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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2016 22:47:08 GMT
Well. Once you get past the reality that you aren't in fact watching an advert for Zara filmed in a multi story car park, it's really rather good.
It's also a great reminder that the score contains some of ALW's loveliest melodies. And the first moment you hear the "Jesus Christ, Suuuuuperstar" melody is really rather thrilling.
Terrific cast all round, it's a very soulful cast and Declan Bennett's 'Gethsemane' is a real showstopper.
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Post by stanne on Jul 23, 2016 22:57:45 GMT
Saw the matinee today and absolutely loved it.
Go if you possibly can - you won't regret it!
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Post by raiseitup on Jul 23, 2016 23:17:11 GMT
I'm looking to book the cheap £25 seats for this one evening, any recommendations as to whether the extreme right or extreme left is best?
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Post by Peach on Jul 24, 2016 7:24:23 GMT
I'm looking to book the cheap £25 seats for this one evening, any recommendations as to whether the extreme right or extreme left is best? Extreme right as you look at the seat plan are better. |
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Post by stanne on Jul 24, 2016 15:34:12 GMT
If anyone is thinking of booking a matinee then I would suggest booking seats on the extreme left (as you are facing the stage) as this area is in the shade in the afternoons. Yesterday, people sitting on the right were practically burnt to a crisp by the end of the performance... unless, of course, we get a return to our normal English summer weather, in which case as you were.
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Post by theatreian on Jul 24, 2016 16:28:12 GMT
I was sat on extreme right for the evening which was a great seat. You miss a very small amount of action but not enough to spoil it. The cast were superb, a real ensemble piece. Go and see it if you can.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2016 11:22:25 GMT
Having JCS in a West End theater around Christmastime would smart of the producers to go. If not, it would be a wasted opportunity. Ross hasn't confirmed yet so that could change Given that it's about the last week of his life, not his birth, it'd be better around Eastertime... |
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Post by Being Alive on Jul 26, 2016 13:16:24 GMT
Didn't have any interest in this but from what people are saying I might get an extreme side seat and pop along.
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Post by stanne on Jul 26, 2016 13:23:40 GMT
Didn't have any interest in this but from what people are saying I might get an extreme side seat and pop along. Yes - definitely recommend. I don't think you'll regret it.
The whole cast is great - Declan and "Judas" (sorry, can't remember his name) outstanding, and I could happily listen to David Thaxton sing the phone book. 
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Post by CG on the loose on Jul 26, 2016 15:03:51 GMT
Didn't have any interest in this but from what people are saying I might get an extreme side seat and pop along. Yes - definitely recommend. I don't think you'll regret it.
The whole cast is great - Declan and "Judas" (sorry, can't remember his name) outstanding, and I could happily listen to David Thaxton sing the phone book.
BIB ... that'll be Tyrone Huntley. Good interview with him in last week's Stage - he studied law in his spare time while in Book of Mormon having toyed between that and acting when he finished school. He chose theatre then because "he thought he should do the more physically demanding course while he was able to cope with it, stamina-wise." Interesting character. |
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Post by theatreian on Jul 26, 2016 15:33:45 GMT
Also meant to say Mary Magdelene had the same tone of voice as Helen Reddy. She was outstanding along with Declan, Tyrone and David.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2016 15:40:59 GMT
Also meant to say Mary Magdelene had the same tone of voice as Helen Reddy. She was outstanding along with Declan, Tyrone and David. I thought she was just lovely. You can tell she's a jazz singer, she gave the old standards in JCS a really nice spin. Her phrasing was really interesting. |
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Post by max on Jul 26, 2016 18:31:42 GMT
Given that it's about the last week of his life, not his birth, it'd be better around Eastertime... Could chuck in a quick "Happy Birthday to You" before the opening number, if they want to do it earlier, though? Are you Bill Kenwright? |
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Post by d'James on Jul 26, 2016 23:55:40 GMT
I really don't know what I thought of it. Never seen it before, don't really know the story. I will try and sleep on my thoughts and piece them together tomorrow.
In other news, Samantha Womack (née Janus) was there tonight visiting her onscreen babyfather I guess.
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Post by d'James on Jul 27, 2016 1:13:09 GMT
Before I forget. I must say how absolutely shocked and disappointed that there were no security checks at all to get into the venue.
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Post by d'James on Jul 27, 2016 13:37:28 GMT
My third post in a row - sorry folks. Anyway, it was a full house last night and the show got a full standing ovation.
As I said I don't know the Bible very well and have never seen the show before, so there were several scenes where I didn't have a clue what was going on or who certain characters were.
I found the dancing a bit too overpowering/distracting at times.
The cast all have fantastic voices and acted the show well (although I think Declan should tone it down a bit acting wise at the end.)
I really liked the music (I like Andrew Lloyd Webber and heard hints of Joseph, Evita and Cats in there).
There was so much I liked, maybe it's just not the show for me.
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Post by distantcousin on Jul 27, 2016 15:04:38 GMT
As I said I don't know the Bible very well and have never seen the show before, so there were several scenes where I didn't have a clue what was going on or who certain characters were.
This is the biggest problem with the piece - I've said it time and time again.
It assumes a LOT of knowledge of story and characters. I suspect it was written in an era when everyone had compulsory religious instruction at school and it was a given that audiences just *knew* the motivations and context.
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Post by d'James on Jul 27, 2016 15:16:48 GMT
As I said I don't know the Bible very well and have never seen the show before, so there were several scenes where I didn't have a clue what was going on or who certain characters were.
This is the biggest problem with the piece - I've said it time and time again.
It assumes a LOT of knowledge of story and characters. I suspect it was written in an era when everyone had compulsory religious instruction at school and it was a given that audiences just *knew* the motivations and context.
Firstly, thanks for taking me seriously and not just calling me ignorant, which I half expected from someone. It's difficult when it's all sung because it's very easy to miss certain words and phrases. I'm sure you're right about when it was written, although having said that I did have RE/RS lessons until I was 14, but you only really remember the big points and not details and certainly not all the names and and all the events. This is definitely the musical I have most struggled with to understand what's going on and who's who in over 20 years of Theatre going. |
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Post by d'James on Jul 27, 2016 16:56:02 GMT
As I said. Everyone knows the big points, but that explanation doesn't explain all the scenes and characters from the Musical any more than the Musical itself does (well, the Open Air Theatre production anyway).
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Post by theatrefan77 on Jul 27, 2016 17:21:35 GMT
I suspect it was written in an era when everyone had compulsory religious instruction at school
Interesting point. I'd extend it with the thought it was also in a monocultural time for Western countries too.
For those who don't know, it's basically a Jewish carpenter and his missus. She unexpectedly gives birth in a stable - and he really didn't have anything to do with it. They call their son Jesus, and when he grew up, he did unbelievable stuff which made middle-eastern crowds adore him. Spot of mass catering with only what he could get from the local petrol station at closing? Save some folks with chronic skin trouble from a life on E45? Save his local council building a bridge? All this and more. Amazing bloke, basically.
One of his 12 best friends (he really shared the love, and was happy to count a young prostitute as a bestie - nice girl, awful job), got a bit narky with all the attention his mate was getting. "Jesus Christ Superstar" is the story, told from this mate - Judas's - viewpoint.
So, the Romans weren't sure of Jesus, and Judas, for a fee of 30 pieces of silver that he didn't really want (he'd have preferred a new Iphone, but they weren't out for another few thousand years) was willing to tell the Romans where they could find Jesus... and gives him a kiss to identify who he is for the soldiers (no selfies either, see Iphone comment).
Funny thing is, at dinner the night before, Jesus predicts that one friend will betray him, and another pretend he doesn't know him - Simon, denying him.
The Romans nick Jesus, and, as the great Douglas Adams put it, "they nailed him to a tree for suggesting that everyone should be nice to each other for a change." Not before holding a public vote on the matter - in person voting, no phones (see earlier point). Jexit proved the popular option.
That's the end of "Jesus Christ Superstar," but the rest is that the body lay in a cave for a bit, then the stone rolled back, Jesus went to heaven and the twist in the tale is that God turned out to be his dad.
And if that isn't "The Greatest Story Ever Told" then I don't know what is.
Oh, and as Richard Digance notes, we mark the last bit by giving each other chocolate eggs with Smarties inside. Which is fine by me.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Jul 27, 2016 17:26:53 GMT
Great sum up monkey! But Simon does not deny Jesus. Peter is the one who denies him three times, therefore his beautiful duet with Mary -'Could we start again please?'- expressing his regret.
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Post by max on Jul 27, 2016 17:38:51 GMT
Does this production include 'Then we are decided', written for the film? I've seen it included in a tour production. It comes very early in the piece and helps set up what the priests' fears and motivations are. May be useful for those without the Bible knowledge. [If it's already in then I'm wrong, and it doesn't do the job lol].
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Post by lou105 on Jul 27, 2016 17:44:46 GMT
Great sum up monkey! But Simon does not deny Jesus. Peter is the one who denies him three times, therefore his beautiful duet with Mary -'Could we start again please?'- expressing his regret. Ah, just to add confusion, Simon and Peter are the same person! His name is changed after he meets Jesus but I can't remember if that's explained in this show or not..It's an interesting topic, isn't it..Rather like the "Should I see the Cursed Child if I haven't read Harry Potter?" posts. |
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Post by theatrefan77 on Jul 27, 2016 17:57:02 GMT
Oops! Sorry. I thought the monkey was referring to Simon Zealotes. Am I making it all more confusing??
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2016 18:09:23 GMT
Wasn't it written as an album? So, intended to be played many times, and not to have to make immediate sense in one sitting.
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