Jesus Christ Superstar
Chairmans Chat Story Review Cast Production Crew

Chairman's Chat by Ray Fisher

This is HAODS’ first Rock Musical and has been somewhat of a challenge! I hope that you will agree that we have risen to this challenge, and that we have produced a great show.

I went around a few of the “departments” of HAODS and asked, “what is the worst and the best thing about this show”

Costumes said, worst – making 37 leper costumes all in drab grey and best – being ready 3 weeks before the 1 st night.

Stage crew said, worst – making the cross and best – the Monday morning after the show.

Brian Steel said, worst – It’s a vast amount of work for the MD (no dialogue, non-stop music, requires FOUR CDs to record the chorus rehearsal tracks) and best – the show is exciting, vibrant and full of original musical vitality.

Yvonne Chadwell said, worst – Losing a lighting designer 8 weeks before the show after a year of planning and best – working with a team of professionals and very professional amateurs (in all departments – on and off stage) on a show that is so different and challenging. (Having a set designer and lighting designer that really know their stuff has been so interesting).

My comments would be, worst – trying to find something interesting for this bit of the programme and best – being involved with such an exciting show.

The Story

From His entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, through to His death at the hands of Pontius Pilate, Jesus Christ Superstar is an epic telling of the last seven days of Jesus of Nazareth, the story of men and women driven to their fate by forces beyond control.

As powerful and compelling today as the day it was written, Jesus Christ Superstar has a hard, brutal edge, which both startles and thrills audiences, offering a musical range, from powerful rock rhythms to tender ballads.

The musical caused a furore when it first hit the world 30 years ago as a recorded rock opera. – Some found it sacrilegious. Jesus Christ Superstar first came to the stage in July 1971 in Pittsburgh. Later that year in New York, the stage show thrilled audiences, and the show has attained the status of theatrical legend. The 1998 London production marked the show’s revival in the UK , and now HAODS is proud and thrilled to be bringing this show to a Horsham audience.

The Review

There are few better written mainstream musicals than Jesus Christ Superstar and you will see few more expertly produced amateur performances than Horsham Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society’s (HAODS) production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice classic (November 9).
Reproductions of this play hinge on the crucifixion scene and HAODS interpretation of Christ’s dying moments is such a stunning climax that the last few scenes of the show whimper out in comparison.
The performances from Damian Macdonald as Judas and Steve Cox as Pontius Pilate are two of the strongest amateur musical performances I have seen at the Capitol and, indeed, anywhere in West Sussex.
In fact the only criticisms that can be levelled at this impressive production relate to ghosts in the sound system that too often interrupted the action with their squeals and murmurs.
The minimalist set dreamt up by young Horsham designer Louise Watson is picked out perfectly by some moody lighting and gives the play a fittingly professional backdrop.
But the play is really held together by the fantastically well-organised large group harmonies that map Christ’s fall from his march into Jerusalem to his public execution at the hand of the people who welcomed him.

Tim Raw – West Sussex County Times

The Cast

Pharisees                                                Soldiers
Howard Collis                                            Gregor Thomson           
Mark Birdseye                                           Mark Jones
Vernon Jennings                                        Ken Mitcham

Superstar
Soul Singers                                            Dancers
Lynn Andrews                                            Claire Banks
Amy Blaskett                                             Frances Douglas
Frankie Brindle                                           Ruth Douglas
Debby Crunden                                          Jackie Shepherd

Angels                                                      Hostesses
Sheryl Hill                                                  Jane O’Sullivan
Emily Gilbert                                              Katherine Taylor

Herod’s Harem
Frankie Brindle                                           Debby Crunden
Rachel Down                                              Roz Hall
Karen Robinson                                          Gill Tanner

Temple Dancers                                       Pilates Wife
Amy Blaskett                                             Frances Douglas
Rachel Farrant
Jackie Shepherd

Maid, Woman & Man by the Fire             Mary, Mother of Jesus
Lynn Andrews                                            Elesa Bussey
Debby Crunden
Howard Collis

Judas Singers
Mags Fisher
Tess Kennedy
June Randall
Jean Salmon

Children
Team Bethany                                         Team Jerusalem
Ben Aiton                                                  Rebecca Andrews
Millie Aiton                                                Nick Chadwell
Jessica Black                                            Fleur Gribble
Amy Snowden                                           Jamie Spiers
Callum Yeates                                           Cameron Tubb

The Production Crew

Production Team
Director & Choreographer ~ Yvonne Chadwell
Musical Director ~ Brian D. Steel
Set Design & Scenic Artist ~ Louise Watson
Lighting Design ~ Mike Medway
Production Manager ~ Howard Collis
Front of House Manager ~ Hugh Addy
Stage Manager ~ Tim Lawrence
Deputy Stage Manager ~ Andrew Shepherd
Lighting Board Operator ~ Tim Lawrence
Follow Spot Operators ~ Keith Greenwood ~ Tim Ayres
Sound Operator ~ Steve McEvoy
Properties Manager ~ Steff Dance
Costumes ~ Esther Betts ~ Barbara Gumbrill ~ Alison Shapley
Box Office Manager ~ Jean Salmon
Publicity & Programme ~ Juliet Sumner
Photography ~ Ray Fisher

Stage Crew
Tony Francis
Andrew Shepherd
David Fuller Brian Greenwood
Duncan Morton Peter Shapley

Properties Crew
Hugh Addy
Alix Chadwell
Amy Parker

Rehearsal Pianist
Iris Holmes

Green Room Steward
 Carrie Collis