Jesus Christ Superstar - Watermill Theatre REVIEW

Move over Jamie Lloyd’s Evita—there’s a hot new Lloyd Webber revival in town!

This week, the Watermill Theatre’s electrifying production of Jesus Christ Superstar by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber has exploded onto the scene. Following the huge success of recent summer shows like Barnum and The Lord of the Rings, this revival had big shoes to fill—and it delivers in every way.

From the first note, the sheer talent of the 18-strong cast is undeniable. Each performer acts, sings, dances, and plays multiple instruments. They command attention from the very first bars and somehow manage to fill the compact Watermill stage without ever making it feel cramped, particularly impressive in such an intimate space. 

The brilliance doesn’t stop with the cast. The dazzling lighting design, stunning set, and gorgeous costumes all combine to create a richly immersive experience. Every production element is executed with flair—there’s simply no weak spot.

I’m utterly obsessed with Parisa Shahmir’s portrayal of Mary. Her rendition of I Don’t Know How to Love Him is breathtaking—emotional, heartfelt, and completely captivating. Michael Kholwadia as Jesus and Max Alexander-Taylor as Judas also give standout performances, bringing intensity and nuance to these iconic roles. Special mention goes to Samuel Morgan-Grahame, whose hilarious turn as a fetishist Herod—complete with leather-clad entourage—is an absolute show-stealer.

The second act opens with a unique twist with the audience moves outside to sit around a firepit, surrounded by benches and beanbags. We witness the Last Supper under the open sky, as Judas’s betrayal leads to Jesus’s arrest. The outdoor sequence ends with Annas and Caiaphas performing from the rooftop of the theatre—an unforgettable and inspired staging choice.

This ambitious, invigorating revival hits every mark and comes close to theatrical perfection no small feat with source material as challenging as this. The adaptation, direction, performances, choreography, set, lighting, sound - every element is exquisite.