Jesus Christ Superstar | Meet the 2023 UK tour cast

During rehearsals for the new Jesus Christ Superstar tour, we sat down to chat with three of the production's stars: Ian McIntosh (who plays Jesus), Shem Omari James (Judas Iscariot), and Hannah Richardson (Mary Magdalene).
Get to know the musical trio, who talk about their respective auditions and where they rank JCS in the Andrew Lloyd Webber canon, in the video.
The company also includes Julian Clary, who will play Herod during the initial 2023 dates: Manchester (11 to 23 September), Newcastle (26 to 30 September), Aberdeen (10 to 14 October), Glasgow (16 to 21 October) and Liverpool (23 to 28 October).
Joining them are Ryan O’Donnell as Pilate, Jad Habchi as Caiaphas, and Matt Bateman as Annas, alongside Jasmine Jules Andrews, Pàje Campbell, Louise Francis, Francis Foreman, Megan Bryony G, Joshua Hawkins, Darius J James, Cassandra Lee, Stephen Lewis-Johnston, Charlie McCullagh, Jago Mottart, Mia Musakambeva, Timothy Roberts, Luke Street, Timo Tatzber, Jordan Michael Todd, Carla Bertran, Daniel Bowskill, Myla Carman, and Christopher Tendai.
Jesus Christ Superstar reflects on the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, as told through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Timothy Sheader's production premiered at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in 2016. It then returned to the Barbican in 2019, followed by a socially-distanced run at Regent's Park in 2020.
Featuring lyrics and music by Tim Rice and Lloyd Webber, this production features choreography by Drew McOnie, design by Tom Scutt, lighting design by Lee Curran, sound design by Nick Lidster and music supervision by Tom Deering.
Additional tour stops include Milton Keynes, Plymouth, Wolverhampton, Bradford, Nottingham, Ipswich, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leicester, Stoke, Bromley, Inverness, Bristol, Crawley, Southampton, Norwich, Eastbourne, Birmingham, Truro, Oxford, Wimbledon, Woking, Sunderland, Canterbury, Sheffield, Llandudno, Southend, Torquay, Dartford, Cheltenham, and Blackpool, with further venues still to be announced.

[@tammysimpson1]

Saw it at Hull New Theatre with my Mum and family friend today. Fantastic

[@davidarmstrong1624]

Alhambra Theatre, Bradford. Ian McIntosh nearly took the roof off; it was beyond belief. Hannah Richardson performed the sweetest, sincerest Magadalene since Yvonne Elliman and nailed 'Everything's Alright', 'I Don't Know How To Love Him' and 'Could We Start Again Please?'. Shem Omari James totally communicated the complexity of Judas' position, inner agonising, pain and his love of Jesus in what has to be the most challenging role in the production. Amazing experience.

[@johedges5946]

It was phenomenal!! I imagined no one could ever match Ted Neeley, but Ian was magnificent!! I cried buckets - it was deeply moving. Thankyou for a wonderful evening - you blew me away! X

[@KateFromingsAuthor]

I'm just back from seeing the matinee at Kings Theatre Glasgow, I have been obsessed with the 1973 film since I was a child (I'm now 40). I agree that this cast have amazing talent and the director has definitely picked people who match the original vibe of the voices. All characters were excellent, and for anyone seeing this with fresh eyes they will probably be as attached to the new actors as I was to the old ❤

[@gemmarust210]

Yes agreed! I had always not bothered as thought Ted Neely and Carl Anderson couldn't be matched. They absolutely were. The whole cast was amazing.

[@rowenachristodoulou5788]

Just seen in Eastbourne and it was absolutely WOW - the singing, the acting and the band playing was amazing- wish there was a DVD or download of this version as I think it’s the best I’ve seen ❤

[@thetruth.75]

I wish i could see him singing gethseme again

[@janbam9372]

Seen this production twice. For me, the outstanding performance was ryan odonnell as pilate. Beautifully done, with such sensitivity. I would go again just to watch him…

[@myfaveshoes]

Saw in Newcastle yesterday and everyone was phenomenal. Serious well done to you all, just magnificent.

[@katesoper6289]

We saw it in Cardiff last week. Daughter had no clue what to expect. I thought the young man playing JC was good, ditto Mary. Daughter was a bit confused as to who was whom, since clothing gave little idea. The weird take on jazz hands was a bit overdone and we did have a problem with Judas. Good voice, but enunciation was a problem. Couldn't really make out what he was singing most of the time. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this take on the story, although it isn't a production one leaves on a high; too much of man's inhumanity to man. Did like the way they showed just how messed up JC was by the time he got to the cross. So, TLDR, overall good. Highlights were JC, Mary and 'brutality' makeup. Down sides were the jazz hands, the lack of individuality in the costumes (eg how does one identify Peter?) and Judas' enunciation.

[@christinebrett4825]

Watched you all and you were ansolutely amazing. My Mum came with me. Ian Macintosh in the Garden of Gethsemane reduced to me lots of tears😢. Just beautiful. You were all bloody brilliant 😊

[@dorydoesdrawing4804]

So excited to see this on Wednesday this week and next!! Got free tickets and I could not be more excited to see it twice!!

[@phoebesharp7808]

Watched in Plymouth, November 8th 2023, and was absolutely blown away by the talent in this show. Everyone involved in getting this back on stage, and so perfectly put together, thank you for one of the best nights of my life! Voices, choreography, musicians, casting, wardrobe, makeup, lights, stage direction, props…every impression I got was electrifying! I’ve never seen so much heart and soul put into a performance. This totally deserved the standing ovation 💯 🤩🤩🤩

[@janebarrow978]

Saw original production with Paul Nicholas when I was 11 years old and was blown away -my first ever West End show - have seen a few JCS over the intervening 50 odd years - but nothing blew my mind in the same way UNTIL last night in Eastbourne! What a phenomenal re-interpretation, sheer genius of a production in every single way, such clever use of sets and microphones (the way the 'preists' used them was so clever and having this group look like a heavy metal band had me grinning from ear to ear - maybe innappropriate but it all made me so happy!). A big thank you to everyone involved for such a superb night - it takes quite a lot to get a creaky Eastbourne audience to their feet!

[@Teenibash1969]

Saw it today at the Kings Theatre in Glasgow. OMG blew me away, stunningly fantastic 😮

[@EllyJones-k3l]

Saw it last night in Liverpool. It was incredible ❤❤❤❤❤

[@CraigTalksAbout]

I saw it Friday and was my 1st time seeing this and it was outstanding.

[@p.b.-letspickacardandsee8576]

Agreed 💯👍🏾😊👏🏾😎👼🏾

[@teenytobs12]

Seen it this afternoon in Glasgow - outstanding.

[@PaulBov7]

Seen them in Glasgow last week. Sensational.

[@valquinn3788]

Going Saturday (in Liverpool) can’t wait!

[@yvonnehampson1710]

Watched this in Liverpool on the 28th October. Absolutely fantastic show ❤

[@simondevnani7432]

Aberdeen- Fantastic performance, everyone so talented!

[@Phil-r6k]

I saw this production here in New Orleans last year and met the guys who played Jesus and Annas, both very nice guys. Jesus inquired about a Jethro Tull pin that I was wearing.

[@RachelCooper-Lilly-wy1cl]

Saw this today at Birmingham Hippodrome Absolutely spectacular, fantastic singers and acting. Had me in tears at the end.

[@lesleynicholls5677]

Saw it in Liverpool tonight and it was superb!!!! Beautiful singing and fantastic visually.

[@stephenmoses2854]

Just seen the show at The Curve in Leicester. Simply stunning in every way: sung performances, musicianship, choreography, staging...all of it was electrifying and made for an intense and utterly enthralling night. Thank you!

[@alanj.preston-tenor9574]

Saw it in Cardiff, such a fabulous production, so much energy and fantastic vocals and band!

[@carmenkaren5980]

I first listened to the album, then saw the movie with Ted Neeley, finally the 2012 rock-arena fabulous version. Yours is next in line - in 2024! I can hardly wait.

[@patriciaradford1264]

Having seen this version on stage, it was awsome The whole cast were amazing

[@ladybird74786]

Saw this today in Milton Keynes…superb 👌👌👌

[@sherimillman53]

Nice coming to see you tonight complements to my Boss

[@NINI-xi3xz]

Donde puedo verlo??

[@ssmelliot]

whole cast was amazing!

[@NormaB-gu1wz]

A m a z I n g

[@LibbyzLibby]

Are any of the cast coming from a Christian point of view?

[@CraigTalksAbout]

I don't believe any of this show comes from a real Christian point of view. It comes across more from a none Christian pov in my own point of view.

[@egorsilovs156]

@@CraigTalksAbout I think Tim Rice, the writer, is an atheist but it is art after all, so can be interpreted in many ways.

[@SparkleLeeShow]

This is the worst production of jesus christ superstar I've ever seen. It's cringeworthy and the coreography is embarrassing.. Read the reviews..such a let down.

[@BennieDuck]

+1

[@salb2086]

I'm confuse, is this all thanks to DEI or DIO? 😂 I'll stick to the original, way more compromise and commitment from a mile, those actors had to sweat and work like hell to get a role. Today ones, thanks to DEI, my guess is they have "quotas" and biased standards, right? Probably is just this silly me seeing ghosts or something 😂 Still the original has way more impact. Good luck.

[@cascharles3838]

What are you talking about?? Judas was played by a black man in the original cast and the 70s film, and people of colour have been in the show in all different roles since the beginning. Either you're just looking for an excuse to complain, or you don't know the show at all. Most likely both

[@salb2086]

​@@cascharles3838 😂 If it is so, the why the need of DEI quotas, victimhood and fake glass ceilings 😂😂😂 Or is it another thing going on altogether ??? 😂 I don't know but I can tell this new "iteration" is lame and pales in comparison to the 70s. Then we had harmony, coherence, sinergy, real teamwork and purpose. Now we get quotas, forced inclussion, victimhood, shame and entitlement, everywhere in entertainment 😂😂😂 What a joke. Good luck.

[@cascharles3838]

@@salb2086 why did you ignore the premise of my comment? Are you going to address the fact that people of colour have been very much involved with JCS since its inception? Or are you going to continue to ignore that, cover your eyes with your tin foil hat and continue spouting your ridiculous conspiracy theories?

[@HouseTargaryen24601]

Stick to superhero movies. You're just embarrassing yourself.

[@salb2086]

@@HouseTargaryen24601 I wish, they are even worse now, thanks DEI Good luck.