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There are West End rumours that Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s classic musical Jesus Christ Superstar may be heading back to London.

The show may be on its way to the West End following its current UK & Ireland tour, which saw it play Wimbledon Theatre last week, and now head to Woking, Sunderland, Canterbury, Sheffield, Llandudno, Torquay, Dartford and Cheltenham, before playing Blackpool Winter Gardens from 12 to 17 August 2024.

Producers have already said that the show is adding more tour dates, but WestEndTheatre.com believes that the show may head to the West End.

This acclaimed production originated at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 2016, directed by Timothy Sheader with choreography by Drew McOnie, design by Tom Scutt, lighting design by Lee Curran, sound design by Nick Lidster and music supervision by Tom Deering.

It then visited the Barbican Theatre in 2019, before returning to Regent’s Park in 2020, and then heading out on tour in September 2023, starting at the Palace Theatre Manchester featuring Julian Clary as Herod.

Where Jesus Christ Superstar would play in London is currently unknown, although it’s a safe bet that one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s LW Theatres would be the preferred location.

Top of the list would be the Gillian Lynne Theatre, which currently has the National Theatre’s Standing at the Sky’s Edge playing until 3 August, followed by the current tour of The Wizard of Oz, featuring additional songs by Lloyd Webber and Rice.

Oz plays to 8 September, which makes for quite a gap before the RSC’s My Neighbour Totoro opens there on 8 March 2025. The Gillian Lynne has a fully flexible auditorium, making it easy to take the production back to its roots, recreating a similar staging to its original production at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

Another possibility is the vast Lloyd Webber-owned Theatre Royal Drury Lane. That grand lady currently has Disney long-runner Frozen The Musical playing until 8 September so, again, perfect timing for JCS; although the venue’s large capacity and huge stage may be a mark against it.

The current cast of Jesus Christ Superstar features Ian McIntosh as Jesus, Shem Omari James as Judas and Hannah Richardson as Mary, alongside Ryan O’Donnell as Pilate, Timo Tatzber as Herod, Jad Habchi as Caiaphas, Matt Bateman as Annas, and Luke Street as Simon and alternate Jesus and Judas

Completing the cast are Charlie McCullagh as Jesus at certain performances, Jasmine Jules Andrews, Pàje Campbell, Louise Francis, Francis Foreman, Megan Bryony G, Joshua Hawkins, Darius J James, Cassandra Lee, Stephen Lewis-Johnston, Charlie McCullagh, Jago Mottart, Mia Musakambeva, Timothy Roberts, Jordan Michael Todd, Carla Bertran, Daniel Bowskill, Myla Carman and Christopher Tendai.

Jesus Christ Superstar is produced by David Ian for Crossroads Live and Work Light Productions. The original production was produced by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

Currently playing in the West End is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long-running musical The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre, with a forthcoming revival of his musical Starlight Express hitting London next month. Also Tim Rice’s The Lion King continues to play the West End’s Lyceum Theatre.

In August 2022, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice hit the incredible milestone of 50 years working in the West End, a milestone that all started with the original production ofJesus Christ Superstar at the West End’s Palace Theatre on 9 August 1972.

Fingers crossed that we will see Jesus Christ Superstar back in the West End to celebrate its 52nd year of success!

Book tickets to Jesus Christ Superstar – UK & Ireland Tour

Jesus Christ Superstar - London Palladium

London Palladium, London

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Jesus Christ Superstar - London Palladium
Main photo: Jesus Christ Superstar - UK Tour 2024. Photo by Paul Coltas

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