JESUS Christ Superstar is returning to the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth this July. The production sees two new BBLOC (Bournemouth and Boscombe Light Opera Company) members take the title role of Jesus and the supporting role of Judas.

Matthew Traher who first appeared in last year’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang said: “Playing Jesus has to be one of the highlights of my theatrical career, the physical, mental and emotional journey of the last six days of Jesus Christ’s life is not only a challenge but a joy to portray. Jesus is the puppet master of his own destiny and with the help of this amazing company of actors we will bring that to life through the eyes of Judas.”

Playing his right-hand man, Judas Iscariot, is Charles Michael Duke. Charles returned to the stage after a four-year break in January, having undergone a double lung transplant in May 2018. He subsequently played Buttons in Cinderella last Christmas and is now taking to the stage in what is known as one of the most demanding roles in musical theatre.

“It’s been a crazy journey so far and now I’m facing one of the most demanding roles of my career. With the whole show being from Judas’s point of view, I rarely leave the stage, so this will really test me and my abilities, but I can’t wait to take on one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most iconic musicals.”

The role of Mary Magdalene is played by BBLOC veteran, Kirstie Rogers. “Mary isn’t my usual role in a musical, having last played Cynthia in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and with it being the only female lead in the show I had a lot of strong competition, so I was surprised to have been given the part but am extremely excited to get up there and get started. Not only does the character play a pivotal role in the show, but she also sings some of the most well-known female songs in musical theatre, ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’ and ‘Everything’s Alright’, so there’s a lot of pressure to get it right. Thankfully we’ve got an amazing Director and Musical Director to point me in the right direction and help me bring this iconic role to life.”

The Production team from BBLOC’s last two successful shows – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Priscilla Queen of the Desert - return once again for Jesus Christ Superstar. Helen Barrington in the role of the director and Ian Peters as musical director.

“JCS has definitely taken me away from my usual feather and sequin shows!” says Helen. “Creating the drama within a sung-through piece has been an exciting challenge demanding a lot of the company, who, as always, are on board every step of the way!”

Ian, who has worked on the show three times before said “Jesus Christ Superstar is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most well-known musicals, so taking on this iconic rock opera is going to be a real challenge. Having started out as a concept album, the show is entirely sung through, and so it is crucial to the production that this is perfect. Thankfully we have a fantastic cast who are doing justice to this superb score.”

* Jesus Christ Superstar runs for six performances from July 24 – 27 with matinees on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets (£20.50 – £22.50) with concessions and family tickets from bhlivetickets.co.uk and BBLOC.co.uk/tickets.