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An all-star line-up of King Herods has been announced for Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Michael Ball, Rob Brydon, Bob the Drag Queen and more will star in the musical when it transfers from the London Palladium.

Joining Eurovision sensation Sam Ryder as Jesus for a strictly limited season at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 16 October 2026 to 9 January 2027, sharing the part of King Herod, are Matt Bomer (16-31 October); Rob Brydon (2-7 November); Reece Shearsmith (9-14 November); Bob The Drag Queen (16-21 November); Michael Ball (23 November-5 December); Simon Russell Beale (7-12 December); Omid Djalili (14-19 December); and Layton Williams (21 December 2026-2 January 2027). Layton will also play the role for two weeks at The London Palladium in August. One final King is to be announced for the final week of performances (4-9 January 2027).

Jesus Christ Superstar follows the events of the last days of the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’ and the iconic title number ‘Superstar’. The musical begins preview performances at The London Palladium this week and plays for 11 weeks from 20 June to 5 September 2026. The production has extended performances for a limited 12-week engagement at Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 16 October 2026 to 9 January 2027, with Sam Ryder reprising the title role and a new line-up of King Herods revealed.

Book tickets to Jesus Christ Superstar at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Jesus Christ Superstar Tickets - Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London

Meet the King Herods at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

  • Matt Bomer is a Golden Globe Award-winning, Emmy Award-nominated actor. He is known for his role as charismatic con artist Neal Caffrey in the hit series White Collar, and for his acclaimed performance in Fellow Travelers. His theatre work includes the Broadway production of The Boys in the Band. Jesus Christ Superstar marks Bomer’s West End debut.
  • Rob Brydon MBE is an award-winning actor, comedian and presenter. He is best known for his role as Uncle Bryn in Gavin and Stacey and as host of the comedy panel show Would I Lie to You? He has also starred alongside Steve Coogan in the celebrated series The Trip.
  • Reece Shearsmith is a BAFTA Award-winning actor, writer and comedian, best known as a member of The League of Gentlemen. He co-created and starred in Psychoville and the nine-series BAFTA Award-winning anthology Inside No. 9. His stage credits include Ghost Stories and the stage adaptation of Inside No. 9 – Stage/Fright.
  • Bob The Drag Queen / Caldwell Tidicue is an award-winning comedian, actor and drag performer – best known for winning season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Bob the Drag Queen co-hosts HBO’s We’re Here and the acclaimed podcast Sibling Rivalry with Monét X Change. Bob’s Broadway debut was as Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge! The Musical earlier this year.
  • Michael Ball OBE is a double Olivier Award-winning singer, actor and broadcaster. He won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performances as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray and in the title role of Sweeney Todd. He originated the role of Marius in Les Misérables and Alex in Aspects of Love, the latter of which he also performed on Broadway.
  • Sir Simon Russell Beale is one of the UK’s most distinguished actors, with three Olivier Awards, two BAFTAs, one Tony Award and a knighthood for services to drama to his name. His screen work includes: The Death of Stalin, Mary Queen of Scots and The Choral.
  • Omid Djalili is an award-winning comedian and actor. His film credits include Gladiator, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and The Mummy. His theatre work includes starring as Fagin in Oliver! at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
  • Layton Williams is an Olivier Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated actor, singer and dancer, celebrated for his performances in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Cabaret and Titanique, the latter earning him an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical in 2025 and a Tony nomination in 2026. He is also widely known for reaching the final of Strictly Come Dancing and for his role as Stephen in TV series Bad Education

See live availability for Jesus Christ Superstar at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

A world-class creative team

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical Jesus Christ Superstar is directed by Tim Sheader, with choreography by Olivier Award-winner Drew McOnie and design by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Tom Scutt. This reunites the creative team of the 2016 production 10 years on to create a unique staging of their Olivier award-winning, worldwide smash-hit production. The production, which was originally created and produced at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, will play a limited 11-week season at The London Palladium followed by a 12-week season at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Originally released as an album, Jesus Christ Superstar opened on Broadway in 1971, at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, where it was nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Original Score. The original London production ran for more than eight years. By the time it closed, after 3,358 performances, it had become the longest-running musical in West End history at that time. Sam Ryder’s new recordings of “Gethsemane” and “What’s The Buzz?” are now available to listen to on all streaming platforms.

Plan your visit

Venue: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London

Booking dates: 16 October 2026 – 9 January 2027

Age guidelines: 10+

Jesus Christ Superstar - Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London

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Jesus Christ Superstar - Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Main photo: The all-star line-up of King Herods in Jesus Christ Superstar at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

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