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Theatre 2000 Pavilion Theatre Bournemouth June 2003 The marvellous Ron Armstrong Orchestra, under musical director Ian Peters, keeps the great rock-style score at a sound level that is pleasing to the ear. And the show’s outstanding lighting adds enormously to the overall effect, as do the wonderful costumes, a superb blend of traditional and modern that reach their zenith in the incredibly enjoyable Herod scene. But it is the company that makes the show, and this cast puts its heart and soul into every scene with a professionalism that comes only from exceptional talent and sheer hard work. Steve Williams (the part is played by Michael Crawshaw on Tuesday and Friday) acts and sings brilliantly as Jesus, with an emotion that is almost harrowing to witness. And Andrew Rawstron, as his betrayer Judas Iscariot, is equally adept in the acting stakes although I had some difficulty in hearing his words clearly. Julian Smith is superb as the tormented Pontius Pilate, as is Kamya Rawstron Brake as Mary Magdalene, and there are fine performances too from David Pilling (Caiaphas), John Earwood (Annas), Mike Young (Simon Zealotes) and Frank Beakhouse (Peter). And Paul Bower, in one of the evening’s highlights, is a total joy as playboy King Herod. Please see this show. You won’t come out laughing – in fact you may well be moved to tears – but you will be hard-pressed to believe that you have been watching anything other than a fully professional performance. Linda Kirkman Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo. |
