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NODA North West Magazine

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Macclesfield Majestic Theatre Group

Director / Choreographer: Carolyn Farrish-Mayer
Musical Director: Heather Hayes-Wilson
 

I think that this show is a very bold choice for any amateur theatre group to tackle, because not only is it musically and technically difficult, it is also extremely emotional.

Macclesfield Majestic Theatre group under the direction of Carolyn Farrish-Mayer pulled this off in spectacular style.

I particularly like the cross which was lit during the playing of the overture, it really focussed the mid on what was to come.  It was also used to great effect at the end of the show when Jesus died and the lights immediately blacked out.  The audience sat for a moment, hardly daring to break the emotion and tension with any applause.

Stephen Clayton in the title role gave a towering performance with an excellent stage presence.  His acting and singing had exactly the right blend of authority and tenderness, and he looked just as I had always imagined that Jesus would look.

Robbie Medina as Judas was excellent in this difficult and unsympathetic role and his acting skills, together with those of Stephen Clayton really brought out the tension of the situation in the scenes between the two men.

Emily Knutton as Mary Magdalene gave a beautifully emotional performance and her singing was a particular delight to hear in the love 'I Don't Know How to Love Him'.

Perfect characterisations were again evident from Steve Donnelly as Pilate and Nigel Wells as Herod.

The Apostles led by Sid Smith as Simon and Peter Hazelwood as Peter gave splendid individual characterisations of Jesus followers, being in turn bold, brash and full of bravado, and then as the events unfolded towards the crucifixion, they became sad, disillusioned and fearful.

Caiaphus was well sung by Tony Slater and was well supported by Kevin Clarke as Arias and the two priests played by Mike Raymond and Paul Yandell.

This was a powerful and very good performance, accompanied by an excellent orchestra under the direction of Heather Hayes-Wilson.

Thank you for a most enjoyable evening.

Margaret Taylor