REVIEW: Jesus Christ Superstar at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

Jesus Christ Superstar, by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, tells one of the World’s most well-known and important stories. The show has been wowing audiences all over the globe since the 1970s and this touring production arrives in Woking at a topical time of year with Easter just days away.  Opening with Judas and his concerns with the influential Jesus and culminating with his crucifixion, the show tells rather than preaches. The writers knew this musical was a risk when it was being developed but the audience on opening night here clearly disagreed, rising to their feet.

FIRST LOOK: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel at the Arcola Theatre

Voted the best musical of the 20th Century by Time Magazine, Carousel is the classic American musical, with a timeless score that includes the songs If I Loved You, June Is Bustin’ Out All Over and the iconic You’ll Never Walk Alone. 

Carousel features a brand new acoustic orchestration by Mark Cumberland with musical supervision from renowned orchestrator Larry Blank, who has recently been represented on Broadway by his Tony Award-nominated orchestrations of Catch Me If You Can, The Drowsy Chaperone and White Christmas, as well as Singin’ In The Rain, Carousel, Fiddler on the Roof and The Producers in the West End. 

Carousel is directed by Luke Fredericks (Jekyll and Hyde) with choreography by Lee Proud (Hairspray, Leicester Curve), set and costume design by Stewart Charlesworth and lighting design by Catherine Webb. Musical arrangements and orchestrations are by Mark Cumberland, with musical supervision by Larry Blank and musical direction by Andrew Corcoran. Carousel is produced by Morphic Graffiti with creative consultancy by Kim Poster. Casting is by Ben Newsome. Presented by arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe.