AFTER CRITICS HAIL
THE OPENING OF ITS RUN
AN OVERWHELMING
SUCCESS
IN AUSTRALIAN
CINEMAS FROM NOVEMBER 8
“Lloyd Webber’s new generation
of superstars hits all the right notes.”
The Times
“A work of conceptual genius”
Daily Telegraph
“Restored to its heavy metal
rock origins.”
The Independent
“An almighty success!” Daily Star Sunday
“Blows away tradition.” Daily
Mail
Following a triumphant
opening weekend at London’s 02 Arena, Universal Pictures Australia is delighted
to announce that the 21st century re-invention of Tim Rice and
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” will be filmed
and shown in selected cinemas worldwide, including Australian screens from November
8, 2012 for one week only.
Andrew Lloyd Webber
said: "I
have waited 42 years for Jesus Christ Superstar to play arenas in the UK, and
it is great to finally see the show as it was originally intended, as an arena
rock opera. I’m thrilled that Universal will be filming the new arena tour of
Jesus Christ Superstar for cinema release, which allows us to capture this
amazing production and share it with the world!”
The 21-date arena tour,
the first ever in the UK, features a star-studded line-up which includes
award-winning musical comedian, Australia’s own Tim Minchin – also the
co-writer of West End smash musical Matilda – in the role of ‘Judas
Iscariot’; pop icon and former Spice Girl Melanie C as ‘Mary
Magdalene’; radio DJ Chris Moyles in his stage debut as ‘King
Herod’; and the winner of the UK’s primetime ITV show ‘Superstar’, Ben
Forster, who was chosen by the British public to take on the title role of ‘Jesus’.
An award-winning
creative team has been assembled to transform this legendary rock musical into
a unique, contemporary, state-of-the-art spectacular. Director Laurence
Connor, known for his work on the 25th anniversary performances
and concerts for Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera, works alongside
Mark Fisher, the acclaimed world-leading set designer responsible for the
staging of the Diamond Jubilee music concert in front of Buckingham Palace, and
Patrick Woodroffe who worked on the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic
Games, to create a conceptual masterpiece.
The filmed event will be
screened on over sixty screens in Australia from November 8, 2012 for one
week only.
“Jesus Christ
Superstar” is a
worldwide phenomenon, portraying the story of the last seven days of Christ
leading up to his crucifixion as seen through the eyes of ‘Judas Iscariot’, and
featuring hit songs such as ‘Superstar’, ‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’,
‘Heaven On Their Minds’ and ‘Hosanna’. Over 40 different cast recordings
have been released in 19 different languages.
The first production of “Jesus
Christ Superstar” was a US arena tour in 1971. It then debuted on Broadway,
and, in 1972, UK fans finally got their chance to see this landmark show when
it arrived at London’s Palace Theatre – its run of eight years and over 3,000
performances smashed all box office records. Since then, Jesus Christ Superstar
has rarely left the stage, with professional productions in 42 countries around
the world and with around 300 amateur productions officially licensed each year.
