Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lyrics: Tim Rice. Queensland Musical Theatre. Director: Deian Ping. Musical Director: Andrew Wadley. Choreographer: Jess Page. Schonell Theatre. June 8 – 12, 2016

Despite being forty-four years old, Webber and Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar still thrills musically. The score is irresistibly catchy and the lyrics are witty and literate. Although labelled a rock-opera it’s really a rock-oratorio and as such demands strong voices. It also needs to be staged simply to be effective.

Deian Ping’s modern-dress production appears to be based on the 2012 re-imagined UK tour version with the cast in jeans, T-shirts and hoodies, the Apostles as suits, and Israeli soldiers with automatic rifles. With a scaffolding set upstage with two staircases and some rostra it’s a good look. It’s also a good production, with good performances and a memorably horrific lashing scene where Jesus is covered in blood.

Star of the show is Chris Simpson as Judas. It’s always been the outstanding role of the piece and Simpson’s raw, strident vocals did it justice. He commandeered the stage. In comparison Archie Reyes’s Jesus somewhat lacked authority in the early scenes but his second-act vocal of “Gethsemane” was spot-on. Emma Gow also gave a standout performance as Mary Magdalene and sang “Everything’s Alright” with understanding and “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” with true affection.

Baritone Stephen Beck, on loan from the Opera Q Chorus, was a commanding presence as Pontius Pilate, likewise Bass Baritone Neil Ballment who did sterling work as Caiaphas.

“King Herod’s Song,” usually a showstopper, was hampered by a very ordinary dance routine and James Rogers pitchy vocal.

Others to be noticed were Adam Milton as Peter and Pierre Nicol as Annas. Special mention should also be made of the backing-chorus work, which added immensely to the musical satisfaction of the production, as did the five-piece band under Andrew Wadley.

Peter Pinne           

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