Jesus Christ Superstar

Can a musical be as satisfying when it has to fill a cavernous rock arena? Actually, this touring revival of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' is the first chance the UK has to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's biblical smash as it was originally staged. Initially created by Webber and Tim Rice as an album, 'JCS' made its live debut in 1971 as an arena-touring US show, only opening on the West End the following year. As with most latter-day Webber shows, lead Ben Forster – a veteran of such shows as 'Thriller Live' – was selected by public vote, via the TV show 'Superstar'. That was something of a flop, but sales for this show have been brisk, thanks largely to the previously announced rest of the cast, which includes stadium-tastic musical comic Tim Minchin as Judas and ex-Spice Girl Mel C – who wowed critics in 'Blood Brothers' – as Mary Magdalene. It's probably best not to dwell on the presence of noisy breakfast DJ Chris Moyles as Herod, but you have to concede that Webber knows how to pick a hate figure.