JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR to extend at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Shehrazade Zafar-Arif 14 May, 2026, 12:29

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar will be extending for a limited 12-week engagement with further performances announced for Theatre Royal Drury Lane following the show's summer season at the London Palladium.

Jesus Christ Superstar Artwork provided by production.

Jesus Christ Superstar chronicles the last week of Jesus's life up until his crucifixion, tackling his relationships with Judas and Mary Magdalene, and exploring the complicated politics and emotional dynamics of the time. It has been nominated for 5 Tony Awards, and after 3,358 performances, the original London production at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre became the longest running musical in West End history at the time. Its iconic rock opera score includes songs such as ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’, and the title number ‘Superstar’.

This production is directed by Tim Sheader with choreography by Olivier Award-winner Drew McOnie and design by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Tom Scutt, reuniting the creative team of the 2016 production. It stars Sam Ryder as Jesus, with Tyrone Huntley as Judas Iscariot, David Thaxton as Pontius Pilate, and Desmonda Cathabel as Marie Magdalene. Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Simon Russell Beale, Richard Armitage, Boy George, Layton Williams, and Julian Clary share the role of King Herod, with Bob Harms as Caiaphas, Matty J as Annas, Billy Nevers as Simon/Alternate Judas, and Phil King as Peter.

Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals has now announced that Jesus Christ Superstar will extend for a limited run at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane this autumn, saying, "The response to Jesus Christ Superstar has been nothing short of phenomenal, with demand for tickets at the London Palladium already breaking all time box office records."

Sam Ryder will continue as Jesus, alongside Desmonda Cathabel as Mary Magdalene, David Thaxton as Pontius Pilate, Bob Harms as Caiaphas, Matty J as Annas and Phil King as Peter. Casting for Judas Iscariot, Simon and King Herod for performances at Theatre Royal Drury Lane will be announced at a later date.

Ryder will also be performing 'Gethsemane' live this Saturday night on Britain’s Got Talent, from 6pm on ITV1. Following this live performance, the brand-new recording of 'Gethsemane' will be available to listen to on all streaming platforms from Saturday evening.

Jesus Christ Superstar will play at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from Friday 16 October 2026 to Saturday 9 January 2027.

Jesus Christ Superstar
London Palladium Jesus Christ Superstar
Theatre Royal Drury Lane