Sam Ryder will bring Jesus Christ Superstar to Plymouth as major UK tour opens at Theatre Royal Plymouth

A global musical phenomenon. A Eurovision superstar. One of the most famous rock scores ever written. And in 2027, it all begins in Plymouth.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar will open its major UK tour at Theatre Royal Plymouth, running from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 14 August 2027, with Sam Ryder taking on the iconic role of Jesus.

For Plymouth audiences, this is big. Not just because one of musical theatre’s most legendary titles is coming to the city, but because Theatre Royal Plymouth will be the first stop on the national tour following the production’s major West End engagements at The London Palladium and Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

That means Plymouth will be among the very first places outside London to experience Sam Ryder’s take on one of theatre’s most demanding and electrifying roles.

Best known for his sky-scraping vocals, huge stage presence and unforgettable Eurovision performance of Space Man, Sam Ryder brings a very modern kind of rock-star energy to a musical that has always lived somewhere between theatre, concert and cultural event.

Jesus Christ Superstar is not a traditional musical. It began life as a concept album before becoming a stage phenomenon, and its roots in rock music are still what make it feel so powerful. This is a story told through sound, emotion and tension, with a score that includes I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane and the explosive title number Superstar.

The musical follows the final days of Jesus Christ, seen through the eyes of Judas. It is a story of devotion, betrayal, power, fame and human fragility, told with the force of a live rock gig.

The production coming to Plymouth reunites the creative team behind the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre staging, which won the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. Directed by Tim Sheader, with choreography by Olivier Award-winner Drew McOnie and design by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Tom Scutt, this version has been celebrated for stripping the show back to its raw, emotional and physical power.

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 London Palladium and Theatre Royal Drury Lane.”

Since it first arrived, Jesus Christ Superstar has become one of the most talked-about musicals in the world. Originally released as an album, it opened on Broadway in 1971 and the original London production went on to run for more than 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.

More than five decades later, it still feels daring. The music still hits hard. The questions it asks about celebrity, belief, loyalty and sacrifice still feel strangely current.

For Plymouth, this is another reminder of the scale of work arriving at Theatre Royal Plymouth. As the largest regional producing theatre in the UK, TRP continues to bring major national and international productions to the South West, giving local audiences the chance to see shows that would otherwise require a trip to London.

And this time, London comes to Plymouth first.

Jesus Christ Superstar will be at Theatre Royal Plymouth from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 14 August 2027.

Tickets go on sale soon via Theatre Royal Plymouth.