A round-up of reviews of Jesus Christ Superstar – UK Arena Tour.
Chris Moyles as Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar
A major new arena production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar has hit the UK, and reviews are now in.
The show divides critical opinion quite starkly, with a number of critics loving the spectacle and show’s modern-day setting against the backdrop of the Occupy London protesters, but others finding the volume and the scale of the show working against the material. Most critics praise the performances.
Celebrating 40 years since the show first opened in London’s West End, the show’s lead role of Jesus has been cast from recent ITV talent show Superstar – with Ben Forster crowned the winner. He is joined by comedian and writer Tim Minchin as Judas, former Spice Girl Melanie C as Mary Magdalene and former Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Chris Moyles as King Herod.
The show is touring the UK including the O2 Arena in London, Glasgow SECC, Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, Manchester Arena, Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, Birmingham National Indoor Arena, Liverpool Echo Arena, Nottingham Capital FM Arena and the Sheffield Motorpoint Arena.
See reviews below including from The Guardian, Telegraph and Independent. Viewing this on a tablet or phone? Click here.
"Andrew Lloyd Webber, [who] should have known better than to crucify his own child by presenting it in this arena format with a Jesus (Ben Forster) cast from a TV talent show, a former Spice Girl – Mel C – as Mary Magdalene, and Tim Minchin as Judas... it is Chris Moyles's leering turn as Herod, a game show host in red crushed velvet demanding the audience vote whether this Jesus is a fraud or a lord, which is the surprise success of an unconvincing evening." Read more
Daily Mail
★★★
"He might have won an ITV talent show to be crowned Jesus Christ Superstar, but while Ben Forster was incredible in the title role of the new arena tour there is only one true superstar in the show- Tim Minchin" Read more
The Daily Telegraph
★★★★
"Ben Forster, who won the role of Jesus on ITV's Superstar, proves that the public vote can sometimes get things right: he looks great and sings powerfully. Melanie Chisholm, a lovely relaxed Mary Magdalene, proves again that she was too good for the Spice Girls; while Chris Moyles, delightful as Herod, proves that there is life beyond Radio 1. But it is Minchin who proves that Jesus Christ Superstar is a work of conceptual genius." Read more
The Independent
★★★★
"a thrilling production by Laurence Connor that uses the insignia of Occupy London, newsreel and video reportage and a game show voting process at the court of King Herod – is he a Lord or a Fraud, ladies and gentlemen, text this number – to renew the energy of political insurgency and repression." Read more
The Stage
"I’ve seldom seen a production as utterly misconceived and overblown as this one. That’s partly, of course, a function of trying to fill such a vast stage and reach such a huge audience." Read more
1 thought on “Jesus Christ Superstar – Round-up of reviews”
Rosina lounds
Saw the show last night and had no expectations other than it should very good as Lloyd webber and Mel c put their names to it. O. M. G. what a performance. Mel was superb, note perfect and so convincing of her love for Jesus. Tim was awesome, who knew he had such a fantastic voice, superb. Chris moyles as herod was great, brought laughter to the stage. However the inspiring talent of Ben Forster should be recognised as such, its not very often someone’s performance can bring you to tears but he did just that. A truly deserved standing ovation.
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Saw the show last night and had no expectations other than it should very good as Lloyd webber and Mel c put their names to it. O. M. G. what a performance. Mel was superb, note perfect and so convincing of her love for Jesus. Tim was awesome, who knew he had such a fantastic voice, superb. Chris moyles as herod was great, brought laughter to the stage. However the inspiring talent of Ben Forster should be recognised as such, its not very often someone’s performance can bring you to tears but he did just that. A truly deserved standing ovation.