Coronavirus Easter Lockdown Viewing: Jesus Christ Superstar

Cast members (L-R): Tim Minchin, Ben Forster, Chris Moyles and Mel C.

On Good Friday 2020 Europe was in lockdown. People had effectively been confined to their houses for the last couple of weeks, as authorities struggled to slow the spread of COVID-19. 'Social distancing' was the new norm as meeting anyone outside your actual household was proscribed. Needless to say, all places of worship were closed.

The rock opera 'Jesus Christ Superstar' was streaming for free on YouTube. Here is SZ's review.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Live Arena Tour (2012)
Filmed live at Birmingham Arena

Ben Forster as Jesus Christ (6/10): a rather unconvincing JC. Certainly a good voice as with all the cast, but lacking in charisma and stage presence to be the son of God. Also a rather disconcerting resemblance to failed actor Stephen Toast from the comedy Toast of London.

Tim Minchin as Judas (8/10): rips out the songs with gusto. Adequately dreadlocked and mascara-ed up to look like the edgy critic of JC that he was.

Mel C as Mary Magdalene (9/10): a stand-out performance from the former Spice Girl. Great, impassioned rendition of the song 'I don't know how to love him'. Does he require earthly pleasure or rather spiritual partnership - or maybe both? Could have been a 10/10 had her counterpart been more into it.

Chris Moyles as King Herod (7/10): quite a decent effort from the radio presenter, but still lacking some of the sinister humour of Rik Mayall in the stunning production of the year 2000. A production, by the way, that still has the overall edge on this one.

Alexander Hanson as Pontius Pilate (10/10): he plays the tormented Roman governor of Judea with aplomb. His reluctance to have Jesus crucified is palpable, as he vainly interrogates him in an attempt to force him into confessing his revolutionary ambitions.

Pete Gallagher as Caiaphas (8/10): booming bass from the high priest of the Jews, who sees Jesus as a threat to their security within the Roman Empire. Are the Jews depicted as too evil in Lloyd Webber's opera by default? Perhaps so, but every piece needs its villains.

High point: the live musicians on stage are fantastic. Electrifying rock grooves.

Low point: staging of the last supper scene falls flat, as Forster as Jesus flatly delivers his lines. The cast look like a bunch of hobos drinking wine from paper bags here.