Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ever since I saw Timothy Sheader’s bold reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre I thought how perfect it would look on the Lowry’s Lyric stage, fast-forward several years and here we are in sunny Salford where there’s undoubtedly a buzz in the air.

This innovative restaging of the much-loved classic thrills right from the very first moments as the ensemble excitedly rush through the stalls onto Tom Scutt’s industrial looking set, complete with high scaffold columns and an imposing fallen cross.

As the iconic intro notes to Heaven On Their Minds play out, we see a brooding, hooded Shem Omari James as Judas surveying the scene. Judas and Jesus poignantly lock eyes for the 1st time before Shem Omari James’ crystal clear vocals give us a striking indicator of the quality of the production we’re about to see.

Ian McIntosh is superb in the role of Jesus, his vocals are insanely good, while his performance is rich in empathy and emotion as he accepts the fate he knows lies before him. His delivery of Gethsemane is electric, ensuring every audience member feels his turmoil at this pivotal point in the show. Lee Curran’s lighting design adding to the already spine-tingling scene making this an absolute chef’s kiss moment.

The scenes between Judas and Jesus are intense and loaded, each character is well-defined, and has their own powerful story to tell. The symbolism and poignancy of each heated exchange between the two further engaging us in this beautifully directed piece.

Hannah Richardson gives a heavenly performance as Mary Magdelane, she softens each scene with her gentle, loving characterisation, further opening up the opportunity to show Jesus as a multifaceted, complex man. Her delivery of I Don’t Know How To Love Him is sublime.

Ryan O’Donnell gives a commanding, considered performance as Pilot his incredible vocals during Trial Before Pilot are a thrilling highlight of the show. Timo Tatzber makes the most of every minute on stage as the brilliantly brattish, bawdy Herod, his physicality and flamboyance perfectly embodying the character.

Jad Habchi and Stephen Lewis-Johnston as High Priests Caiaphas and Annas are incredible, strong and striking as they plot to bring Jesus down, they have the most unbelievable ranges and deliver Tim Rice’s lyrics in memorable style.

In addition to the leads the tremendous ensemble ensure this visually arresting production surprises and impresses throughout. They deliver Drew McOnie’s modern choreography with stunning accuracy, switching from celebratory crowd to baying mob with powerful precision.

The inspired choreography paired with stunning performances ensure this Jesus Christ Superstar is one which will live long in the memory. Breathtakingly brilliant from start to end.

Jesus Christ Superstar is on at The Lowry until Saturday 25th May, tickets available here.

Nominees revealed for Olivier Awards 2017

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The nominations have been announced for this years’ Olivier Awards and there’s a wealth of hot competition in the categories.

The prestigious event is being held on Sunday 9th April at London’s Royal Albert Hall and promises to be a star-studded occasion full of show-stopping performances from some of the best theatre productions around.

Leading the way with a phenomenal 11 nominations is brand new play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which was shown to audiences in 2 parts at the Palace Theatre. Groundhog Day – another new kid on the block – has also got a big nod from the theatre world, receiving 8 Olivier nominations.

Great news for one of the more ‘veteran’ musicals as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar picks up 6 nominations, making it officially the most Olivier Award nominated show in history.

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FUNNY GIRL, , MUSIC – JULE STYNE, Lyrics – Bob Merrill, Book – Harvey Fierstein, Director – Michael Mayer, Choreography – Lynne Page, Set Design – Michael Pavelka, Costumes – Matthew Wright, Lighting – Mark Henderson, The Savoy Theatre, London, 2016, Credit: Johan Persson/

Opening Night have their fingers crossed for Sheridan Smith, nominated in the Best Actress in a Musical category for her incredible portrayal of Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, most recently seen on tour at Manchester’s Palace Theatre (read our review here https://opening-night.org/2017/02/23/funny-girl/ ).

One person who can definitely bank on taking home a gong on the night is Sir Kenneth Branagh who will receive a special award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to British theatre.

The Olivier Awards 2017 with Mastercard will take place on Sunday 9 April at the Royal Albert Hall. Tickets to theatre’s biggest night are available from priceless.com

Full list of nominees below:

 

Best Actor

Ed Harris for Buried Child at Trafalgar Studios 1

Tom Hollander for Travesties at Apollo theatre

Ian McKellen for No Man’s Land at Wyndham’s theatre

Jamie Parker for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace theatre

 

Best Actress

Glenda Jackson for King Lear at the Old Vic

Cherry Jones for The Glass Menagerie at Duke of York’s theatre

Billie Piper for Yerma at Young Vic

Ruth Wilson for Hedda Gabler at National Theatre – Lyttelton

 

 

Best Director

Simon Stone for Yerma at Young Vic

John Tiffany for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace theatre

John Tiffany for The Glass Menagerie at Duke of York’s theatre

Matthew Warchus for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

 

Virgin Atlantic Best New Play

Elegy at Donmar Warehouse

The Flick at National Theatre – Dorfman

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace theatre

One Night in Miami … at Donmar Warehouse

 

Mastercard Best New Musical

Dreamgirls at Savoy theatre

The Girls at Phoenix theatre

Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

School of Rock the Musical at New London theatre

 

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Ian Bartholomew for Half a Sixpence at Noël Coward theatre

Adam J Bernard for Dreamgirls at Savoy theatre

Ben Hunter for The Girls at Phoenix theatre

Andrew Langtree for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

 

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Haydn Gwynne for The Threepenny Opera at National Theatre – Olivier

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for Murder Ballad at Arts theatre

Rebecca Trehearn for Show Boat at New London theatre

Emma Williams for Half a Sixpence at Noël Coward theatre

 

Outstanding Achievement in Music

Dreamgirls – music by Henry Krieger at Savoy theatre

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – composer and arranger: Imogen Heap at Palace theatre

Jesus Christ Superstar – the band and company creating the gig-like rock vibe of the original concept album of Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air theatre

School of Rock the Musical – three children’s bands who play instruments live every night at New London theatre

 

Best New Dance Production

Betroffenheit by Crystal Pite and Jonathon Young at Sadler’s Wells

Blak Whyte Gray by Boy Blue Entertainment at Barbican theatre

Giselle by Akram Khan and English National Ballet at Sadler’s Wells * Read our review here – https://opening-night.org/2016/09/28/english-national-ballet-giselle/

My Mother, My Dog and CLOWNS! by Michael Clark at Barbican theatre

 

Outstanding Achievement in Dance

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for their London season at Sadler’s Wells

Luke Ahmet for The Creation by Rambert at Sadler’s Wells

English National Ballet for expanding the variety of their repertoire with Giselle and She Said at Sadler’s Wells

 

Best Entertainment and Family

Cinderella at London Palladium

David Baddiel – My Family: Not the Sitcom at Vaudeville theatre

Peter Pan at National Theatre – Olivier

The Red Shoes at Sadler’s Wells

 

Best Theatre Choreographer

Matthew Bourne for The Red Shoes at Sadler’s Wells

Peter Darling and Ellen Kane for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

Steven Hoggett for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace theatre

Drew McOnie for Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air theatre

 

Magic Radio Best Musical Revival

Funny Girl at Savoy theatre

Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air theatre

Show Boat at New London theatre

Sunset Boulevard at London Coliseum

 

Best Actor in a Musical

David Fynn for School of Rock the Musical at New London theatre

Tyrone Huntley for Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air theatre

Andy Karl for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

Charlie Stemp for Half a Sixpence at Noël Coward theatre

 

Best Actress in a Musical

Glenn Close for Sunset Boulevard at London Coliseum

“The Girls” – Debbie Chazen, Sophie-Louise Dann, Michele Dotrice, Claire Machin, Claire Moore and Joanna Riding – for The Girls at Phoenix theatre

Amber Riley for Dreamgirls at Savoy theatre

Sheridan Smith for Funny Girl at Savoy theatre

 

Best Revival

The Glass Menagerie at Duke of York’s theatre

This House at Garrick theatre

Travesties at Apollo theatre

Yerma at Young Vic

 

Best New Comedy

The Comedy About a Bank Robbery at Criterion theatre

Nice Fish at Harold Pinter theatre

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour at National Theatre – Dorfman

The Truth at Wyndham’s theatre

 

Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre

Cuttin’ It at the Maria, Young Vic

The Government Inspector at Theatre Royal Stratford East

The Invisible Hand at Tricycle theatre

It Is Easy to Be Dead at Trafalgar Studios 2

Rotterdam at Trafalgar Studios 2

 

White Light award for Best Lighting Design

Neil Austin for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace theatre

Lee Curran for Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air theatre

Natasha Katz for The Glass Menagerie at Duke of York’s theatre

Hugh Vanstone for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

 

Best Sound Design

Paul Arditti for Amadeus at National Theatre – Olivier

Adam Cork for Travesties at Apollo theatre

Gareth Fry for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace theatre

Nick Lidster for Autograph for Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air theatre

 

Best Costume Design

Gregg Barnes for Dreamgirls at Savoy theatre

Hugh Durrant for Cinderella at London Palladium

Rob Howell for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

Katrina Lindsay for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace theatre

 

Blue-i Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design

Bob Crowley for Disney’s Aladdin at Prince Edward theatre

Bob Crowley for The Glass Menagerie at Duke of York’s theatre

Rob Howell for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

Christine Jones for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace theatre

 

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Anthony Boyle for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace theatre

Freddie Fox for Travesties at Apollo theatre

Brian J Smith for The Glass Menagerie at Duke of York’s theatre

Rafe Spall for Hedda Gabler at National Theatre – Lyttelton

 

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Melissa Allan, Caroline Deyga, Kirsty Findlay, Karen Fishwick, Kirsty MacLaren, Frances Mayli McCann, Joanne McGuinness and Dawn Sievewright for Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour at National Theatre – Dorfman

Noma Dumezweni for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace theatre

Clare Foster for Travesties at Apollo theatre

Kate O’Flynn for The Glass Menagerie at Duke of York’s theatre

 

Best New Opera Production

4.48 Psychosis at Lyric Hammersmith

Akhnaten at London Coliseum

Così Fan Tutte at Royal Opera House

Lulu at London Coliseum

 

Outstanding Achievement in Opera

Renée Fleming for her performance in Der Rosenkavalier at Royal Opera House

Stuart Skelton for his performance in Tristan and Isolde at London Coliseum

Mark Wigglesworth for his conducting of Don Giovanni and Lulu at London Coliseum