Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by Laurence Connor, promises to be the rock event of the year as Tim Minchin (Judas Iscariot) and Ben Forster (Jesus) began rehearsals at a secret location in London this week. The first image of the highly contemporary production has today been revealed – complete with riot police who feature heavily in the opening sequence of the new rock musical production.
Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “Even the hardened rockers in our cast were taken aback by how cutting edge Laurence’s vision for the show is. This is the first ever arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar in the UK and he is creating something quite extraordinary. Like the Olympics we’re not giving anything away but I promise that you won’t have seen a production of any of my shows quite like this!”
Demand has been so great for the arena tour that six new dates have been added since tickets went on sale. Jesus Christ Superstar will now play 21 dates in 12 different locations across the UK and Ireland – including a fifth London date at Wembley Arena on 17 October.
The tour opens at London’s O2 on 21 September and culminates at Sheffield’s Motorpoint on 21 October.
Advance ticket sales have already topped £6 million and a record-breaking 74,000 people will see the show in its opening week alone.
An award-winning creative team have been assembled to transform this legendary rock musical into a unique state-of-the-art spectacular. Director Laurence Connor, known for his work on the 25th anniversary performances and concerts for Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, will work alongside Mark Fisher, the acclaimed world-leading set designer responsible for the staging for the Diamond Jubilee music concert in front of Buckingham Palace. They will be joined by internationally acclaimed lighting designer Patrick Woodroffe, who worked on the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Both Mark and Patrick have worked on global arena and stadium tours for some of the world’s biggest music acts including the Rolling Stones and U2.
31 thoughts on “First image of Arena Tour revealed”
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Tim, please bring the production across the pond to Chicago!!!
Is the show going to the west end after the arena tour?
Why do you have to modernise everything now days i was really looking forward to this thanks ALW
Don’t you think the Police get enough bad press as it is now there’s a picture of them going to club christ very clever.
Yes so disappointed that the show is obviously set in the present will take a great deal away from it I’m sure audiences will be disappointed as surely cannot be so good visually.
I am so looking forward to this. Love the idea of the contemporary look.
it is great hope u enjoy it
When I first saw this I was shocked!! I hyave lived in my head with the 1970′s version. However, Jesus IS living in today’s society so this makes sense….. remember ‘The Man’ produced and set in Scotland quite a few years ago. Lokking forward to October in Liverpool!
Hold up, didn’t the Romans have machine guns in the ’70s version?
Correct, but all the set dressing was pretty much desert ruins.
Amazing can’t wait to see it
Great image for Such an amazing show !
This looks amazing and it certainly will be something totally different, having it set in modern times. Role on September.
All I can say is wow.
I just hope they record this show and put it out on blu ray for us to enjoy .. with such a short run, its hard to schedule a performance, especially when you live in Dubai
Yeah I’m also hoping for a DVD/Bluray release. I can’t really make any of the performances so hopefully it’ll get released.
Pleeeeeeeeease add another Newcastle date. I’m at a wedding on the 28th, I know where I’d rather be like!
Cant wait………..so excited!¬!!!!!
I wish they’d have advertised this before we spent £300 on tickets or i wouldn’t have wasted my money.
It’s like setting phantom of the opera in a 10 screen cinema in Manchester.
I think our tickets will be going on ebay as the more I see of this the more i feel I’ll be sorely disappointed.
The only thing that makes me want to go is Tim Minchin as his performance on Jonathan Ross was amazing.
I am still looking forward to this very much to see the wonderful Tim Minchin and Mel C but must admit, I am very disappointed that the show is taking on such a modern twist. The lyrics have so many references to ancient Rome and how are they going to execute Jesus?? I just don’t see how they can completely modernise the whole show. I think maybe alot of the lyrics will be altered in view of the setting of this production. I so hoper that’s not the case. I also hope that there will be a blue ray realease and certainly a cd of the show. It would be a crying shame not to with such a wonderful cast. They were amazing on Jonathon Ross on Saturday.x
Oh dear! People complaining already. Let’s see it first then pass comment. I’m very much looking forward to it.
Well said Paul, I wonder how many of the critics here remember or are aware that the original was essentially set in the modern day.
I didn’t know they were planning to modernise it when I spent £120 on tickets. This story is set in biblical times. Best leave it there
I find I kind of agree about the idea of the whole thing in modern dress – though the touches of modernity in the film version worked. Its a shame so few will get to see it in arena form with the cast line up. My local one in Cardiff was sold out before I heard about it.
Hoping maybe that there will be a video or even live performance via cinema screens as they did with the les miserables concert.
I agree that ” touches ” of modernity in the movie worked. Romans with machine guns, Herod wearing sunglasses etc. But if they have put it totally into a modern day context, one must assume that some lyrics will need to be changed , quite drastically too.
eg. in Superstar….” Why’d you choose such a backward time in such a strange land ?. If you’d come today you could have reached a whole nation . Israel 4bc had no mass communication “
Does anyone know how long the show lasts?
Went to see the show today and apart from a couple of teething problems, was blown away by the staging and the singing. The setting was brilliant worked so well. Well done to all involved. If you sell off your tickets you are missing out big time!
I saw the show at the 02 today and, boy oh boy are you in for a treat! The modern contemporary setting works better than you could ever imagine.
Give it a chance – I’ve just seen the show, and it’s incredible. I was sceptical, but it works brilliantly, giving it a new context and drawing parallels with modern political issues.
And I’ll be buying the DVD when it comes out in November.
Saw the show at the 02 last night and it was amazing! I am a JSCC devotee but deliberately didn’t look at any photos released as I wanted it to be a surprise on the night – so glad I did as it was a complete surprise that it was set in 2012 but so cleverly done. Anyone thinking of selling tickets because of this, don’t as you will really miss out. All the actors were great and loved Tim Minchin as Judas. Please bring out a cd with this cast!!
Folks, DON’T criticize! This show is AMAZING. Saw it on Sunday at the MEN Arena, Manchester.
And for those grumbling about it being set in modern day, that’s how the show has always be set… just happens that modern day back in the 70s is different to todays modern day.