Jesus Christ Superstar - Theatre Royal Drury Lane Tickets

This September, we’re supporting East and Southeast Asian Heritage Month, with this year’s theme, Evolving Threads. Throughout the month, we’re shining a light on the people helping to shape a more representative theatre industry, from casting and performers to the technical teams working behind the scenes. For this feature, we spoke to members of Jesus Christ Superstar, Disney’s The Lion King and RepresentAsian about their experiences within the industry, the importance of seeing people from ESEA backgrounds represented, and why creating opportunities beyond the stage matters. Desmonda Cathabel and Matty J: “This is a very multicultural production of Jesus Christ Superstar” Desmonda Cathabel, who plays Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, has been working in the UK musical theatre industry for about four years. When she arrived, she says she didn’t see Indonesian performers represented commercially on the musical theatre stage. “When I moved here, I didn't see a single Indonesian that's on stage in musical theatre, but one of my biggest inspirations was Lea SalongaThe 10th anniversary Les Mis video, and just Lea Salonga as Eponine is like, wow, like I can literally do that right now. I can do that right now because Lea Salonga did it. Suddenly it’s a given for us to be on stage.” For Desmonda, seeing performers who share her heritage can make possibilities feel much more tangible. She also highlights the importance of seeing a wider range of Asian characters and performers represented: “Of the Asian roles are usually the ingenue, young love interest. We don't really see a lot of older Asian women. If you think about a Sondheim leading lady, where's the Asian women? We’ve not even torched the topic of casting Asian men because there's still the stereotype of, like, Asian men are not masculine unless you have, like, some sort of, like Eurocentric features.” Matty J, who plays Annas, is originally from Indonesia and is in his first year of musical theatre. Together, they describe Jesus Christ Superstar as a production that reflects the diversity of London: “This is a very multicultural production of Jesus Christ Superstar. It reflects the reality of London. It just normalizes it, and it doesn't kind of fits any of us into, like, a certain box.”

The star-studded line-up of guest performers taking on the role of Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane has been unveiled. Following its summer season at the London Palladium, Tim Sheader’s acclaimed production will transfer to its new West End home this autumn. Sam Ryder will reprise the role of Jesus, joined by Desmonda Cathabel as Mary Magdalene, David Thaxton as Pontius Pilate, Bob Harms as Caiaphas, Matty J as Annas and Phil King as Peter.

Further casting details have been confirmed for Jesus Christ Superstar ahead of its upcoming London runs at the London Palladium and Theatre Royal Drury Lane, with updates to the scheduling of performers playing King Herod across the two venues. Simon Russell Beale will now appear as King Herod at Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 7 to 12 December 2026, rather than during the previously announced London Palladium dates in July. The change means Richard Armitage has extended his time in the role at the Palladium. He will now continue performances as Herod from 13 July until 1 August, before returning for an additional performance on 8 August.

After playing at the London Palladium this summer, Jesus Christ Superstar will transfer to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane this autumn for a limited West End season from 16 October 2026 to 9 January 2027. Singer-songwriter Sam Ryder will continue in the role of Jesus following his performances at the Palladium this summer. Further casting for key roles like Judas, Simon and King Herod is expected to be announced soon.