Express & Echo – May 06, 2011
Superstar cast impress

I REMEMBER seeing Jesus Christ Superstar in the 1970s and thinking that it was little more than a hippie love-in with Jesus at the helm. However, having seen the show again on Good Friday, I came away with very different feelings.

The Exeter Musical Society’s production of this show written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Time Rice, was one of great sadness. However, an inner joy prevailed. It was superbly directed, with a sense of reverence, by Martin J Kingston.
One of the things that impressed me most was the set. It had the appearance of a modern church with its triangular shaped window of stained glass, and steps, that led up to the high alter to where Christ was eventually to be sacrificed.

Both cast and orchestra were fantastic.
From the first pluck of a guitar string, we were hooked! There was a wonderful freshness about this production. The show opened with an angry Judas singing Heaven On Their Minds. Matt Roberts was excellent as the cynical Judas, betrayer of Christ. He also showed up the jealousy of this tortuous man, particularly in the group song, Strange Thing Mystifying. Chloe Whittaker sang the role of Mary Magdalene beautifully. John Burgoyne was a traditional Jesus who understood the nature of suffering. In stark contrast was Adrian Fox who played King Herod, malicious mocker of Jesus! And Paul Luffman as the Pharisee, Caiphas, was very much the evil villain, as were his team.

The Last Supper was inspired by Michaelangelo’s painting. And finally, at the very end of the show, we saw Christ and Judas facing other. A shadow fell over Judas while Jesus was bathed in light before disappearing into their separate worlds. This wonderful show got a standing ovation.
Maxine O’Reilly