Sam Ryder to appear in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Mayflower in Southampton
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The UK’s Eurovision star Sam Ryder will be taking a starring role on the stage in Hampshire
The Spaceman will become Jesus for a big-budget version of one of the most popular musicals of all time.
Sam Ryder, whose song Spaceman was pipped to the Eurovision crown by Ukraine in 2022, will be starring in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Mayflower in Southampton in September next year.
After the show finishes its West End run at The London Palladium - where it opened on Saturday - and Theatre Royal Drury Lane it will head to Hampshire for a string of shows from September 1 to September 11, 2027.
Producer Michael Harrison said: “We are absolutely delighted that Jesus Christ Superstar will embark on a major UK tour following the phenomenal response to this extraordinary new production. The tremendous buzz generated by Saturday night’s first performance at The London Palladium underlines just how special this iconic musical remains, and we are thrilled that audiences across the country will now have the opportunity to experience Tim Sheader’s visionary staging, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary score, and Sam Ryder’s electrifying performance.
“This is fantastic news for touring theatre and audiences throughout the UK, ensuring that this remarkable production can be enjoyed by many more people following our seasons at the Palladium and Theatre Royal Drury Lane.”
Full casting, including the role of Herod will be announced at a later date.
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global phenomenon is directed by Tim Sheader with choreography by Olivier Award-winner Drew McOnie and design by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Tom Scutt.
Jesus Christ Superstar follows the events of the last days of the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane and the iconic title number Superstar.
Originally released as an album, Jesus Christ Superstar opened on Broadway in 1971, at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, where it was nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Original Score. The original London production ran for over eight years. By the time it closed, after 3,358 performances, it had become the longest-running musical in West End history at that time.
Tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar (Wednesday, September 1 to Saturday, September 11 2027) go on sale to Mayflower members from June 23, 2026 and on general sale from July 2, 2026. Click here for more.
To buy tickets for the London Palladium shows click here, and to buy tickets for Drury Lane click here.