Simon Russell Beale moves Jesus Christ Superstar dates to Drury Lane – with Richard Armitage adding more Herod shows

Another week, another bit of Jesus Christ Superstar news as the show gears up for its spells at The London Palladium and Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Simon Russell Beale will play King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 7 to 12 December 2026, while Richard Armitage has extended his run in the role at The London Palladium.

Michael Harrison, speaking on behalf of Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, confirmed that Beale will no longer appear during the previously announced dates at the Palladium between 13 and 25 July.

Armitage will instead continue as King Herod for an additional two weeks, performing from 13 July to 1 August and returning for a further performance on 8 August. Full casting and plans for Herod (or Herods) for the Theatre Royal Drury Lane engagement will be announced at a later date.

Jesus Christ Superstar begins performances at The London Palladium on 20 June for an 11-week run, with opening night set for 7 July. Sam Ryder leads the cast as Jesus. Following its London Palladium engagement, the production transfers to Theatre Royal Drury Lane for a 12-week season running from 16 October 2026 until 9 January 2027.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical follows the final days of Jesus Christ as seen through the perspective of Judas. Numbers in the score include “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”, “Gethsemane” and “Superstar”.

The production is directed by Tim Sheader with choreography by Drew McOnie and design by Tom Scutt, reuniting the team behind the 2016 staging first seen at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Joining them on the creative team are musical supervisor Tom Deering, lighting designer Lee Curran, sound designer Adam Fisher, wigs, hair and make-up designers Sam Cox and Maria Johal, fight director Kate Waters and casting directors Grindrod Burton Casting.

Jesus Christ Superstar opened on Broadway in 1971 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, receiving five Tony Award nominations including Best Original Score. Its original London production later ran for more than eight years, completing 3,358 performances and becoming the longest-running musical in West End history at the time of its closure.

The production is presented by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals in association with LW Entertainment.