Sam Ryder makes his West End debut in Jesus Christ Superstar – what’s the buzz on opening night?

Last night, WhatsOnStage was invited to join the celebrations for the official opening of Jesus Christ Superstar at The London Palladium, marking the West End debut for Eurovision favourite Sam Ryder.

Reuniting the creative team behind the hit 2016 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production, the show is directed by Tim Sheader and choreographed by Drew McOnie and received the full five stars from our lead critic Sarah Crompton. It is also set for an autumn season at Theatre Royal Drury Lane ahead of an extensive tour next year.

We caught up with Ryder at the post-show party, alongside Sheader and cast members Tyrone Huntley (Judas Iscariot), Desmonda Cathabel (Mary Magdalene), David Thaxton (Pontius Pilate), and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (King Herod), to ask “what’s the buzz” with the new 2026 staging.

You can watch the full opening night highlights below:

The cast also includes Bob Harms (as Caiaphas), Matty J (as Annas), Billy Nevers (as Simon/Alternate Judas), and Phil King (as Peter). Ferguson shares the role of Herod with Richard Armitage, Boy George, Layton Williams and Julian Clary at the Palladium. You can find out who’ll be taking on the role at Drury Lane here.

The company is completed by Koko Alexandra (also Soul Singer), Jasmine Jules Andrews, Courtney Arango, Amy Barker, Alistair Beattie, Daniel Bowskill, Jahlil M Burke, Martha Burton, Marcelo Cervone, Sarah Freer (also Soul Singer), Sebastian Goffin, Alexander Kranz, Owen Lloyd, Milo McCarthy, Dan Moore, Cherece Richards (also Soul Singer), Kyle Richardson, Olivia Saunders, Toyan Thomas-Browne, Charley Warburton (also Mob Leader), and Lillie-Pearl Wildman.

Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, Jesus Christ Superstar tells the story of the final weeks of Jesus’s life, focusing on his relationship with Judas Iscariot and the political and emotional tensions surrounding his crucifixion.

The creative team also includes designer Tom Scutt, musical director and supervisor Tom Deering, lighting designer Lee Curran, sound designer Adam Fisher, wigs, hair and make-up designers Sam Cox and Maria Johal, and fight director Kate Waters. Casting is by Grindrod Burton Casting.

Tickets are on sale below.