Jesus Christ Superstar review (The Marlowe Theatre)

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★★★★★

I was completely taken with musical theatre as a child, inspired by some early theatre trips and my parent’s compilation CDs. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice were featured heavily on the albums and I quickly became aware of their writing, specifically ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, ‘Evita’ and ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. I always considered the pair to be the pinnacle of the musical theatre world and dreamt that one day I would get to see their work performed live. When I heard that the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ was coming to Canterbury, I jumped at the opportunity to review the sung-through rock musical at the Marlowe Theatre. The older I get, the more I adore grittier musical theatre and the production promised plenty of drama, tension and a timeless score.

Initial thoughts

I was not expecting to have such an emotional reaction to the show. This bold imagination of the classic seventies musical hits all of the right notes, both musically and creatively. The company soars under Tim Sheader’s direction, featuring an ensemble that captures the audience’s attention in every scene. The show also has the perfect amount of tension and drama, capturing the story of the Gospels’ account of the Passion of Jesus.

Enigmatic staging and lighting design

The musical is known for its dark themes and in this production, designer Tom Scutt looks to a fallen cross and almost post-apocalyptic, industrial set design in bringing to life the narrative. The set pieces are creatively illuminated by Lee Curran’s lighting, taking audiences on a rollercoaster journey through the final life and fate of Jesus Christ. The set is static throughout the show, but every scene feels unique thanks to varied and inspired lighting effects. A notable moment is Judas’s death scene, where the stage is awash with blood red hues. The creative decision to adopt fiery lighting and the symbolic use of a cable prop has a lasting impact.

Majestic musical supervision and direction

With the original 1970 concept album acting as a springboard for ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ to be turned into a full length musical, my expectations were high for the score. The musical numbers are in safe hands under the supervision of Tom Deering and musical direction of Grant Walsh. From the moment that the overture started, I was under the band’s spell, experiencing goosebumps on multiple occasions. A personal highlight of the musical arrangements was the layering of melodies in fusion numbers such as ‘The Last Supper’ and ‘The Arrest’. The complex structure in combination with Nick Lidster’s sound design brings some world class sound balancing and a truly immersive listening experience.

Musical performances

The entire cast have exceptional voices, with a standout being Hannah Richardson’s bewitching interpretation of Mary Magdalene. You could have heard a pindrop in the audience during ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, which was so emotionally charged. ‘Could We Start Again, Please?’ was another memorable moment, with Richardson joined by Joshua Hawkins as Peter. The harmonies were effortless, with the particular lines ‘I think you’ve made your point now’ and ‘You’ve even gone a bit too far to get the message home’ sending a shiver down my spine.

Spectacular ensemble

It goes without saying that the ensemble is the vital backbone of the show. The actors brought compelling performances to every scene, alternating between Jesus’ loyal followers, accusatory citizens and authoritative guards. Choreographer Drew McOnie has envisioned complex and precise movements which are by no means an easy feat to recreate. The ensemble gives their all to every step, enriching the overall theatrical experience. 

A phenomenal interpretation of the classic musical

The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is pure theatrical genius, with bold creative choices that take the musical to stratospheric heights. Surely coming as no surprise, it is a contender for my favourite musical of 2024 so far, with some of the most captivating performances that I have seen in years. Musical theatre enthusiasts in Kent, if there is one production that you should see this year, it is ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. You will not be disappointed by the deeply emotive presentation of the renowned rock opera. Last minute tickets can be purchased via the Marlowe Theatre’s website.

Thanks for reading my blog today.

Love Kat xxxx

*My ticket for Jesus Christ Superstar was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.