Aged eight I was helping pack up our house for a move when I came across a colourful album cover so I asked Dad to put it on. It was the 1970 cast recording of Jesus Christ Superstar and I have been hocked on musicals for many a moon since with JC holding a special place.
This is the sixth production I have seen over the years, and what I consider is the best modern musical opening overture didn't fail to raise the usual goosebumps. If you haven't seen this show the name is the giveaway. In a compact couple of hours this seventies ‘rock opera’ charts the last few says of Jesus and his apostles from Jesus at the Temple, Judas’s betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane to his audience with King Herod and his eventual crucifixion.
I have to admit I hadn’t heard of any of the three leads but I wasn’t disappointed. The man himself was performed by Glenn Carter, a very aloof and almost arrogant Christ who went from gentle whispers to belting out those seventies highs with ease. Judas Iscariot was Australian native Tim Rogers. Unassuming at first but again he had no problem with the range of emotion and rock star sounds required of Judas. Not long out of college Rachel Adedeji was a brave choice for Mary Magdalene who has some of the most iconic modern musical ballads to perform. A little shaky for the first few bars of Everything is Alright she went on to a great performance with a beautiful I Don’t Know How to Love Him.
Other notable performances where from the incredibly creepy Cavin Cornwall as Caiaphas, Johnathan Tweedie a very commanding Pontius Pilot and a King Herod that didn’t disappoint. Herod is the light entertainment in JC and increasingly camp in every production I see. Tom Gillling was a real treat complete with nipple tassels!
The musicians led by Bob Broad did an amazing job bringing this seventies classic to Nottingham. The set design was simple but grand with the stage being the inside of a grand temple that Lighting Director Nick Richings could illuminate for the priests or play down for the intimate moments between Jesus and his apostles. The only area I felt disappointed by was the choreography, it wasn't a massive cast but the movement was a little predictable and dull for such a vibrant production.
If you are a Webber/ Rice fan and haven’t seen this one, you must. If you are not a big musical fan give it a go – it's loud, colourful and full of catchy tunes you will take home with you.
Jesus Christ Superstar plays at Nottingham's Theatre Royal from Tuesday 30 June to Saturday 4 July 2015
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