Don’t expect historical backdrops. Of course, the iconic music, the libretto in the proven translation of Michael Prostějovský and the biblical story remain. But in an unbiblical setting.
“We set the story in the post-apocalyptic era,” said Lumír Olšovský, director of the production and head of the Pilsen musical ensemble.
An unidentified future after an unidentified disaster. “After it will come the decline of civilization, when everyone will want to grab their piece of power. And again, just like in biblical times, a messiah will emerge who will begin to teach us how to live,” Olšovský outlined the framework of the Pilsen performance.
Thalia winner Lumír Olšovský: When to a musical, then to Pilsen
“I can’t imagine a more relevant topic for today’s shaky world situation. I insist that this musical was written by its authors as a contemporary work, and not as some historical fresco. And they created it in a similarly volatile time like today’s,” he added.
Photo: Martin Root
Pavel Režný as Jesus, Pavel Klečka in the role of Pontius Pilate.
Jesus Christ Superstar began a triumphant tour of the world’s musical stages in 1971.
He arrived in the Czech Republic in 1994, and the Pilsen staging is the sixth in a row on domestic stages, but it is significantly different from all the previous ones in its concept.
A dream come true
Pavel Režný or Pavel Klimenda will play the title role. “My musical dream is coming true,” stated Režný.
“I’ve wanted this role for fourteen years, whenever I hear the overture I have a terrible problem not crying,” he admitted. Klimenda recalled: “The character has a number of singing and acting demanding positions. It’s hard to find inner peace. To relax and just be.’
Photo: Martin Root
Jesus played by Pavel Režný at King Herod – played by Jan Holík.
The producers also asked Pilsen bishop Tomáš Holub for consultation – according to him, Prostějovský’s translation is more in line with the Bible than the original libretto.
Prostějovský recalled: “It is said that it is the Gospel according to Judas. There is no objective truth, only a point of view.’
Judas is alternated by Dušan Kraus and Lukáš Ondruš, Mary Magdalene by Natálie Dvořáková and Charlotte Režná, Pilate by Pavel Klečka, Herod by Jan Holík, Caiaphas by Jan Fraus.
Photo: Martin Root
Final scene.
A new look
British designer Dave Benson, who has been working with the Pilsen theater for six years, designed the costumes and the industrially designed stage, which will be complemented by video projections.
“We wanted something new, something fresh that would appeal to non-theatre-goers, the younger generation,” explained Benson.
It is already clear that there will be interest – tickets for the January reruns sold out within eight minutes.
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