Rocky Horror JCS Style?

Jesus Christ Superstar is like an old friend, you start as an acquaintance - maybe you don't initially like each other that much - but, over time, you grow to know one another and the love affair begins.

When I first saw the film I hated it and, last night, my guest made an interesting comment as I sat through the stage version yet again: "A timeless subject and wonderful, certainly when it gathers pace in the second half, but the guitar riffs sounded very 70's and, for a minute, it felt like a serious version of the Rocky Horror Show!"

Perceptions vary but, for me, I am like a child waiting for Christmas in the run up to the first Act closer, Gethsemane in which Glenn Carter, in the role of Jesus Christ, tears every soul from every chest in the house. You feel Jesus' pending pain.

When it first came to the stage JCS was controversial in the extreme, and I can remember the playground rhymes even now, 'Jesus Christ Superstar, wears frilly knickers and a see through bra'. This Andrew Lloyd Webber / Tim Rice creation hit the headlines and entered British culture at its very heart.

Now, with the furore well and truly died down, you can watch Jesus Christ Superstar without fear of a Mrs Whitehouse equivalent waving her banner.

You can also bathe in this show's musical and lyrical richness, as it serves to remind you of your school RE lessons, whilst dishing up a new experience with every viewing.

The two lead roles, Judas (Tim Rogers) and Carter as Christ - both men played the same parts when the show visited Leeds Grand Theatre at the beginning of June - are excellent and vocally require the stamina of athletes.

Tom Gilling as Herod provides the production with a strong comedy interlude - I have seen this part done in top hat and tails and an array of other garb - and his lovely timing serves to take maximum laughs out of this clever, but almost out of place song.



Neil Moors as high priest, Caiaphas was deep enough of voice to be working in the National Coal Mining Museum, and the ubiquitous Rachel Adedeji was rarely off stage as Mary Magdalen sometimes, it felt, almost over articulating every lyric, a fine balance when body microphones are being used; very different to operatic style where diction is everything.

The auditorium was a little thin, but for no other reason than JCS has done the rounds many times, and people do not have bottomless pockets with a new musical in Leeds and Bradford virtually every week!

My love affair with Jesus Christ Superstar continues to grow. May long and lasting love always prevail, for I fear eternal divorce from this wonderful show.

Until Saturday (28th November 2015)
Jesus Christ Superstar
Bradford Alhambra