Jesus Christ Superstar to transfer to Theatre Royal Drury Lane this autumn

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar will extend its London run with a further 12-week engagement at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 16 October 2026 to 9 January 2027, following its previously announced summer season at the London Palladium.

Produced by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, the production stars Sam Ryder as Jesus, with further casting also revealed today.

Harrison said today: “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. In light of this I am delighted to confirm that the production will follow its limited Palladium engagement with a further 12-week season at London’s other great iconic theatre, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, ensuring many more people have the opportunity to experience the extraordinary Sam Ryder in this legendary musical. I am also extremely proud that this is the first time a Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical will have played at the Lane”.

A recording of “Gethsemane” performed by Ryder will be released on streaming platforms on 16 May, following a live performance on Britain’s Got Talent on ITV1. The single has lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and was produced by Fraser T Smith alongside Lloyd Webber and Ryder.

The production is directed by Tim Sheader, with choreography by Drew McOnie and design by Tom Scutt. The creative team also includes musical supervisor Tom Deering, lighting designer Lee Curran, sound designer Adam Fisher, wigs, hair and makeup designers Sam Cox and Maria Johal, fight director Kate Waters and casting directors Grindrod Burton Casting.

The rock musical follows the final days of Jesus Christ through the eyes of Judas and features songs including “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”, “Gethsemane” and “Superstar”.

First released as a album, Jesus Christ Superstar opened on Broadway in 1971 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre before transferring to the West End, where the original London production ran for more than eight years and 3,358 performances.

Meet further cast members.