The acclaimed London production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical Jesus Christ Superstar launches a mammoth UK tour at the Manchester Palace Theatre (September 11-23).
Other northern dates so far announced are Liverpool Empire (October 23-28); Bradford Alhambra (November 27-December 2); Venue Cymru, Llandudno (July 1-July 6, 2024) and Blackpool Winter Gardens (August 12-17, 2024).
This will be the second time the Palace has hosted the launch of a UK tour of Superstar. It was this show, starring Paul Nicholas, that ran there for six weeks from mid-March 1981 – the first show at the theatre after a major, multi-million pound renovation.
Following several sold-out runs in London, as well as an extensive tour of North America, the current Olivier Award-winning, reimagined production was originally seen at London's Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. It won the 2017 Olivier award for best musical revival and the 2016 Evening Standard award for best musical.
A global phenomenon, Superstar has been a huge success since the iconic 1970s rock score was originally released as a concept album and opened on Broadway in 1971. The original London production ran for over eight years. By the time it closed, after 3,358 performances, it had become the longest-running musical in West End history at that time.
The show has been revived regularly around the world ever since.
The show is set against the backdrop of the 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 the era in which it was composed, the score includes I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane and Superstar.
Casting and further dates are still to be announced.
More info here