Jesus Christ Superstar: a true testament to Derry’s talent
Jesus Christ Superstar is the first piece of local theatre I have the pleasure of reviewing, and to say they have made the task easy would be an understatement. From start to finish this stellar cast work as a unit to amaze, entertain and shock Derry audiences.
This show has been a favourite of mine since childhood, and it’s known for being incredibly challenging to stage, sing, and perfect. Yet, watching the talented troupe perform on stage, you’d think it was the most effortless feat in the world.
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Premiering on Broadway in 1971, this pseudo-religious masterpiece is now brought to Derry’s Millennium Forum by The Grove Theatre Group. The production is produced by Martin Mullan, directed by Roderick Canning, musically directed by Lana Campbell and choreographed by Stephen Carlin.
The story follows Jesus’ final week, from the high priests’ conspiracy to the crucifixion, offering insight into the thoughts of the doubtful Jesus, the conflicted Judas Iscariot, and the devoted Mary Magdalene.
The titular role of Jesus Christ is skillfully undertaken by local performer Kieran Connor, who performs with nuance and authority, giving the audience a sympathetic insight into the struggles of a man days before his inevitable death.
On either side of Connor I witnessed Laura Keogh as Mary Magdalene and William McFadden as Judas Iscariot. In my experience, chemistry between actors is just as important when portraying confrontation as it is portraying romance, and this triad of performers achieved perfect balance between romantic tension and conflict that had me on the edge of my seat.
Keogh’s interpretation of Magdalene was powerful, raw and heart-breaking, you really struggled with her every step of the way. Her vocals were refreshingly untraditional from every - day musical theatre singers and left myself and the whole auditorium with their jaws on the floor.
McFadden’s Judas Iscariot merits a review in its own right, if I only had the word count. From the moment his baby toe crossed that stage, there was not a note, step or hair that was out of place. His dramatic interpretation of the character was a kick in the gut and as I watched him brawl with his inner demons it took everything in me not to rush the stage and comfort the grieving man presented to us.
The remaining characters, disciples and ensemble work as a miraculous unit to match these performances and not a single soul onstage lets the energy drop even for a second, maintaining the amazement I felt since the curtain lifted, and so, when the performance came to its unfortunate end, myself and my surrounding audience members clamoured to our feat in a hard - earned standing ovation for this stellar cast.
And so the question remains - why should you go and see this production? Well, the only response I can muster is why shouldn’t you? Keogh’s I Don’t Know How To Love Him and McFadden’s Damned For All Time are worth triple the ticket price alone.