clspencer
I never went to see this show at the theatre, didn't get the opportunity, but knew the music and saw snatches on TV over the years.I watched the Arena Tour on TV - what a truly wonderful experience. I couldn't take my eyes off. It was now a proper rock musical - I haven't been so enthralled or impressed since I went to see Hair in 1969, but this surpassed that by miles. Well done, a wonderful show with excellent performances; Tim Minchin was just superb, as was Mel C, and Ben Forster was so powerful at times it hurt. The ensemble cast were wonderful too.Changing the time worked very well, there are parallels with today which you cannot ignore and which made it even more dramatic. The set design was superb, the costume quite stunning.Yes, I enjoyed it! I just wanted to be there soaking it all up!
bigmarksnelling
Firstly, I have to say I would have seen at least 10 versions of the show, plus, of course, the movie. I also went to see the Arena spectacular at the brand-new Perth Arena. It was brilliant. I thought the 3 leads were totally brilliant, in particular Tim Minchin, who is a Perth boy. The DVD didn't disappoint either, and, to my musically educated mind, I felt that Ben Forster was absolutely brilliant, I thought Tim was fabulous, and I felt Mel Chisholm stole the show. This was the best iteration of this show I have ever seen, and I have also performed in the house band on a couple of them as well. I have seen Gillan, thought he over-sang, the best until now was John Farnham, but Forster wins for me. I can't understand one or two of the reviewers here, one said it was too modern????? The story was in set in 33AD, they didn't have tanks, helmets or metal scaffolding then either, but it's always been a part of the charm of this show , the juxtaposition of the times. I loved it. In case you can't tell.
Sam Hargreaves
This production is easily my favourite of the three currently existing "Jesus Christ Superstar" films, followed closely by the 1973 Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson film which beats the 2000 Gale Edwards video by a long way. Tim Minchin's Judas is absolutely superb. I'm a huge fan of his as a comedian and this production has lead me to hail him in an entirely new light. He gives one hell of an emotional performance as Judas Iscariot which will have you in tears. I also learned when I saw the show at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne that he has awesome stage presence. I could not take my eyes off him. Ben Forster also gives a very powerful performance as Jesus Christ. Many people criticize it for not being very Jesus-like, but those people forget that that's the point of the show. Forster's Jesus is more of a man with good morals and a sensibility that most of the ensemble characters seem to lack. This production is set during the London riots of 2011, where what goes on is similar to the rioting that was occurring in Israel at the time of the biblical narrative. This shows that the story's messages are timeless and that it contains morals that are still relevant today. The reason I rated this 9/10 is because for the DVD Tim Minchin's voice was auto-tuned. This was not done in the live show and it should not have been done here. Minchin has announced his displeasure at this and the fact that he delivered the lines the way he thought worked best, and that having the DVD producers alter that is "insulting." Overall, this production is absolutely amazing and I would recommend it to any musical theatre fan.
Eugene Shulgin
JCS is on of the real classics. I've been listening it as a kid and imagining the ancient Jerusalem. Of course i'm talking about the 1970 version with Ian Gillan as JC. Then came the movie with Ted Neeley brilliantly playing JC. These two are classics are a real challenge for new versions to compete with. Now speaking of the Live Arena. We have brilliant Tim Minchin as Judas, incredible Mel C as Mary Magdalane and arguably a black horse Ben Forster as JC. We also have Chris Moyles as King Herod, probably a best man for the role. But the surroundings are really modernized. No priests in white clothings! Instead we have gentlemen in gray suits as Annas and Caiaphas and some punk-looking youth as JC's surroundings. And it works out! JSC have always been sorta 'look from our time' thing, and this modern scenery perfectly fits. Alexander Hanson who plays Pontius Pilate add some classical theatre touch to the vivid palette of the show. Now about the main three characters. As i've mentioned Judas played by Tim Minchin is brilliant, it's really the top performance of Judas. Mel C is perfect in the role of Mary Magdalane. To tell the truth i've never liked Spice Girls, but this show opened my eyes of Mel C's talent! As for Ben Forster.... well really he's not the best out-here. Ian Gillan is more passionate and truthful even though we don't see him! I'm not saying that Ben is bad! He's OK! But i've HEARD better JC! And even Ben's advantage of performing on stage can't overcome that. However i won't lower my vote 10/10. It's a classic and if these shows added at least a handful of new fans than it's worth it!
AD
