Jesus Christ Superstar

QMC Performing Arts department

Queen Mary’s Hall

Until Saturday February 19

IT TAKES quite a brave department to tackle Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s 70s rock opera.

Not only is it one of those dialogue free musicals, moving from number to number without pause for breath, but it’s one of the most demanding, requiring extreme vocal range from its principals and supporting cast. The music is typically full of flats, sharps, minor and major keys, alternatively discordant or joyous as the mood demands.

And that’s before you contemplate that one character must commit suicide on stage and that it should conclude with Jesus’ crucifixion.

Director Anne Higgins has styled this ambitious show very well, making great use of Queen Mary’s Hall. The ensemble are able to weave their way from the back of the audience at several points, either in support of Matthew Leslie’s powerful and unmistakeable figure clad in white, or slinking in to bombard and attack him.

The students have been involved with every aspect of the production. There’s lots to applaud and appreciate up on stage from the incredibly effective backlighting – particularly for the Last Supper tableau at the beginning of the second half - to the fantastic costumes and the challenging conclusion which draws tears from many.

As it is vitally important that we understand every word being sung, someone like the outstanding Glenn Fletcher, who plays Judas, is an anchor for such a production. He has the privilege of giving us that terrific titular number and does a stunning job.

Also impressive are two of the girls playing alternate evenings, Sophie Holt as Pilate, who dealt with a microphone malfunction like a true professional, and the beautiful Becki Bowen as Mary.

Anne has made sure that there are lots of chances for the young ladies to shine – even though the key roles here are mostly for men. This equal opportunity casting means they are able to play apostles and priests, but it means tackling some really very low notes which were originally written for male voices, some of which were almost impossible to manage.

Ian Sharp and Steve Brannam have provided the bulk of the set and it’s worthy of a mention, given that it enables these students to attempt something seriously ambitious and all in the glare of the spotlight – putting Jesus on the cross.

Their combined efforts are absolutely worth it as the undeniably powerful image fills our eyes at the conclusion and not a sound can be heard from the awed audience in the hall.

Tickets are available from the box office on 01256 418318.