Review: Jesus Christ Superstar – Therry Theatre
Therry Theatre has produced a joyous and excellent version of Jesus Christ Superstar receiving a standing ovation on the opening night adding to their outstanding history of superb musical productions – the whole season is sold out but beg, borrow or steal a ticket if you can!
Arguably Jesus Christ Superstar is Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s best musical/rock opera and the third they had written together, but not being able to find financial backing they initially were forced to release it as a concept album in 1970 which featured Murray Head, Ian Gillian and Yvonne Elliman. After the success of the album, it debuted on Broadway in 1971 then it ran for over eight years in its West End production holding the record for the longest running musical until it was overtaken by Cats in 1989. It has also travelled the world including highly successful Australian versions and was revived in the West End this year. If the Therry Theatre felt any pressure from this huge past success, they shouldn’t have because they have done an impressive job of the material.
Well past the point of worrying about spoilers of this story, after the Overture, Act 1 begins with Judas (Daniel Hamilton) concerned about followers of Jesus (Nicholas Munday) getting out of hand and threatening the establishment with the song ‘Heaven on Their Minds’. The apostles ask Jesus about his plans, but he tells them not to worry with ‘What’s the Buzz’. Judas reproaches Jesus about his relationship with Mary (Rebecca Pynor) ‘Strange Thing, Mystifying’. Caiaphas (Chris Coulter) and Annas (Parisya Mosel) and the High Priests plot Jesus’ downfall with ‘This Jesus Must Die’. This leads to one of the best songs of the musical/rock opera of ‘Everything’s Alright’. Then as Act 1 progresses another highlight of ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’ is wonderfully performed by Pynor.
Act 2 leads through Judas’s betrayal of Jesus, his trial then an absolutely brilliant version of ‘King Herod’s Song’ with Herod (Toby Strudwicke) and his courtiers dressed as clowns and tap dancing. The act then moves through to a glorious version of ‘Superstar’ and a respectfully handled crucifixion.
The set design by Ben Todd and the construction crew have produced a very useful and versatile space which easily switches from outdoor meeting places to indoor palaces. The Musical Director, Matthew Rumley and the band are to be commended for a great performance, if there were any missed notes they went unnoticed. Rebeka Stonelaitken’s choreography fits the production perfectly as well as the mix of old and new costumes.
Ben Todd’s direction has led to a magnificent production. In the leads, Hamilton, Munday and Pynor are stellar along with the rest of the spectacular cast.
As a testament to what audiences knew Therry Theatre would produce with this production of Jesus Christ Superstar, the whole season was sold out well before the opening night.
Reviewed by Rob McKinnon
Rating; 5/5
Jesus Christ Superstar runs 23 JULY – 1 AUGUST 2026
Venue: Arts Theatre, 53 Angas Street, Adelaide
Tickets: Sold Out
To book tickets to Jesus Christ Superstar, please visit https://therry.org.au/.
