(AD – PRESS NIGHT) JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR HULL REVIEW
HULL NEW THEATRE
MONDAY 2ND OCTOBER 2023 @ 7.30PM
***** 5/5
Autumn signifies the start of a very busy theatre season for me as plenty of UK tours stop off in Hull for a week. This week’s show is a classic rock musical that has been thrilling audiences since 1971 (1972 in the UK). Here’s my Jesus Christ Superstar Hull review.
PRE-SHOW THOUGHTS
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen the movie before because it’s one of my dad’s favourite movie musicals. However, it’s been quite some time since I have watched it. I do know that it’s got an iconic soundtrack, probably moreso than the production itself, so I was excited to see how it translated onto the stage. I’d also seen a couple of the cast members in other shows so was looking forward to seeing them in their new roles!
THE CAST
Whilst there are obviously named characters, the entire ensemble deserves a shout-out first. The stage is fairly small as the set-up is quite big (more on that later). Somehow, they manage to cover just about every inch of the stage with their presence. The harmonies are insane too.
Ian McIntosh as Jesus is a proper leading man. He has such a vocal range and his rockier tone really suits this role. This role is pretty demanding and he really shines in it. Shem Omari James plays Judas and once again, he has vocals for days. I’ve seen James previously in Dreamgirls and it was great to see him in more of a starring role. He has a real presence on stage, especially as a villain, but you still want to root for him too.
Hannah Richardson as Mary was a beautiful addition. Her voice was stunning in both vulnerable and powerful moments. She actually reminded me a lot of Philippa Soo with her vocals. I just wish Mary had more of a starring role because it’s a very male-dominated show!
The baddies include Ryan O’Donnell as Pilate, Jad Habchi as Caiaphas, Matt Bateman as Annas, and Timo Tatzber as Herod. All four have at least one starring scene and really command the stage with their voices and presence.
THE MUSIC
Arguably, the best thing about Jesus Christ Superstar is the score. I’ll admit I’m not the biggest ALW fan (massive Tory and all) but he knows how to write a melody. That’s why people often refer to the show as a rock opera, rather than a musical. It’s stood the test of time and still sounds very relevant today.
The score is backed up by an incredible band. They’re very loud, it felt like I was at a rock concert because my ears were ringing the following day. The audience was very appreciative as they got one of the loudest cheers of the night!
THE PRODUCTION
Despite both acts starting slightly later than planned, the on-stage action was smooth sailing. I’d say the props really lend to the show, from the crockery at The Last Supper to the staffs that doubled up as microphones at the other end (very cool). I won’t include any spoilers but there is also a great use of both paint and glitter.
Hats off to Drew McOnie, the choreographer, because it is both symbolic and modern. I’d say it’s more contemporary and hip-hop in style but it’s definitely a way to tell the story through movement.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m surprised that I enjoyed the show as much as I did. By the interval, I couldn’t believe how quickly the first act had flown by and then the second did too. It’s just under two hours of running time, purely because it’s sung all the way through. Considering it’s telling one of the oldest stories ever told, it feels incredibly modern and relevant.
The tour has only just started and you can find more dates here. If you enjoyed my Jesus Christ Superstar Hull review, you can find the rest of my reviews here. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram for more stagey happenings too!
