Jesus Christ Superstar: Live Arena Tour

Before I get to this very title, let me tell you where I am coming from on this: When I first saw the Motion Picture "Jesus Christ Superstar" in the 70s, I was hooked right away. I've never been a great fan of musicals, but this one had such a great score, I loved it and got the soundtrack on vinyl as soon as it was out. Since then I have not only seen the original Broadway show (on tape) but also multiple later live performances until well into the 90s and even in different countries. Each of those had its own style, its own cast, its own "feel", but all of them were great.

This one though, the "Live Arena Show", I simply don't like, and believe me I've tried!

First of all, it's wayyy to overmodernised to me, cellphones, tablets and all. This may just be my personal taste, but hey, it's my review as well. Second, the costumes, makeup and hairstyles of "the followers" are downright ridiculous. While the style of Herod and Pilates are pretty good in a tongue-in-cheek way, those of the followers are just pathetic.

But the worst thing is, that Tim Minchin as Judas as well as Ben Forster as Jesus are just weak in any way. "The Temple" usually gives me goosebumps of delight, be it performed by Ted Neeley or Ian Gillan or some of the other Jesuses I've heard so far. In Forster's Case its all just "Meh".

Also, Melanie C has a great and unique voice, I am just nor sure if its the right one for the role. Maybe I am just used to the smoothness of Yvonne Elliman, but it also did not feel right to me.

In conclusion I did not enjoy it very much. If you are like me and love the Motion Picture or the Broadway Show, it might not be for you as well. On the other hand, if you are a younger person and this is the first time you ever see Jesus Christ Superstar at all, chances are that you will like it. If so, PLEASE listen to the original Soundtrack afterwards and I almost can guarantee you that you will be blown away!

I never went to see this show at the theatre, didn't get the opportunity, but knew the music and saw snatches on TV over the years.

I watched the Arena Tour on TV - what a truly wonderful experience. I couldn't take my eyes off. It was now a proper rock musical - I haven't been so enthralled or impressed since I went to see Hair in 1969, but this surpassed that by miles. Well done, a wonderful show with excellent performances; Tim Minchin was just superb, as was Mel C, and Ben Forster was so powerful at times it hurt. The ensemble cast were wonderful too.

Changing the time worked very well, there are parallels with today which you cannot ignore and which made it even more dramatic. The set design was superb, the costume quite stunning.

Yes, I enjoyed it! I just wanted to be there soaking it all up!

If only I could go see this now with this cast, Tim minchin is the star of the show! I could watch it over and over, fantastic!!

JCS transposed into the present with Jesus and the disciples as anti-capitalists, the pharisees are corporatists/bankers, Pilate is a judge and Herod is some sort of game show host or entertainer.

The lyrics simply don't make any sense when sung in these circumstances. The Temple is now a nightclub called "The Temple", so when Jesus sings "my temple should be a house of prayer", it just makes you think he must have been the previous owner. Herod, Pilate and the Pharisees are all part of the same culture as opposed to Romans and Jews so again it simply just doesn't work.

Musically the band is very good, better than the movie and almost as good as the original concept album. The singing is generally very good with Tim Minchin being easily the weakest link, he sings through his nose. Jesus is very good and Mel C sings well, although she is just doing a direct copy of how Yvonne Elliman did it, not that that's a bad thing.

Last Christmas I saw the Court Theatre production here in Christchurch. Much lower budget, much smaller cast, much superior.

Tim Mitchin and Mel C were great in the show, both have impressive voice and excellent play. Only one thing made this marvellous piece of art a little bit "sour": playing of Ben Forster. He acted like a hysterical child, though his voice was fair good, except some overtone.