Jesus Christ Superstar

Theatre revival

Types of venues , Theatre

Until Sun Sep 23 2012

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Time Out says

Wed May 16 2012

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.

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(17 ratings)

I thought the show was brilliant. It was very loud. Tim Minchin was undoubtably the best on stage by far. I thought the ticket price quite steep.

Bertie Mon Sep 24 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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I am going to see the Manchester show - can anyone tell me what time it finished? Thanks

Miriam Mon Sep 24 2012
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I disagree with Geraint - it was brilliant! It was loud but you need the volume turned up for such a big venue!

Christine Sun Sep 23 2012
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Wow! It really is wonderful music and there isn't a duff song in it. The new staging updates the setting to the current day and places it amidst the anti-capitalists protests at St Pauls with Twitter feeds, 24 news and reality TV which brought an original twist to Judas's line: 'If you'd come today, you could have reached the whole nation. Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication'. Tim Minchin was the standout star. His voice and charisma stole the show.

Sue Sat Sep 22 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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I really enjoyed this. Have always loved the musical and remember owing the original album. It was loud but not unbearable (maybe it depends on where your seat is) and there was some distortion in a couple of numbers, particularly 'The Temple'. Other than that I had no trouble understanding the lyrics. Thought all the leads were really good and loved Tim Minchin as Judas. I don't really like Chris Moyles but credit where it is due I thought he made a good Herod.

Gilly Sat Sep 22 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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Just awful. The sound quality was terrible, the volume unbearable, the singing (to be generous) was patchy, the lyrics are impossible to make out (and the few that can be made out are cheesy, clichéd and plain rubbish), the plot/songs are just bad and mind numbing, the 'acting' (to the extent that any can be discerned) is lousy. I had to use my noise canceling headphones to make it bearable (seriously!) I wouldn't see it again if you paid me, and if I hadn't gone with friends I'd have left during the first half. Go see something else.

Geraint Sat Sep 22 2012
Rated as: 1/5
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no belfast gig

maz Sun Jun 3 2012
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Jesus Christ Superstar

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