Triple Threat Talents in Superstar
“Tell me what you think about your friends at the top.Who’d you think besides yourself’s the pick of the crop?Buddha, was he where it’s at? Is he where you are?Could Mohammed move a mountain, or was that just PR?Did you mean to die like that? Was that a mistake, orDid you know your messy death would be a record breaker?”
Lyric from Jesus Christ Superstar sung by Judas
This is the most thrilling first act of Jesus Christ Superstar with its cast of actor musicians, people who can play an instrument, dance, sing and act superbly. The electric guitar riffs of the overture and the first number “Heaven on Their Minds” are compelling and involving in this, maybe the best of Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musicals.
In the darkened, small wood-lined space of the Watermill Theatre where the interior has been set out like a church, there is light breaking through a rose window and candles in perpendicular arched niches with wooden hammer beams at roof level. The closeness of the cast each carrying an instrument gives a powerful intensity to the boldness of the music. It was as if I could feel how synchronised, how close the company were in commitment to the production, how well they work together.
This musical has always given me some understanding as to why Judas (Max Alexander-Taylor) resents Jesus. He sings “You’ve begun to matter more than the things you say!”. “What’s the Buzz” conveys the way rumours spread through an anticipatory crowd of followers with Anjali Mehra’s excitingly choreographed hand and knee actions. Judas’s song of resentment and jealousy has a great contrast with the love and caring shown by Parisa Shahmir as Mary sweetly singing “Everything’s Alright” and she is truly exceptional.
I always love the entrance of the Jewish spiritual leaders, Annas with some of the stand out musical verses (Alexander Zane) and, with his gloriously deep register, Caiaphas (Olubenga Adelekan, an impressive bass guitarist and graduate of King’s Cambridge where he sang in the famous college choir). I enjoyed the way Adelekhan changes characters from one of the ensemble with his hair tied up to letting it down as the severe looking priest. There is of course some costume change as well but the change of hair really works to differentiate his parts.
Paul Hart has slickly directed this musical with a cast of 18 working well together, the cut off sides of the stage being used for those when just their instrument playing is needed. These 18 are so talented to produce the sound of a professional orchestra that I am in awe. Credit also to orchestrator Stuart Morley for adapting the score for the cast’s instruments.
Designer David Woodhead’s black themed costumes work well with small modifications but sadly the production photographs haven’t brought these design elements to the fore.
Act One has two other outstanding moments in the sung through score with two songs you will sing after the show. “Hosanna” and Mary’s sincere “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”. After the interval, the audience moves outside to the Watermill’s lawned garden ringed by trees, to assemble around the fire pit. It was bright sunshine when I saw it in July but by September after 8pm will be darkening which will change the atmosphere for “The Last Supper” and “Gethsemane” and “The Arrest”. Michael Kholwadia has the serious persona needed for Jesus and his high notes are strong and meaningful, “Just Watch Me Die”. Many of the cast have black uniforms to arrest Jesus after that fateful kiss, and on the roof top and fire escape, Annas and Caiaphas observe.
We return to the inside theatre for the tragic finale but first there is light relief with Samuel Morgan-Grahame’s Herod in full leather and bling SM gear for full comedy, which always leaves me feeling uncomfortable. I suppose I’m too involved in Jesus’s Story to want to laugh. We are too close to the flogging and crucifixion but we see Pilate (Christian Edwards) unable to make the mob rethink.
This adventurous and brilliant production has full five stars from Theatrevibe, the site that doesn’t do stars. I just wish I lived closer to Newbury for its outstanding musicals, Barnum which Bill Kenwright is to tour starring Lee Mead and Piaf which I saw last.
Musical Numbers
Act One
Overture
Heaven On Their Minds
What’s The Buzz
Strange Thing, Mystifying
Everything’s Alright
This Jesus Might Die
Hosanna
Simon Zealotes / Poor Jerusalam
Pilate’s Dream
The Temple
Everything’s Alright (Reprise)
I Don’t Know How To Love Him
Damned For All Time / Blood Money
Act Two
The Last Supper
Gethsemane
The Arrest
Peter’s Denial
Pilate and Christ / Herod’s Song
Could We Start Again, Please?
Judas’s Death
Trial by Pilate / 39 Lashes
Superstar
Crucifixion
John 19:41
Production Notes
Jesus Christ Superstar
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Directed by Paul Hart
Cast
Starring:
Christian Edwards
Hazel Monaghan
Max Alexander-Taylor
Samuel Morgan-Grahame
Parisa Shahmir
Tasha Chu
Seb Harwood
Michael Kholwadia
Michali Dantes
Olugbenga Adelekan
Alexander Zane
Jordan Eskeisa
Maisie Mandley
Lily Françoise
Trisha Kumar
Alex Anthony Fevrier
Sebastian Hugo
Finan McKinney
Creatives
Director: Paul Hart
Choreographer: Anjali Mehra
Designer: David Woodhead
Musical Supervisor and Orchestrations: Stuart Morley
Lighting Designer: Rory Beaton
Sound Designer: Tom Marshall
Video and Projection: Daniel Denton
Musical Director: Rebecca Kelly
Information
Running Time: Two hours including an interval
Booking until 21st September 2025
Theatre:
Watermill Theatre
Bagnor,
Newbury
RG20 8AE
Box Office: 01635 46044
Website: watermill.org.uk
Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge
at the Watermill Theatre
on 3rd July 2025
