Sunday, 12 April 2020

YouTube treat - 'Jesus Christ Superstar'

Just watched on YouTube a truly impressive production of this, as part of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Stay-at-Home' campaign during theatre (and overall) lockdown, of showing musicals for free for just 48 hours. [As I write this only 8.5 hours left]. Unfortunately, stills of this production, filmed just a few days ago at our Birmingham's [I think] vast arena are not available to be posted elsewhere - though this production has toured other countries too, including U.S.A. 

My first encounter with this musical was [for me] the highly unsatisfactory 1973 film version, widely criticised on release for having such a charisma-lite Jesus, in the person of one Ted Neely whose flyweight presence was emphasised all the more by the bullet-like Carl Anderson as Judas. The leaden direction of Norman Jewison only made matters worse.
But after that, sometime in the late 70s I saw it live on stage and was immediately converted into seeing what a fine piece of theatre it really is - musically, lyrically and [but of course], story. I've seen it in the theatre in all, I think, six times, and they've all made me tear up [i.e. with tears as in 'eye']. I'd love to see it again.
So it was the same effect with this present spectacular production, updated to the present day but with a strong hark back to the 60s in the time of student demonstrations and the like.

Cast here is v.good indeed - led by that present-day Aussie multi-talent-on-legs, Tim Minchin, as Judas, perfect foil to a strong Jesus presence in Ben Forster. Mary Magdelene is [former?] Spice Girl Mel C., actually pretty good - plus the one whose outrageously entertaining song everybody looks forward to, King Herod, well played with sufficient camp without overdoing it, by former BBC [and other] radio presenter Chris Moyles. [Pity that when he's crucified, Jesus' 'crown of thorns' slipped right down over one eye - but that's live theatre for you]. 
The huge audience didn't hold back from voicing their acclaim, and at the end, the composer Lord L.W. himself came on stage to say a few words and thank the cast. He fully deserved to be well pleased. I was! What a treat! Terrific stuff!

[And I'm ever so sorry again not to be able to provide any stills] 

19 comments:

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    1. It was an experience worthy to enter in my 'diary', Mitch, where I only note events of 'significance'.

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  2. I do like the score.
    That's all I got ... wait. I Googled Carl Anderson as Judas. Oh my, I may have to take a look.

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    1. If you do look for Carl A. [I never knew what became of him], Bob, pay more attention to the sight than the sound, though he did also have an imposing voice to suit his presence.

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  3. I saw the NYC stage show in 1973 or 74. ted and carl were on the stage.

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    1. I hadn't been aware that - or hadn't thought about - they were in a stage version, W.Q., which is probably why they were cast for the film - or could it have been the other way around? i.e. they played it on stage BECAUSE they'd been in the film? Either way it seems to have been a career peak for each of them.

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    2. And you've probably seen that I've taken out the phantom spammer, most likely the same one who'd been a pesky nuisance to my own blog until recently. I'd found it was relatively simple to delete his inane comments in about two seconds [without even reading them] far quicker then he must have taken to write his drivel. Good riddance, I say!

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    3. thank you; the spammer is a waste of DNA.

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    4. And when he uses one of our names to post a comment on someone else's blog, that's just the action of someone too cowardly to reveal himself. Wish he'd just get lost - permanently.

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    1. And to you too. Keep safe, and only close to those you know well, however many legs they've got.

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  5. Oh, I would like to have seen that. My only "see" was the film back in the 70s. I liked it, but I understood the criticism it got. Perhaps one day I will see it live! One of my favorite lines: "Prove to me that you're no fool: walk across my swimming pool." Herod, of course.

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    1. ....plus-
      Prove to me that you're Divine.
      Turn my water into wine.
      and-
      Feed my household with this bread.
      You can do it on your head.

      Time Rice was no slouch when it came to writing memorable lyrics.
      I still think that Andrew L-W's best musicals have been the only three he wrote with Rice - this one, Joseph and Evita.

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  6. I could do with some turning water into wine at the moment! I have loved Tim Minchin every time I have seen, either comedy or acting or both.

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    1. He surely is the mega-talent of the moment, Carol. Wish I had the chance to see his 'Matilda'.

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    2. There was a black comedy series recently on television called "upright", as in piano, with Tim Minchin and a young girl ( Can't remember her name ) and it was excellent. It made me laugh and it made me cry. Truly brilliant.

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    3. I'll search it out and see if it's still available, Carol. Thanks.

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  7. We watched it Saturday night and then watched the John Legend version Sunday night. That's a lot of Jesus for me, but have to say the version you talked about is far superior I think.

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    1. I see the John Legend production is still available on YouTube, Mark. I'll definitely watch it very soon, even if I'm seeing it in the wrong order to the recent one - which, incidentally, I'm ever so pleased you were able to catch. There's also another production performed in Italy there from 2017. Also going to watch that. I think it's such a robust show that one doesn't tire of it, at least I don't.

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