How’s this for an Easter weekend treat? The second musical to be broadcast free on The Shows Must Go On!, the new YouTube channel from theatrical titan Andrew Lloyd Webber, is the epic 2012 touring version of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ starring Ben Forster, Tim Minchin and Melanie C. Oh yes. With impeccable (if slightly fortuitous) timing, the rock opera is being streamed tomorrow – on Good Friday.
Not seen it before? Here’s a preview from Time Out New York’s lead theatre critic, Adam Feldman…
‘In this 1970 rock opera by Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, an anti-authoritarian Middle Eastern agitator gets arrested after kissing a guy in a park. Conceived as an album, then moved to the Broadway stage in 1971, the show is a motley union of high and low: classical strains and groovy rock riffs, biblical fidelity and savvy spin, timeless tale and of-its-moment storytelling. Rice’s libretto takes straightforward versions of New Testament figures and transplants them into the potted soil of post-Warhol media celebrity.
‘This 2012 recording, which debuts on Good Friday, captures the touring arena concert production that grew out of the British TV competition show “Superstar”. Ben Forster plays Jesus, with support from Tim Minchin as Judas, Chris Moyles as Herod and Melanie C (née Sporty Spice) as Mary Magdalene.’
You should also check out our interview with Tim Minchin about why he was so desperate to play Judas that he personally wrote to Andrew Lloyd Webber, and our original review of the ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ arena show that’s being streamed this weekend.
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is available on YouTube from tomorrow, Friday April 10, at 7pm BST (2pm EDT, 4am AEST), and for 48 hours afterwards. You can also watch it below:
Here’s full information on streaming Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals online.
We’ve also ranked all of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals, from worst to best.
And here’s our full guide to the best theatre to watch at home, including musicals, opera, ballet and dance.