Whangārei performance of Jesus Christ Superstar impresses

Pontius Pilate (Alistair Williams) interrogating Jesus (Pane Taukiri)

Jesus Christ Superstar
Whangārei Theatre Company
Riverbank Centre June 22 - July 7

Audience member Dee Jones shares what she liked about Whangārei Theatre Company's opening night production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

What sterling performances from the support act. They stood out for me and were loudly applauded by the audience at times.

King Herod (James Mulligan-Hill) was outstanding, along with Caiaphas and Annas (Franco Meyer and Cam Dow), Simon Zealotes (Dwayne Tainui), Pontius Pilate (Alister Williams) and Peter (Tane Davis). Their singing was rich and powerful, as were their performances.

They were part of the cast that made up Jesus Christ Superstar, by Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice.

This is a big show – dramatically, musically and with demanding choreography - but director, Gayle Dowsett from Whangārei Theatre Company, has managed well.
I enjoyed her interpretation of trying to make this story and show, relative to today.

The lead roles of Jesus (Pani Taukiri) and Judas Iscariot (Rawiri Hindle) are big characters, and they were performed with passion and intensity and with, at times, insightful interpretation of these two men and how it could have been for them.

Mary Magdalene (Debbie Graham) was sensitively and tenderly played and her rendition of the well-known songs was melodic and soothing. Their intense and compelling performances filled the stage.

It was a small cast for such a big show, and all the remaining actors worked well and fluidly in their multiple roles, without missing their cues in any way. The set was simple yet aptly planned. Grant Smith can be commended for the choreography.

Sometimes in other shows, the music has been an overwhelmingly loud cast member but I enjoyed that the band was more muted, a great support act in itself, and held the show together.

The production team was almost as big as the cast, and all in all, did a great job.

Dinner & show $55; Show $35; Seniors & Students $25