The now-legendary
Jesus Christ Superstar, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, initially struggled to find backing in 1970, so its first airing was as a concept album rather than the now mainly recognised stage show. Now, 55 years later, the legendary Northampton Musical Theatre Company, at least in Northampton, brings the show to the Royal & Derngate once again, after last performing it in 2010. The story, I suspect, needs little introduction, so I leave you to ensure you know the story before heading to the theatre to see the show.
And what a show it is: this is the N.M.T.C., almost at the top of their game, assembling the cream of their group and a vast cast supporting the main players. As lead, newcomer Linden Iliffe takes on the weighty role of Jesus of Nazareth, and he is terrific in the challenging part, depicting the innocent power imbued in him and his desperation and disappointment as his life unravels amid bitter betrayal and disownment. He has a powerful voice, but it is sometimes low on the softer songs, which can mean some lyrics are lost. Mary Magdalene is played with immense emotion by Ellie Tollan, in her fourth show with the group. Vocally, she is stunning, with her performances of Everything's Alright and I Don't Know How To Love Him among the show's best moments.
Elsewhere, the star of the show is Dan Hodson, who gives a full professional performance as Judas Iscariot. From his first appearance, vocally and physically, he is Judas, handling the ridiculously challenging songs Webber and Rice give the character. From his opening number,
Heaven on Their Minds, he stalks and lurks through the story, providing key narration. Hodson depicts beautifully both his sadness and despair as the position Jesus, and later the evil priests, put him in. Just a stunning performance.
Leading those evil priests are bold, pitch-perfect performances from Brett Hanson as Caiaphas and Timothy Sell as Annas. Their songs, if you are not familiar with the show, are deep, and they hit those tricky notes in the range needed and stalk the stage looking for blood with menace.
Gordon Ritchie plays the highly conflicted Pontius Pilate with significant levels of menace and even dark humour, but also despair as the assembled crowds force his hand to torture the now weakened Jesus.
For final mention, from the cast, is Matt Clarke's comic turn as King Herod, a role played by many a big star over the years, and Clarke takes his turn with relish, chewing the scenery and bringing some brief humour to the otherwise unremittingly dark story.
Long-time director with the group, Martyn Knight, once again brings his flair for keeping the action moving while, at times, bringing the huge cast to the fore. Scenes flow generally well into each other. There are a few bold staging moments that come off. Still, some don't work, especially around the crucifixion of Jesus, and, spoiler, the final moments of Judas, which, with better lighting decisions or staging, might not simply reveal the rather obvious walking offstage.
Rod Ilife, back once again with N.M.T.C., and his band fill the theatre with glorious music for the performers. While the levels were a little high in favour of the band in the first half, things quickly improved in the second act, making the lyrics easier to hear.
Overall, once again, N.M.T.C. have come up trumps, with a first-class production of Jesus Christ Superstar. It may not be a show for all, but for me it has grown on me with every production I have seen and deserves your attention and support this week to swell the sadly limited audience for opening night. Get to the Derngate and support this glorious, homegrown, dedicated group.
N.M.T.C. once again prove their depth in talent with this dazzling production of the classic show.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance reviewed: Tuesday 28th October 2025 at the Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton.
For further details about the Royal & Derngate see their website at http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk Photos: Casey Roberts
