Review: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at The Hawth, Crawley


Date: 18th March 2024

Seat: R17 (Stalls)

Tickets: Gifted

Rating: 5 Stars

Jesus Christ Superstar has been around for such a long time (okay, since 1971, or 1973 if you’re thinking of the original movie) that it’s just one of those shows that’s there, burned into the subconscious so that even if you don’t find yourself humming the tunes on a daily basis, once you’re reminded of them, you remember just how incredible they are – and you can probably sing most of them all the way through. 

Just me? Perhaps. Although I think that with this new, absolutely stunning and brilliantly energetic version, a whole new crowd of fans are going to be created. This is not your traditional Jesus Christ Superstar, but that’s not a bad thing – it’s a modern retelling of the oldest story and those songs still rock. 

Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, Jesus Christ Superstar tells the story of the last week of Jesus’s life, a story that everyone (probably) knows to some extent, and all the major plot points are included, such as Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss (and receiving his 30 pieces of silver for doing so), Pilate washing his hands of the whole thing and letting the crowd decide Christ’s fate, the Last Supper, miracles, and more. Yet it also shows Jesus as not ‘just’ the son of God, but as a man, a heavily conflicted and terrified man who isn’t even really sure that he’s who he says he is or if he still believes in his own cause. It’s powerful stuff, and even if you’re not the least bit religious, the story still hits home in a lot of ways. 




This production of Jesus Christ Superstar is dark. Very dark. It’s dark in its tone (although there are some light-hearted moments, particularly Herod’s Song, performed with stratospheric levels of camp by a superb Timo Tatzber), and it’s dark in its lighting and set, and that lends a wonderfully brooding air to it all, as well as allowing that lighting (by Lee Curran) to work its magic. Shadows are everywhere, things (and people) are hidden, and there’s an unnerving sense of foreboding throughout the whole thing – particularly effective was the way Caiaphas (Jad Habchi) and Annas (Matt Bateman) were lit as they plotted and schemed Jesus’s death. 

The performances were uniformly perfect, and it’s hard to find a standout moment to discuss, but I have to mention Luke Street’s (Jesus) performance of the epic Gethsemane. This is a song and a half, to say the least, and it isn’t just a question of singing it; it needs to be felt, it needs to be performed. It needs to be real. And Luke Street put his heart and soul into it, leaving me breathless, teary, and covered in goosebumps. A friend texted me to ask how I’d enjoyed the show and in particular how that song had been performed. My reply? “I am still not over it.” I’m not sure I ever want to be. 

Playing opposite Luke Street was Shem Omari James as Judas. This is a character you might automatically assume is the villain of the piece, but Jesus Christ Superstar isn’t so black and white, and in that grey area in between is where James shines. His portrayal of the conflicted, guilt-ridden Judas was impeccable, and his incredible vocals were emotional and beautiful. 

There are plenty of fantastic ensemble numbers in this show, including “What’s the Buzz?” “Superstar”, and “Hosanna” (a particular favourite of mine), and this is where the production really shone. The dancing, thanks to choreography by Drew McOnie) was fast and modern and fascinating to watch. Eloise Davies as the Mob Leader definitely drew the eye, and watching her move around the stage was a joy – if joy is the right word to use in the context of a musical about a man being put to death by a baying crowd. 




There are some brilliant touches in this production of Jesus Christ Superstar, including the use of microphones, and a wonderful recreation of Da Vinci’s famous “The Last Supper” painting, which made me gasp. But perhaps my favourite idea was the way Judas was marked by his betrayal – his silver was painted all over his hands, leaving no doubt that it was he who had done the deed. Contrasted with the gold glitter used to represent Jesus’s spilled blood, it was a remarkable effect. 

This is a powerful, bold new Jesus Christ Superstar for the 21st century. 


Jesus Christ Superstar plays at The Hawth, Crawley until 23rd March before continuing its tour - tickets are available here: https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/the-hawth/whats-on/jesus-christ-superstar

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