Pamela Raith Photography
There are very few shows that, in the last 40 years, can truly claim to have changed the face of musical theatre forever. This is the one that did.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ground-breaking rock opera, exploded onto the West End stage in 1971, telling the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus through the eyes of the bad guy, Judas Iscariot.
As compelling today as it was at its inception over forty years ago, Jesus Christ Superstar features some of musical theatre’s most legendary songs from I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Everything’s Alright, and Gethsemane through to, of course, Superstar.
Pamela Raith Photography
Glenn Carter returns as Jesus, a role he has played in the West End, on Broadway and on film.
Pamela Raith Photography
Australian star Tim Rogers, a seasoned musical theatre performer, made his UK stage debut 15 years ago and now takes on the mighty role of Judas.
Pamela Raith Photography
Joining the company direct from the UK and European tour of Thriller Live is X Factor finalist Rachel Adedeji playing Mary Magdalene,
Pamela Raith Photography
Jesus Christ Superstar is at Milton Keynes Theatre from 13-18th July
Box Office: 0844 871 7652 or online: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
I had the pleasure to be at the opening night at MK, these were my thoughts later that evening:
I first realised that touring productions can be quite as good – sometimes better – than the original West End version when Phantom of the Opera came to Milton Keynes. Now here’s another, Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar as produced by Bill Kenwright is a theatrical experience not to be missed!
Its seems strange that Webber & Rice only wrote three musicals together because of the huge impact they’ve had. I’m sure they are both more than pleased with this current Kenwright treatment of it. Directed by Bob Thomson and Bill Kenwright the world’s oldest story could so easily have misfired or even offended, but it did neither of those things. The sets were unobtrusive but perfectly effective, the cast gave this performance their all led by Glenn Carter (what a voice that man has!). Tim Oxbrow took over the difficult role of Judas Iscariot for the performance I witnessed and was close to hitting the press with the old “Understudy Makes Good” headline. Rachel Adedeji was an Xfactor finalist with a beautiful voice and is now happily honing her acting skills with this show. The entire cast are a very tight and talented team who all deserve a mention but standing out for me was Tom Gilling as King Herod and the superb voice of Cavin Cornwall as Caiaphas.
The crucifixion scene was the scene if any that might have misfired, but it was done so tastefully that it brought complete silence to the auditorium and I have to admit a lump to the throat of this cynical old atheist! Whatever your faith, or if you are not of a religious background at all, I urge you to get to see this production – the reason this is the oldest story in the world is purely because its the strongest one!
Ernie Almond
Jesus Christ Superstar is at Milton Keynes Theatre from 13-18th July
Box Office: 0844 871 7652 or online: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
