Review: Jesus Christ Superstar at Bristol Hippodrome

It’s 54 years since Jesus Christ Superstar started as a hippy-era concept album with words by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber but this biblical rock opera based on the final days before the death of Jesus has enjoyed a resurrection of its own since the award-winning 2016 revival at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

This touring production is directed by Timothy Sheader and choreographed by Drew McOnie, the same duo responsible for that groundbreaking Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre show, which is widely regarded as the definitive version. 

In fact before curtain-up at the Hippodrome, the woman sitting next to me in the stalls told her friend she had worn out her DVD of that famous London production and was having to buy a replacement copy.

At just under two hours including the 20-minute interval, this isn’t exactly an epic production considering the complexity and weight of the subject matter but after a slow start, it soon gathers pace thanks to quick succession musical numbers (there is no dialogue in this rock opera).

Darkly lit with neutral costumes and simplistic set design - including a cross-shaped runway where much of the action takes place - this is certainly not the bright and colourful musical many regular theatregoers are used to.

It’s all quite dark and moody, at times it feels as if you are watching it through the wrong end of your theatre binoculars.

But this haziness adds to the intensity of the performances, especially Ian McIntosh as Jesus. With his vast and powerful vocal range, Macintosh delivers a quite phenomenal performance on songs like Gethsemane, where he is joined by the equally impressive Shem Omari James as Judas.

There are some mesmerising dance routines from the ensemble, who are also blessed with fine voices themselves on big numbers like What’s The Buzz and Hosanna.

As Mary Magdalene, Spice Girl Mel C effectively redefined this pivotal role at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre but Hannah Richardson puts in an equally fine performance here on stand-out songs Everything’s Alright and I Don’t Know How to Love Him.

On press night, the role of Herod was performed brilliantly by Timo Tatzber but ticket-holders on Thursday, Friday and Saturday will see Julian Clary step into the role for Herod’s Song.

By the final scenes of the Crucifixion, where Jesus is pulled onto the golden-lit cross with dry ice swirling across the stage, the audience looked as exhausted as the performers. I know I did.

A subdued and non-musical final bow from the tired out cast added an other-worldly quality to what was an uproarious standing ovation. 

With a spike in antisemitic hate incidents in this country and war raging in Gaza, it’s somewhat poignant that a show about the so-called ‘king of the Jews’ is selling out venues across the UK and thrilling audiences wherever it goes. After more than 50 years, this timeless musical has never looked more revived.

Jesus Christ Superstar is at Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday, March 16. For tickets, click here.