Scotch College

‘If you missed Les Misérables last year, don’t miss this’

16–31 October 2009
Geoffrey McComas Theatre, James Forbes Academy, Scotch College

The Old Scotch Music and Drama Club (OSMaD) production of Les Misérables in October 2008 was a triumphant sell out – an entertaining and sophisticated production leading to rave reviews from those lucky enough to secure a ticket. This year’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar has been extended to 10 performances to allow more in the Scotch community to see and hear what can be achieved in the wonderful surrounds of the Geoffrey McComas Theatre.

A little history:

Launched in the 1970s, revived in the 1990s and still winning audiences Jesus Christ Superstar was written by Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice. On its debut in 1970 Andrew Lloyd-Webber was 22, and Tim Rice 26.

Jesus Christ Superstar, the original and most famous rock opera, was launched on Broadway in 1970 to great acclaim and popularity, but also controversy for its thematic treatment and interpretation of the last seven days of Jesus. Since then, Superstar has been reinterpreted, revived, filmed, recorded and played to audiences across the world, winning many significant awards along the way.

After several early popular productions across Europe, Superstar opened successfully at the Palace Theatre in London in 1972, running for eight years, and becoming the United Kingdom’s longest–running musical at the time.

The original Australian production opened in Sydney in May 1972, later moving to the Palais Theatre in Melbourne. It featured Trevor White as Jesus, Jon English as Judas, and Marcia Hines as Mary Magdalene (the first black woman to play this role); other cast members included Reg Livermore, Doug Parkinson, John Paul Young and Stevie Wright.

A 1992 Australian concert cast revival starring John Farnham as Jesus, Jon Stevens as Judas and Kate Ceberano as Mary Magdalene was created to great critical acclaim.

Now for the Old Scotch interpretation …

The OSMaD production team will present another contemporary reinterpretation of Jesus Christ Superstar. The team of Alan Burrows (director), Ben Hudson (music director) and Andrew Plant (choreographer) has collaborated and workshopped a new vision of the storyline. This new concept will provide a fresh dramatic perspective on an age old story while staying true to the musical and lyrical traditions of the Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice original.

The cast of 40 is drawn widely from Melbourne’s thriving amateur theatre community, including a number of Old Scotch Collegians, and has been rehearsing since July. GS