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March 2005
Written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar
first appeared as a double record album in October 1970. Totally
original and full of energy, it had everything, from the majestic
entrance into Jerusalem (Hosanna), the soul-wrenching cries of
"Christ you know I love you" to the anguish and loneliness
of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Producers who had previously been unwilling to take a chance on such
a daring production were dazzled and the show eventually premiered,
amid immense ballyhoo, at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York in
October 1971. The show was a huge box office success and ran for 720 performances.
In August 1972 the show opened in London's West End and was an
instant hit. By the time it closed, with 3,358 performances over
eight years, it had become the longest running musical in London
theatre history.
It has been reproduced regularly around the world in the 24 years
since it first appeared and has been referred to as a milestone in
musical theatre history. The recording of the show topped the
American album charts three times.
 Jesus
Christ Superstar chronicles the last seven days in the life
of Jesus of Nazareth as seen through the eyes of his disillusioned
apostle, Judas Iscariot.
At the start of the play Judas agonises that Jesus' followers have
become fanatical, hailing him as the 'Messiah' and twisting his words
into prophesies. In Judas' mind Jesus is only a man - a man with
failings like any other and Judas disapproves of his relationship
with Mary Magdalene.
As support for Jesus grows and the crowd gets louder and more rowdy,
the rift between Jesus and Judas grows. As Jesus' behaviour becomes
more erratic, losing his temper in the temple then begging to be left
alone when a crowd of cripples surround him asking to be healed,
Judas is more convinced that Jesus has lost control of the mob and
that it must all stop.
Believing that what he is doing is for the best Judas goes to the
priests and tells them where they can catch Jesus without risking
violence by the mob. After leading the soldiers to Gethsemane Judas
betrays Jesus with a kiss and Jesus is arrested and taken to
Caiaphas, the High Priest. When some of the crowd recognise Peter he
denies that he knows Jesus, just as Jesus said he would.
Jesus is taken before Pilate. As Jesus comes from Galilee, Pilate
feels that this is a matter for Herod to resolve. Herod is infuriated
when Jesus won't perform any miracles in his defence and throws him
out of his house.
With Jesus once again in a cell and severely beaten, Mary and the
apostles see everything they had hoped for going horribly wrong.
Judas realises that he will be blamed for all time for what has
happened and in an anguished mix of despair and anger he hangs himself.
Once again Jesus is taken before Pilate who feels that Jesus has done
nothing wrong but in answer to an increasingly angry mob, Pilate
flogs Jesus 39 times. However this fails to appease the crowd and
upon no helpful response from Jesus, Pilate condemns him. Jesus is
crucified and the apostles are left to comfort each other and reflect
upon the impact Jesus has had on their lives.
Cast credits
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Tim Reynolds (Jesus)
Originally from Northern Ireland, Tim has been living in Barry for
almost two years. Although he has been involved in various performing
arts since childhood, this is his debut performance in an amateur
dramatics company. When not performing with PUKKA, Tim is involved
with his work at the Salvation Army and Barry Library, all while
attempting to complete his Masters Degree! |
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Calum Small (Judas)
Calum has been involved in theatre from an early age. He has
performed in many shows with various amateur companies and his
professional credits include 'extra' work on 'Casualty', 'Only Fools
and Horses' and 'Teachers'. He has also presented 'Curriculum Bites'
which is currently shown on BBC learning zone. Calum hopes to
continue into professional theatre and film work and is proud to be
involved in this exciting production. |
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Suzannah Delaney (Mary)
Suzannah is a 22 year old primary school teacher who currently
teaches at Llansannor Primary School. She has been singing since an
early age and has recently achieved her grade 5 in piano. Suzannah
has worked tirelessly throughout this show as a member of the
production team and has co-run PUKKA Petites. An extraordinarily
talented singer, this is Suzannah's first leading role in a musical,
and PUKKA are delighted that she is making her debut in this show. |
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Matthew Penn (Caiaphus)
Matthew is currently in his second year at Bristol Academy of
Performing Arts studying Musical Theatre. Honoured to be asked to
play Caiaphas in this first PUKKA production, Matthew hopes to
continue on in musical theatre and perform in the West End. |
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Norman Binding (Annas)
Norman was involved with amateur dramatics many years ago but
considers the role of Annas to be the first serious role. He has some
experience with pantomime and remembers, with some nostalgia, fencing
on the same stage as JCSS rehearsals have taken place... what a nice return! |
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Benjamin Davies (Simon)
Presently studying at Bristol Academy of Performing Arts, Ben has
appeared in a professional production of 'The Jungle Book', as
understudy of Mowgli. Other credits include 'Hot Mikado' and 'Little
Shop of Horrors'. Ben also went on a scholarship to 'Arts Ed' in
London earlier this year. |
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Michael Bennett (Pilate)
Michael has been involved in amateur dramatics for 5 years. Shoes
include 'A Century of Song', 'Me and My Girl', 'Peter Pan', 'Gypsy',
'Sleeping Beauty' and 'Little Shop of Horrors'. He studied BTEC
National Diploma in Performing Arts and hopes to study Musical
Theatre in Drama College in London. |
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Rickie-Lee Arthur (Peter)
Rickie is 17 years old and started his career with the Dolman Theatre
at 15. He has played two leading parts, in 'Grounded' and 'Scrooge'.
He has now gone solo in his pop career, qualifying for two finals in
London. He enjoys both singing and acting and is proud to be a part
of this very moving production. |
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Alun Brown (Herod)
Singing from an early age and currently a DJ in a local nightspot,
Alun admits that entertainment has always been a major factor in his
life... "it gives me a great feeling to make people laugh and smile". |
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Apostles
Rickie-Lee Arthur, Richard Patch, Alun Brown, Ben Jenkins, Michael
Bennett, Calum Small, Sophie Taylor-Moore, Jodie Gould, Helen Evans,
Samantha Boardman, Melanie Rodgers, Lauren Najjar |
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Chorus
Laura Bates, Rose Bird, Bev Jones, Lucy Walklett, Dominique Aston,
Judith Walklett, Alison Gilmore, Christine Roberts, Rhianne Davies |
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Dancers
Charlotte Hodgkinson,Amy Bruno, Jenna Sherrin, Louise Ball, Ashaa
Davies, Rachel Shankland, Nicola Boyd-Anderson, Kellie Harrington,
Sarah Jones, Jenny Hunt |
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Priests
Campbell Foster, Eric Coleman, Dave Hutton
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Soldiers
Steve Evans, Lee Arthur, Larry Lawrence
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PUKKA Petites
Lucy Dimond, Chaliese Anderson-Ludvigson, Sarah Bailey, Olivia
Harris, Seren Evans, Megan Howard, Laura Owens, Rhia Dutton, John
Miles, Rosie Ladner, Jordan Wilson, Georgia Graham, Rebecca Arcos,
Elin Thickpenny, Carys Marshall, Bethan Thorngate, Catherine Roberts,
Megan Punter, Charly Walker, Lydia Bennett, Sophie Owens, Aimee
Delaney, Rowan Connell, Callum Connell, Jack Benlican, Frankie
Benlican, Sophie Williams. |
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