TIM MINCHIN TO PLAY ‘JUDAS ISCARIOT’, MELANIE C CONFIRMED AS ‘MARY MAGDALENE’ AND CHRIS MOYLES ANNOUNCED AS ‘KING HEROD’
THE PUBLIC TO CAST THE ROLE OF ‘JESUS’
TICKETS ON SALE NOW – CLICK HERE
DIGITALLY REMASTERED ALBUM RELEASED 16 JULY
The Really Useful Group and AEG Live today announce the first ever UK arena tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary rock classic Jesus Christ Superstar.
Award-winning musical comedian Tim Minchin – also the co-writer of West End smash musical Matilda – is confirmed for the role of ‘Judas Iscariot’. Three million album selling pop icon and former Spice Girl Melanie C will take the only female lead as ‘Mary Magdalene’, and BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast Show host Chris Moyles will make his major stage debut as ‘King Herod’, in what is set to be one of the biggest and most impressive arena tours to hit the UK.
The ITV primetime show ‘Superstar’ will give the UK public the chance to decide who will play the starring role of ‘Jesus’, with a panel of live show judges led by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Celebrating 40 years since it first opened in London’s West End, the Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour kicks off in London on 21 September before visiting Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool and Nottingham. The tour culminates in Sheffield on 21 October.
Tickets for the UK tour priced £45-65 go on sale at 9.00am on Friday 18 May.
Andrew Lloyd Webber said:
“Jesus Christ Superstar began life as an album followed by a sell-out arena tour of the US. Our very first show was at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where we played to over 13,000 people. Tim and I have always wanted to take Superstar back to its roots and we are both delighted that it will finally play an arena tour in the UK in venues where many of the world’s great rock acts have gone before. We’re thrilled to have such great talent in the cast for the new show – they are all true ambassadors of UK entertainment. The re-mastered album sounds fantastic and we hope that fans both old and new will enjoy it.”
Tim Minchin said:
“As a huge fan of Jesus Christ Superstar, I’ve always thought it needed 3 key things: a big cast and band; loads of volume; and me playing Judas. I’ve been in two small productions of the show, and understudied the big man both times. I am really bloody excited about this.”
Melanie C said:
“I have been lucky enough to perform at arenas across the globe and to star in London’s West End but taking on the role of Mary Magdalene in the incredible Jesus Christ Superstar has to be one my most exciting challenges to date.
I can’t wait to take the show to some of my favourite venues in the UK with such a talented and formidable cast including Tim and Chris.”
Chris Moyles said:
“To receive a phonecall from Andrew is very cool, but then when he asks you to be in his musical that’s pretty amazing and there is only one thing to respond with… And that is yes! Absolutely! My mum’s gonna be well excited!”
The original multi-million selling Jesus Christ Superstar double-album, released in 1970, became a No.1 hit record in the US charts and spawned the live show phenomenon. The album features Ian Gillan as ‘Jesus’, Murray Head as ‘Judas Iscariot’, Mike d’Abo as ‘Herod’ and Yvonne Elliman as ‘Mary Magdalene’, plus legendary rock music session musicians such as Neil Hubbard (Bryan Ferry, BB King, Elton John), Chris Spedding (Roxy Music, John Cale), Alan Spenner (Joe Cocker, Peter Frampton) and Bruce Rowland (Paul McCartney’s Wings, Fairport Convention). The album has been digitally re-mastered and will be released on 16 July through Polydor.
The Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour is a co-production between AEG Live, and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Really Useful Group. ‘Superstar’ is an ITV Studios Production for ITV1. Jesus Christ Superstar the album is released by Polydor, a division of Universal Music.
Jesus Christ Superstar Tour Dates:
Friday 21 September London O2 Arena
Tuesday 25 September Glasgow SECC
Friday 28 September Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Sunday 30 September Manchester Arena
Tuesday 2 October Cardiff Motorpoint
Thursday 4 October Birmingham NIA
Tuesday 9 October Belfast Odyssey (on sale 24th May at 9am)
Friday 12 October Dublin O2 (on sale 24th May at 9am)
Tuesday 16 October Liverpool Echo Arena
Friday 19 October Nottingham Capital FM Arena
Sunday 21 October Sheffield Motorpoint
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I am soooooo excited about this coming to Liverpool!! I will be sitting up to get my ticket on 18th x
i love Jesus,without him,i can’t walk this life alone.so,Jesus is my life.and my saviour forever more
Then something tells me this musical isn’t really for you – Jesus doesn’t come across too well, I’m afraid
Totally disagree…. Jesus is portrayed as the man he was…. People can judge for themeselves whether he is the son of god or not. It’s a great way of telling the story.
Today is my birthday.so,i’m just hope that Jesus always with me forever
I am getting tickets…i have waited since i was 13 to see this in musical
PLEEEEEAAASSEEE tell me that they’ll record this production!! If I could only afford it I would fly all the way from Australia to see this.
I saw cameras there tonight so hopefully you will, it’s fantastic
Wow! This is really exciting news. When I heard Tim Minchin was going to be in it, I automatically thought he’d be Jesus, but I’m sure he’ll make an excellent Judas! Can’t wait to get tickets for this!
Me too! We are coming to London the 22th from The Hague, Holland to see Tim Minchin as Judas!
I am going to buy my tickets for the london showing first thing on friday it doesnt even matter to me who jesus is!!
typical..london and the south being the most populated and we just get one gig in the city! common guys think about us please put on more dates or bring it down to the coast. cant wait to see it if i’m lucky.
I hope they release a recording with the Arena Tour cast. I’m a huge Tim Minchin and JCS fan but sadly I’m in Australia
This is the most fab news that I have heard since watching the DVD 10 yrs ago, can’t wait till Fri to get some tickets!
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FANTASTIC news. Melanie C has a superb range and was sensational in ‘Blood Brothers’. Tim is an exciting casting too.
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I have waited for years for another production of this show! I saw it twice in the theatre with the fantastic Glenn Carter and the team who are in the film of the stage production. Surely we can’t expect any one to live up to his depiction of Jesus but it’s gonna be an exciting time finding the right man! Exciting!!!!
Glen Carter is an amazing performer and a truly amazing Jesus. Was lucky enough to see him perform the part twice. He was so moving and awe inspiring. Wish he was in this production, but I do understand we must give someone else a chance. I also saw Steve Balsamo at the Lyceum but sadly although was a great production he didn’t do it for me. Long live this great work:]
. what ?? you have got to be joking! Steve Balsamo performing Jesus is regarded as one of the best if not THE best. Please check out youtube for his rendition of Gethsemene and buy the sountrack with him on…. its amazing! Bens performance doesnt have to be compared because it is excellent.
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Delighted this show is coming to the O2 in Dublin. I have loved JCS ever since I saw it first nearly forty years ago. I never get tired of it. Always unfailingly moving. Inspired casting to have Tim Minchin as Judas.
Have got tickets for Birmingham. Cannot wait to see this show especially with Tim Minchin, Mel C and Chris Moyles.
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Anyone know if they will do a theatre tour and if the celebs will be in it? Thanks
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love Jesus love love love
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This sounds amazing and I’d love to go but the nearest show is in Cardiff – how come the tour is not coming down to the South West? What about those of us in South Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall????
It takes us 4 hours to get to Cardiff and there’s no way we’d get there in time after work……VERY DISAPPOINTED.
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totally agree with Shell S – South Coast would be great. It seems to be Londn, the mids, northeast, scotland and wales.
There are a lot of people on the southcoast who would love to see this production.
Put it on in the West End for a few weeks!!!!
The more I think about it the more I can see Chris Moyles as Herod! Could be an inspired piece of casting. Can’t wait for it to get to Manchester!
Yes, please come down South!
Will JCS be running in 2013?
Why no dates in Edinburgh?
Can somebody tell me if it goes to 2013 through its success – I won’t be in UK to see it this year.
Scotland’s only venue is Glasgow on a Tuesday! So unfair for people who work! What about Aberdeen on a Friday or Saturday!
please can someone tell me the running time of the show at the 02?? just want to know before i book a train ! thanks
Hi, did you find out the running time?? Trying to book my taxi home and can’t find it anywhere!
Could the other finalists be the disciples ?
Can’t wait to see the show in Manchester.
Last time I saw it was in London with Steve Balsamo, who was fantastic.
When I heard the about Superstar because I love the musical and have really enjoyed the previous reality shows to find Joseph, Maria, Nancy etc. but what a disappointment. The audience don’t listen to the music and don’t respect the comments of the judges – booing constuctive criticism is ignorant and rude.
Oh well – I thought I will book to see the show – but the prices of tickets are huge and the chances of a decent view of the stage in an Arena are low – so you are paying a fortune for the atmosphere because to see the show you will need to look at a screen – what a waste of time!!!!
what a modern day genius Lord Webber is and how i have enjoyed the tv programe to find a Jesus the panel were entertaining constructive critism only and no gimics to gain viewers they are all superstars in my eyes
Really wanted to see show, in Nottingham………….but simply cannot aford such high prices, especially in this current financial climate. Cost has out-priced most people. Such a shame and not very well thought out
Why is the tour so short. My daughter goes to France for a university placement in September and will miss it. She doesn’t want me to go
What about the South West? We aLWAYS get left out. Surely we should get a look in. We watch TV too. Really want to see it.
Hope the JC Superstar arena tour will head for the US and Canada in 2013.
As a long time fan, I would love to see the show again in Montreal, Canada.
What an opportunity! To see such a star studded show in Belfast! Now I read that Jeff is keen to play the roll in Belfast. I like Jeff Anderson. I wish him well and I know he played Jesus in the Grand Opera House. However, I have been so looking forward to seeing Ben Forster perform after winning his way to the top. I don’t want to be disappointed just because this is Jeff’s hometown after spending £70 per seat!
In a trance still. Simply the most wonderful show I have ever seen. I am so happy I went. The whole cast,the venue everything just AMAZING. Thank U xxx
i agree i cudnt get to sleep when i got home i was on a massive high, and tunes in my head lol
Saw the show at o2 last night. AMAZING!!! Big fan of the film and of Jesus so this had a LOT to live up to. VERY WELL DONE. you will not be dissapointed. Want to see it again now!!!
how long is the show?? need to know what time it finishes but nowhere on internet says??
Saw the matinee performance on saturday. I too am a huge fan of the film and the stage show been to see it 4 times now! It was amazing – everyone was FAB – chris moyles excellent – tim minchen fab – melanie c – just amazing voice and presence and Ben and the rest of the cast – utterly superb! You all had such a lot to live up to and you did it..all you. Well done guys~!
Saw the show at the 02 arena last night. Had a fabulous seat in block A!! Absolutely fantastic cast, production, lighting, sound, camera work and of course band. I mention the camera work as there was a huge screen behind the cast (much better than screens all around the arena).
All principals and cast worked so hard and they should all be very proud, as I know Lord Andrew must be!! We were all on our feet at the end. What a fabulous experience, especially for Ben. Tim was outstanding. Don’t miss it folks.
Ethne
Saw the show on opening night, not great seats as not quick enough off the mark. That was no great loss , the atmosphere was amazing. Ben was great as Jesus , was amazed by Tim’s vocal range. Mel C was brilliant as Mary and Chris made me laugh as Herod. I had a smile on my face the whole way through and tears in my eyes at the end. It was well staged and a perfect adaptation into an arena show. There were 4 of us who went and we all loved it. A big well done.
Just got back from seeing the show at MEN arena in Manchester,just amazing, the best production of this show I have ever seen and I have seen it many times over the years (was even in an amateur production once) I must admit when I saw the price of the tickets there was a sharp intake of breath but it was worth every single penny. All the cast were brilliant but I think a special mention for Tim Minchion and Ben Foster, truly amazing and I want to see it again NOW!
The rendition of gethsemane is still going round in my head five days after the show, fantastic Ben,equally as good were Tim,Mel,Chris and the rest of the cast lets not forget the brilliant Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. I want to see it again
just saw show in birmingham, there are no words to say how amazing it is, im a massive fan of west end shows and see them regulary. but ohh my god this was better than anything i hav eva seen, atmosphere so intense you feel part of it, everyone really must go, its not to be missed
Saw this tonight in Manchester, Tim Minchen gave one of the most spectacular performances i’ve ever seen in my life, simply outstanding, i will never forget it. Mel C was great too and the rest of the cast high high energy, excellent musicians
Just home from Belfast showing. The production wAs unbelievable and totally related to the era we live in. The cast were or are phenomenal! Wish you lots of luck for remainder of tour!
We were at the show last night in the O2 Dublin- just fantastic. Chris Moyles was superb as was mMel C and all the cast. Truly excellent show.
Saw it in Dublin last night. Simply outstanding! One of the best nights of my life. will travel to UK if tour continue in 2013. Amazing!!!!!
touring yall be touring USA next year?
Saw it on Wednesday in Wembley Arena and it was AMAZING!!!!! Tim Minchin and Ben Forster were simply outstanding, and we had a guest appearance of Andrew Lloyd Webber which was incredible!
Any plans on releasing a sound track of the 2012 arena tour please?
Pretty Pleasexxxxx
Are they going to do a CD of the arena tour cast???hope they do!!