The Passion of Christ and classic rock is, by all accounts, a wild combination to pitch. But 45 years since its original concept album, Jesus Christ Superstar, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice's sprawling rock opera has cemented itself as one of the most ambitious and provocative shows in musical theatre history, from its nuanced portrayal of the life of Jesus to its infamously demanding score.
Now Oxford Operatic Society takes up the crown of thorns at the Oxford Playhouse; and with several acclaimed Lloyd Webber adaptations in their repertoire, the multi-award winning company is more than up to the challenge. We asked OXOPS' Jesus and Judas (Guy Grimsley and Andy Blagrove) how they've approached the production and the conflict brewing at its core.
Daily Information: What drew OXOPS to Jesus Christ Superstar?
Guy Grimsley: Not 100% sure I can answer this as I didn't choose it! But here goes: It is a fantastic show with powerful music blending rock with more classic musical theatre, some really exciting opportunities for dance and staging, loads of named roles, and plenty of storytelling for the ensemble to get their teeth into as well.
Andy Blagrove:I imagine it is a chance to perform an iconic show that doesn't come around all too often for us! We have existed for nearly 80 years (celebrations next year so watch this space!) and only once before have we had the chance to perform JCS. It is a show that is beloved by many and offers the membership a chance to get to grips with incredible music and explore really complex characters. There is also the chance for loads of involvement from the whole company with huge dance numbers and a show that is truly driven by the 'crowd'/
DI: The original show is obviously steeped in the rock, gospel and early synths of the 70s, with aesthetics to match; what does OXOPS’ vision for Jesus’s journey look like?
GG: We're going for more of a contemporary take, set in an urban street environment which brings the themes of the story to modern day references. We're trying to find the man and the emotion inside the character of Jesus, showing his conflict, his questioning of his divinely ordained fate, and his anger at the harm this fate causes to the people he loves. This is particularly true of his friend Judas who is unavoidably destroyed, and damned for all time, in the process of Jesus achieving his goals.
AB: I think what we have done is true to the piece but at the same time offer some more nuance here and there. Maybe a chance to look at characters and relationships in a way that maybe they haven't before. The production team have allowed the actors the freedom to really look at the characters and try to find the truth in each's story arc.
DI: What’s your favourite lyric from the show?
GG:I think for me the line Jesus spits at Pilate: "You have nothing in your hands., Any power you have comes to you from far beyond. Everything is fixed and you can't change it" because it completely sums up Jesus' state of mind in the moment before his death - powerlessness in the face of fate.
AB: I have so many it is hard to pin them down! I think that one of Judas' early one's 'All the good you've done will soon get swept away, as it acknowledges his understanding of all that Jesus has done to this point. It also lays the foundations for his growing concern and inner conflict between what he thought Jesus was all about - helping people, being charitable and treating people from all walks of life equally, and what he has become - all the talk of God and religion.
DI: The plot hinges on the conflict brewing between Jesus and his disciple Judas Iscariot - what makes a good Jesus/Judas? Do you have a favourite interpretation of the roles you’ve drawn inspiration from (please don’t say Lin Manuel Miranda)?
GG: I think they both have to tune into the emotions of their characters in all their complexity. Neither one of them is a caricature - sure we don't know very much about either of them beyond what others have written - but they aren't JUST angry, or JUST good. They are conflicted. They are friends who are led on a path that destroys them both. We're trying to bring that to our performances. In terms of a favourite interpretation - vocally mine has to be Steve Balsamo. I've listened to his performance on recordings since I was in the 6th form, (in the late 1990s!) I know every beat, every breath he takes. I love his clean but powerful performance.
AB: I think firstly it is the ability to tell a story through song. Not an easy task when the vocals are so challenging and for both Jesus and Judas, the sing is fairly relentless. To find the light and shade is a challenge and one that Guy and I have really embraced. I also think you need to somehow convey, in a very real way, the relationship and love that they had before it all turned sour (to quote Judas!) that way the fate of both just makes so much more sense dramatically. In terms of a Judas performance I really like the Brandon Victor Dixon's Emmy nominated portrayal in the NBC Live broadcast version form 2018. I just found it so completely real.
DI: With Evita under your belts and Jesus Christ Superstar on the way, can we expect more Lloyd-Webber shows down the line? If not, what should we look out for?
GG: There are definitely Lloyd-Webber shows that we've not performed that we'd jump at the opportunity to; Joseph would be fun and if Phantom ever became available we're ready! But next up we're off to the Austrian mountains with the beautiful The Sound of Music at The New Theatre in January 2026.
AB: The Lord has pumped out so many incredible musicals and we have been lucky to perform Evita, JCS and Sunset Boulevard. I would love a chance to do a few more, Joseph is such a firm family favourite and something like Phantom would be a dream for us! Who knows what the theatrical rights fairies may deliver to us in the future! I just hope we get lots of people in to see JCS, everyone has worked so hard and we would love for the show to be seen by as many people as possible!
Describe the show in 5 words.
GG: Fast. Emotional. Rocky. Fun. Provocative.
AB:Timeless. Iconic. Rock. Emotional. Thought-provoking (technically 6!).
Jesus Christ Superstar runs at The Oxford Playhouse from Tues 8th - Sun 13th July: book your tickets here.
Image credits: Simon Vail