Nottingham Royal Concert Hall – until Saturday 13th January 2024
Reviewed by Jill Heslop
5*****
A standing ovation hailed this outstanding production of the iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall last night.
Directed by Timothy Sheader, this is a powerful theatrical experience with strong set design, dramatic lighting and excellent live music; with a 70s heavy metal feel mixed up with funky tones and sweeping choral harmonies. The set design by Tom Scutt, has a dark, heavy feel with hints of over-hanging olive branches and ladders up to heaven or infinity. Clever use of spotlights makes the lighting by Michael Seaman effective with subtle use of light and shadow.
The voices are the most impressive feature. Jesus played by Ian McIntosh is literally a superstar, with an impressive vocal range which wows the audience. The challenging role of Judas is played admirably by Shem Omari James and the difficult relationship between the two is convincingly played out. The presence of the live electric guitars played by Felix Strickland and Ryan Webber in the elevated balconies of the stage set, add to the feeling that we are at a ‘gig’ or rock festival. Hand held microphones and trailing wires add to this effect with the hanging microphone wires symbolic of Judas’s later fate hinted at.
There was a moving rendition of ‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’ by Hannah Richardson playing Mary Magdalene with her beautiful voice. The 39 lashes scene was very effective with a creative, well-choreographed interpretation of a disturbing situation in time to musical effects. The costumes of grungy leisurewear are transformed into cloak-wearing disciples, morphing later into a robe-wearing mob baying for the blood of Christ. The range of harmonies of this chorus was impressive, coupled with their constant, energetic movements and dancing. Herod, this time played exuberantly by Tamo Tadzber, makes a glamorous, camp appearance, lifting the mood of the second half briefly before the inevitable shocking sacrifice.
It was 1971 when this rock opera was first staged and it is heartening to see it brought to a whole new generation with such energy and passion. This is a strong, powerful, physical production with the betrayal of Jesus (Ian McIntosh) by everyone but Mary Magdalene (Hannah Richardson) dramatically portrayed. If you are wondering “What’s the Buzz”, then get yourself to the Royal Concert Hall and be wowed by this grand theatrical spectacle.