Jesus Christ Superstar – NMTC Production ★★★★☆
By Sarah Becker
I must confess, I hadn’t seen Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s incredibly popular Jesus Christ Superstar before, so I was quite pleased to watch Northampton Musical Theatre Company’s adaptation with fresh eyes.
I knew the show had enduring appeal; friends had raved about various productions of the rock opera, citing its powerful score, emotion, and timeless themes. And yes, the show still feels hauntingly relevant today. Telling the story of Jesus’s last week, themes of betrayal, fame, fear, bullying, and salvation can all be interpreted through a modern lens. Add to that a soaring, emotionally charged score, and you have a musical that still resonates today.
It’s never easy to take on a production with such a devoted following, and I wondered how Northampton Musical Theatre Company would fare. NMTC is amateur theatre company, but one with an impressive reputation in Northamptonshire. Performing since 1898, it consistently aims for high standards — and this cast rose to the challenge admirably.
The man sitting next to me in the Derngate’s auditorium, told me it was his fourth time seeing Jesus Christ Superstar and in his words this adaptation was ‘as good as some professional productions — and Judas (Dan Hodson) was better than some professional performers he’d seen.’
Firstly, let’s talk about the set supplied by Scenic Projects — incredible. It evoked biblical scenes including those of Jerusalem and Herod’s Palace and made a seriously impressive backdrop when the curtain went up on the Derngate stage, completely filling the space.
This production was directed by Martyn Knight with Rod Lliffe taking the helm as musical director. We all know the story of Jesus, but seeing it unfold on stage was still a gut-wrenching experience, particularly in the second half as scenes of betrayal and his ultimate crucifixion played out.
The show was sung throughout, and overall the cast from NMTC delivered terrific vocals which were beautifully enhanced alongside the orchestra in the pit.
Let’s talk about the “baddies”: Pilate (Gordon Ritchie) and the priests led by Caiaphas (Brett Hanson) and Annas (Timothy Sell) who were gunning for Jesus. They were terrific — dark, menacing, and vocally impressive with deep baritones. There’s always something compelling about a good villain, and these performances brought a real sense of danger and drama. Gordon Ritchie, as Pilate, delivered a standout vocal as he bows to calls to “crucify him!” “And yet, those involved in Jesus’s crucifixion had complex characters, driven by various forces. This was also reflected on stage.
Judas — oh Judas, why did you do it? Dan Hodson as Judas gave another standout vocal performance and captured the nuances of a man tormented by guilt after betraying Jesus.
Jesus, played by Linden Llife, was the perfect foil — dressed simply in white, he projected humility and quiet strength. His performance drew real sympathy from the audience as he healed the sick, faced betrayal, and accepted his fate. As with all “nice guys,” his demise was deeply moving, and NMTC captured the raw emotion of the crowd baying for his blood beautifully.
Mary Magdalene, played by Ellie Tollan, worked beautifully opposite Jesus, and her vocal delivery drew real sympathy from the audience.
In the second half, the emotional power intensified as Jesus’s betrayal rocketed toward its tragic conclusion. The atmosphere in the theatre was electric, with several visually striking scenes by the whole cast.
Standout moments included the cabaret-style “Herod’s Song,” where Herod mocks Jesus, and the rousing title number “Jesus Christ Superstar,” delivered both visually and musically. The company tackled these iconic moments with confidence and energy.
The directorial choice of having the cast individually lash Jesus had impact, as did the faces being illuminated one by one — a chillingly effective moment. The crucifixion scene was deeply moving.
If I could offer one small note, it would be that in the first few scenes — because the show is almost entirely sung-through — it was sometimes difficult to catch the lyrics, so it took a while to work out who each character was and what was happening.
Overall, what stood out most about this production was the combination of visual spectacle, vocal strength, and the orchestra. We all know NMTC can deliver powerful singing, but paired with the orchestra and such effective staging and lighting, this Jesus Christ Superstar delivered a triple threat.
A powerful, emotionally charged performance — and this amateur production, hit all the right notes. A solid four stars.
NMTC’s Jesus Christ Superstar will play at the Royal & Derngate until Saturday 1st November. To book tickets visit Royal & Derngate’s website: https://royalandderngate.co.uk/