JC Superstar for Edinburgh

Mar 7 2023 | By More

Playhouse dates for Olivier Award-winning revival

The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s reimagined production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar will visit Edinburgh’s Playhouse in February 2024 as part of a major UK tour.

The tour has further Scottish dates in Aberdeen (His Majesties, 10-14 Oct 2023 book here) and Glasgow(Glasgow King’s, 16 – 21 Oct 2023 book here). It plays Edinburgh Tue 10 – Sat 14 Feb 2024, with tickets on sale here from Wednesday 8 March 2023 at 10am.

Brett Hennessey Jones and the company of the North American Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Pic: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Jesus Christ Superstar is a sung-through musical set against the backdrop of the events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas and recreated in Rice’s lyrics, with modern day attitudes, sensibilities and slang.

Likewise, Lloyd Webber’s score reflects its 1970s rock roots with such numbers as I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane and Superstar.

Originally released as a concept album in 1970, the show opened on Broadway in 1971 and the London West End in 1972 where it ran for eight years. When it closed in 1980 after 3,358 performances it remained the longest-running musical in West End history until it was overtaken by Cats in 1989.

Jesus Christ Superstar has been reproduced regularly around the world. It was revived on Broadway in 2012 and the ITV Superstar TV competition led to casting Ben Forster as Jesus in the 2012 arena tour – with Tim Minchin as Judas and Mel C as Mary Magdalene.

45 years

The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production in 2016 celebrated 45 years since the musical’s Broadway debut. It won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and the 2016 Evening Standard Award for Best Musical.

It played a West End engagement at the Barbican in 2019 before returning to Regent’s Park in a concert version during the summer of 2020. It is currently touring North America ahead of the UK tour opening in September in Manchester.

Producer David Ian said: “I am thrilled to be taking this award-winning production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s much loved musical Jesus Christ Superstar on tour.

“Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has created a fresh and bold new version of a beloved classic which will both enthral longtime fans of the show and delight those seeing it for the very first time.”

This production is helmed by director Timothy Sheader and choreographer Drew McOnie. Completing the creative team is designer Tom Scutt, lighting designer Lee Curran, sound designer Nick Lidster. Music supervision by Tom Deering.

Listings:

Jesus Christ Superstar
Edinburgh Playhouse, 18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA.
Tue 6 – Sat 10 Feb 2024
Evenings: 7.30pm; Weds, Sat mats: 2.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here from Wed 8 March 2023 at 10am.

His Majesty’s Theatre, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen, AB25 1GL
Tue 10 – Sat 14 Oct 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm; Mats Thurs: 2pm, Sat: 2.30pm.
Tickets and details: book here.

Glasgow Kings, 297 Bath St, Glasgow G2, UK
Mon 16 – Sat 21 Oct 2023
Evenings: 7.30pm; Weds, Sat mats: 2.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here.

Jack Hopewell and the company of the North American Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Pic Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

ENDS

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