‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ has arrived in Edinburgh for a week at the Playhouse (playing till Saturday 10th Feb). The Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical has been updated in a new production from Regents Park Open Air Theatre. Loosely based on the Gospel’s accounts of the Passion, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ brings rock and a contemporary stylized vision to the days leading up to the crucifixion of Christ.
Ian McIntosh leads this production as Jesus with powerful vocals, a gritty and at points dark demeanour, which brings the Christian martyr to life with such a modern rejuvenation. McIntosh consistently provides a dread which shows that Jesus foresees his death and betrayal. With this, the most notable point of this portrayal is the stunning rendition of ‘Gethsemane’, which is performed with such poignancy and emotion, there was even a standing ovation from some members of the audience.
Shem Omari James brings us a Judas who is not depicted as such a villain but someone who is conflicted by the growth of religion and what he believes to be sinful behaviour from Jesus. Throughout the production you see Judas’ inner conflict, his distain at Jesus’ choices and his pain and making his choice. The emotion and tension that Shem builds here is effective. This paired with superb vocals brings a well-rounded portrayal.
Hannah Richardson portrays Mary with naivety, love and confusion, showing the clear complex dynamic between her and Jesus’ relationship. The most notable performance with this portrayal is of course ‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’, which was performed with stunning vocals, however, there was room for more emotion to be portrayed to pack a heavier punch. That being said, this was still a highly enjoyable performance.
Ryan O’Donnell’s Pilate shows power, anger and yet a sense of remorse for Jesus. As much as this presence still shows aggression towards Jesus’ cause, he shows Jesus pity, and almost pleads for him not to have to take such drastic action. The shift in this character’s emotions is portrayed with such nuance by Ryan and makes Pilate a complex catalyst in the narrative.
Jad Habchi as Caiaphas and Matt Bateman as Annas are foreboding and powerful as the high priests, a rival to Jesus’ cause. Their embracing of the stylized presence of these characters helps not only add to the character’s presence in this production but also bring a rich characterization to their sequences in each scene.
Timo Tatzber is incredible as Herod, the short time he has on stage is simply sublime, the character has been heightened into almost a drag persona, which works perfectly to instantly achieve the power needed for this character. Also, the vocals and presence radiated from Timo alone, is incredible. This is a great supporting role.
The ensemble in this production provide simply sublime vocals and deliver stunning choreography which helps piece together the incredible visual feasts that this production features. The ensemble are as follows; Luke Street (Simon), Jasmine Jules Andrews, Carla Bertran, Daniel Bowskill, Pàje Campbell, Myla Carmen, Francis Foreman, Louise Francis, Joshua Hawkins, Darius J James, Cassandra Lee, Stephen Lewis-Johnston, Jordan Michael Todd, Jago Mottart, Mia Musakambeva, Timothy Roberts & Christopher Tendai.
Timothy Sheader’s direction of this production brings ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ into the 21st Century with grit, colour, and style, shortening the production and bringing an almost concert version to audiences which still holds the creativity with Lloyd Webber and Rice’s music & lyrics. The only thing that would be said as a criticism is at some points there should be moments for both the performers and audience to breathe and let the emotion in some of the scenes land. That being said, this is an ambitious and severely creative production that for it’s shockingly short running length tackles so much with almost perfection in each scene. Drew McOnie provides incredible stylized choreography for this production, consistently throughout the ensemble’s quick, sharp and visually stunning choreo leaves the audience speechless, this is one of the most contemporary and creative choreo tracks I have seen in a long time.
Tom Scutt’s design of this production is minimalistic with the cross as a platform with two metal huts that the band inhabits, yet it is highly effective and with Lee Curran’s lighting design it looks phenomenal. Poppy Hall’s costume design goes from pale colours which work stupendously on the ensemble or rich purples/blues for the high priests, to the stunning gold outfit on Herrod, the versatility of colour and style is simply sublime to behold. Michael Riley’s Musical Direction makes the iconic score of this musical sound as good as it ever has, with a powerful band, which no one would complain if the volume was turned up louder! This production looks and sounds incredible.
Regents Park Open Air Theatre’s touring production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is a visual feast that contemporizes the 70s musical, shortening it and maturing it’s context for a 21st-century audience. This is an outstanding piece of musical theatre that holds such creativity and talent that is simply too good to miss.
Get tickets here – https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/jesus-christ-superstar/edinburgh-playhouse/
Photography – Paul Coltas
Theatre Scotland 
Leave a comment