Julian Clary will play Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar when the UK tour launches at Manchester's Palace Theatre in September (11-23). He will also appear when the show moves to the Theatre Royal, Newcastle (September 26-30) and Liverpool Empire (October 23-28).
Clary said: "I am looking forward to presenting my crazed, queer, imperious King Herod. I’m thinking Putin-meets-Cleopatra, with a hint of Biggins."
The Olivier award-winning, reimagined production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical also features the already-announced Ian McIntosh (Jesus), Shem Omari James (Judas) and Hannah Richardson (Mary).
The production originated at London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and is again directed by Timothy Sheader, with choreography by Drew McOnie.
The original London production opened in 1972 and ran for more than eight years. By the time it closed – after 3,358 performances – it had become the longest-running musical in West End history.
This production won the 2017 Olivier award for Best Musical Revival and the 2016 Evening Standard award for Best Musical, selling out two consecutive engagements in 2016 and 2017.
More info and tickets here