The Southern Echo, Monday 26 March 2001

Jesus Christ Superstar The Mayflower, April 3-21

HOW does an actor prepare for the role of Jesus? It's not like he can draw from the real-life
experiences of someone who's actually doing the job, like he could if he was playing a doctor or a
teacher, for example.

"No, I'm afraid I haven't learned to walk on water or heal lepers," admits Arvid Larson, who plays the
lead in the new touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar which comes to The Mayflower in a
couple of weeks. "But I have had to keep fit for all the beatings and lashings - there's a lot of rolling
around on stage," he says.

When it was first staged in 1972, the Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice musical caused a sensation,
as religious groups objected to it on the grounds that it was sacrilegious - largely without having seen
it.

"The thing that was so criticised when it first came out was that there was no resurrection - he died and
that was it. End of story," says Arvid. However, he points out that, although that is where the play ends,
there was never any intention to imply that a resurrection did not took place. "The play does not take a
stand in that way. What it does is show the human side of a man who was chosen as the Son of God."

And that, says Arvid, is the crux of the story, that Jesus was, despite his special powers or gifts - and as
the song goes - just a man. "In this show there is no walking on water or anything like that. At one
stage Jesus even says to the lepers `heal yourself', which some people were offended by. They said
`Jesus would never say that'."

But, in these days of declining Christian worship, can a production like this still capture the attention
and imagination of theatre-going audiences?

"Jesus Christ Superstar is for both religious and non-religious people, because it is a story about a
very special man who was flesh and blood and had to go through pain and torment as well as endure
the demands made on him," says Arvid.

"Also it's great fun and there are some fantastic songs and lots of drama.. It has been updated - not the
script, but the way it is delivered. Instead of the peace, love and flares of the Seventies production, we
all wear modern clothing like combats. Also there is a huge screen and cameras relaying strong
images. It's very `in your face.