Jesus Christ Superstar exploded onto the musical scene in 1971 - stunning audiences and changing the face of musical theatre forever. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus through an extraordinary, groundbreaking score. Read more …
As compelling today as it was at its inception over forty years ago, Jesus Christ Superstar has 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.
While its seventies sensibilities cling to it, from the power chords to the make-up of the cast, this is a Jesus Christ Superstar that reflects a contemporary preoccupation with the individual.
Jesus Christ Superstar is by no means an Old Testament needing dusted off; it’s a quick paced ocean of rock with moments of tranquil brilliance throughout, suffering only a few bumps in an otherwise marvellous show.
Affecting stuff, whether or not you are a fan of religion, Lloyd-Webber, or indeed musicals, and always worth a look, although there have been, and will be, more absorbing versions.
This was a bit of a mixed bag - frustrating and thrilling by turns - but the music and lyrics still contain enough power to send chills down your spine, and the strength of some performances more than make up for the weaker ones. Superstar fans will no doubt still find this a super show.
There is a modicum of choral subtlety beyond the bombast in a once iconic creation that now seems to have lost its beatific sheen.
Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh from Tuesday April 7, 2015, until Saturday April 11, 2015. More info: www.edinburghplayhouse.org.uk
King's Theatre, Glasgow from Tuesday October 6, 2015, until Saturday October 10, 2015. More info: www.theambassadors.com/kings/