Jesus Christ Superstar

I will have to admit that it has been many years since I was at Wembley Arena.  I think it was a Neil Diamond concert (please don’t hold it against me).  Since then a new foyer has been added, with the way into the main building moving from one end to the other.  Next door its rather large bigger brother, Wembley Stadium has been knocked down and rebuilt into a modern effigy of steel and lights.  But the Arena itself, a cauldron of music and events has remained pretty much unchanged since it was first opened.

We are here tonight for one reason, Jesus Christ Superstar: The Arena Tour.  A musical in an arena, you may laugh at the concept but the reality is that was how it was originally envisioned.  A rock opera about the last few weeks in the life of Jesus Christ.  Originally a concept album, by the then pretty much unknown pairing of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.  It originally shocked, the more conservative parts of the theatre going public when it was first released and yet, after a few hiccups it made its debut in the early 1970s.

This current incarnation, as a result of a talent search on British Television is promising something slightly different.  A more modern take on the story, in terms of the presentation.  The score remains the same as it was in the original concept album.  But the choreography, set against the backdrop of the London riots in 2011, bring a more modern feel to the show.  A modern retelling of a 200 year old story.  Those amoungst the audience expecting the classical retelling could be very disappointed.

An hour to go before curtain up (not that there is a curtain in front of the stage, and the arena is slowly filling up.  Special effects smoke is hanging in the arena rafters from the earlier dress rehearsal.  As the arena fills the audience is definitely very multicultural and a mix of young and old.  Television talent shows will do that, as will the cast mix.

Tim Minchin, the ultra talented Australian.  An established performer and musical writer in his own right plays Judas Iscariot.  It is a role that he has wanted to play since seeing the show years ago.  And you can understand why, the whole story is told from his perspective.  In musical terms he is the narrator of our tale.

Melanie C, she of Spice Girls fame has one of the most powerful ballads of the entire show, with “I don’t know how to love him”. She plays Mary Magdalene.  And she has the voice for it.  A vulnerability to her performance also helps to bring the role to life.  A voice that is both haunting and powerful.

Jesus, the title role of the show is played by newcomer Ben Forster.  What a way to start your career in a major musical role on tour.  And while he doesn’t appear to have the stage presence of his more established co-stars, he certainly holds his own and as long as he finds the next role after this tour he has the right step up into the showbiz world.

But the role I would want to play in this musical has but one song.  The self titled Herod’s Song, is the equivalent of a Shakespearean comic turn.  In  this musical the role is always played in a camp manner.  Tonight, by former Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles, the role is played in the style of Jeremy Kyle (Jerry Springer for our American cousins).

The show itself is incredible.  Ok, slightly biased because it is one of my favourites.  But it starts with a bang and doesn’t stop until the end.  We all know the story, so we know the ending before the show starts (kind of like Titanic) but the songs and music styles flow throughout the show.  It is the hallmark of any Lloyd Webber musical that the styles change to reflect the point in the story. Tim Rice’s lyrics, still fresh and clever today tell the story and the characters involved with a skill and craftsmanship lacking sometimes in this modern age.

The venue itself is functional.  The stage is at the end of the main hall, Sitting in front of the stage you will have to look up, while those sitting along the side of the arena you have to turn your neck to watch the show.  As for the food...meh sums it up perfectly.  Overpriced, and under=tasted.

TO sum it up it is the story of a guy, who loves and respects another guy, but betrays him because it is the right thing to do.  He kills himself and then comes back to life with the best song of the musical...Superstar.

Oh..my..wow.  That was pretty much the reaction from everyone around me in the arena.  From the photo montage at the beginning to the touching death scenes of Judas and Jesus.  There wasn’t a weak part in the show.  Only one encore, but to be honest that was all you really needed.  It was a genuine reprise of Superstar.

And that for me sums it up.  Sat on the last train home and gathering my thoughts.  Did I go and watch a musical, or a rock concert?  In places it is very difficult to tell the difference.  What I did see was an event.  It shocked, it was heartwarming.  You felt for the characters on stage.  But more than that, on two levels the show really worked for me.

Firstly as a piece of musical theatre, although written in 1970, the music and score are as fresh today as they were when they were first recorded.  And that is testament (no pun intended) to the writing of the original score.

But the second and most important was the relevance of the story in today's light.  The modern retelling highlighted how relevant the story is today.  How the disaffected of today are rising up against the establishment.  Thankfully on stage tonight, no lives were lost, no blood was shed.

Long Live Superstar.

~Graham Armstrong~