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This is not a good time to be an Andrew Lloyd Webber hater, with the musical theatre legend on track to be almost as popular as he was in the ’80s. Jamie Lloyd’s Rachel Zegler-starring Evita revival was the year’s most talked about show, a first ever UK revival of Cats was announced to much anticipation; over in New York Lloyd’s Sunset Boulevard revival took the Tonys by storm and critics were wowed by hipster off-Broadway Cats revival The Jellicle Ball. He’s even buried the hatchet with his old writing partner Tim Rice long enough for the duo to pen some new songs for this year’s Birmingham Rep Christmas show.
And today it’s been announced that another of his classics will follow Evita into the Palladium, running throughout next summer.
It’s not just any revival of 1971’s Jesus Christ Superstar, but rather a fresh outing for current Donmar boss Tim Sheader’s excellent 2016 Open Air Theatre production, which transferred to the Barbican three years later. Bombastic and grungy with a very cool set by Tom Scutt it will be a treat to see it again on an even larger stage (though worth saying Lloyd’s Evita also came from the Open Air Theatre and he completely changed it for the Palladium - Sheader may do the same).
If you’re unfamiliar, the musical – by Webber and Rice – is essentially a surprisingly fun rock concert adaptation of the story of the Last Supper and Crucifixion. The lead role is in a very literal sense Jesus Christ and playing him will be musician, social media personality and almost Eurovision winner Sam Ryder, who isn’t as big a star as Zegler but is a decent get who maybe also looks a bit like Jesus in a sort of ‘strawberry blonde white guy’ way. We’re not sure at this stage that he can definitely act, but it’s a very musician-y role, and while he’s the only actor confirmed so far, he’s sure to be surrounded by an experienced cast.
Jesus Christ Superstar will play at the London Palladium, Jun 20-Sep 5 2026. Tickets go on sale Nov 26 or sign up for the Nov 25 pre-sale here.
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