Jesus Christ Superstar UK tour with Julian Clary to play Herod

THEATRE NEWS | MarkMeets

Julian Clary will play the role of King Herod for the launch of the UK tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.

The Olivier Award-winning reimagined production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s celebrated musical will also star previously announced cast, Ian McIntosh (Jesus), Shem Omari James (Judas) and Hannah Richardson (Mary).

Julian Clary said: “I am so thrilled to be a part of this amazing production and look forward to presenting my crazed, queer, imperious King Herod. I’m thinking Putin meets Cleopatra with a hint of Biggins.”

Julian Clary will play Herod from 11 – 30 September and from 10 – 28 October, in Manchester, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Liverpool.

Julian Clary is also set to star in the West End this Christmas, returning to the London Palladium for its annual pantomime – Peter Pan, alongside Jennifer Saunders.

This reimagined production first premiered at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, winning a 2016 Evening Standard Award for Best Musical, and a 2017 Olivier Award, also for Best Musical Revival. The show also played the Barbican Theatre, and is directed by Timothy Sheader, with choreography by Drew McOnie, design by Tom Scutt, lighting design by Lee Curran, sound design by Nick Lidster and music supervision by Tom Deering.

The Jesus Christ Superstar UK tour kicks off at Manchester’s Palace Theatre on 11 September 2023, and visits Newcastle, Hull, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Plymouth, Wolverhampton, Bradford, Nottingham, Ipswich, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leicester, Stoke, Bristol, Crawley, Southampton, Norwich, Eastbourne, Birmingham, Oxford, Wimbledon, Woking, Sunderland, Canterbury, Sheffield, Llandudno, Torquay, Dartford, Cheltenham, Blackpool, Bromley, Inverness and Truro, with further dates to be added.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s iconic musical is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’ and ‘Superstar’.

The tour is produced by David Ian for Crossroads Live and Work Light Productions. The original production was produced by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.