little light relief, Taylor Simner as Herod who went down a storm with the audience as did Mary’s ‘Could We Start Again Please? again with Peter. For anyone that knows the show, there was that uneasy feeling as we were approaching the finale – the harrowing ‘Trial by Pilate/39 Lashes’ with Freddie Perry’s Pilate giving a most moving piece of theatre and Joe Logan’s enactment of the lashes was nothing but incredible and masterful.  This was followed by ‘Superstar’, with the company putting so much energy and enthusiasm into this legendary number but then, just to make you feel utterly reprehensible for enjoying the number it is the ‘Crucifixion’. There is one character and performer that I haven’t mentioned, the star integral to the production and Smile Youth Theatre have that star! Samuel Broomhall-Tighe as Jesus was superlative – everything that he did was in a class of its own – his amazing voice and range particularly in ‘Gethsemane’ was wondrous, along with Macy O’Donoghue’s Judas and his vitriol and hatred during ‘The Temple’ was frightening.

None of this would have been made possible without the diligent Production Team – Joe himself as Director and Choreographer, incredible work form Musical Director Elliott Lingard and Assistant Musical Director, Tom Fitzpatrick and Production Assistant and Stage Manager, Sarah Jennings – they have achieved miracles along with the Technical back-up of crew, Deputy Stage Manager Ethan Hamblett and Ashton Talbot and Luke Griffiths, Amazing Lighting Effects from Jack Tustin and Going Dark Theatre Services and Spot Operators Harry Gomm and Josh Lowe. Sound was in the capable hands of Daniel Woodall and Ethan Hamblett from DW Technical Services and Suzanne Harris’ Costumes and Bev Mills’ Props completed the piece.

I was blown away by the concept and performances in this production and everyone involved in any way deserves the plaudits they received and richly deserved.  Thank you to everyone at Smile Musical Youth Theatre for allowing me the privilege to witness this amazing night at the theatre and for my warm welcome. Incredible.

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