Eurovision star Sam Ryder will play Jesus in a new UK tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar, coming to New Theatre Oxford for five days in April 2027.
At a glance
| Show | Jesus Christ Superstar |
| Where | New Theatre Oxford, 24–26 George Street, Oxford, OX1 2AG |
| When | Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 April 2027 |
| Starring | Sam Ryder as Jesus |
| Director | Tim Sheader |
| Tickets | ATG lists tickets as going on sale on Wednesday 24 June 2026 |
| Booking | Book through ATG Tickets |
Sam Ryder will bring his performance as Jesus to Oxford when a major new UK tour of Jesus Christ Superstar arrives at New Theatre Oxford next spring.
The singer will lead the production from Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 April 2027, following engagements at the London Palladium and Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Ryder began his run in the role at the London Palladium in June 2026. The production will remain in London through the rest of the year before opening its national tour at Manchester’s Palace Theatre in February 2027.
Full casting for the touring production will be announced at a later date.
What is Jesus Christ Superstar about?
Jesus Christ Superstar follows the final days of Jesus Christ, with the story largely seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.
The sung-through rock musical explores the growing public movement surrounding Jesus, the strains placed on his relationships and the political and personal tensions leading towards his betrayal and crucifixion.
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score includes some of musical theatre’s best-known songs, including I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane, Heaven on Their Minds and the title number, Superstar.
Although rooted in a biblical story, the show uses the sound and energy of rock music to examine fame, loyalty, faith, doubt and the pressures placed on a figure whose following has grown beyond his control.
Sam Ryder takes the role of Jesus
Ryder first came to public attention on his samhairwolfryder TikTik account, with his long hair, bushy beard and fantastic singing voice. He became widely known after representing the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022 with Space Man.
He finished second in the competition and went on to reach number two in the UK singles chart. His debut album, There’s Nothing But Space, Man!, entered the UK albums chart at number one later that year.
His performance in Jesus Christ Superstar marks a move into major musical theatre, with the score’s rock vocals making the role a natural fit for a singer known for his range and powerful upper register.
Before the national tour, Ryder is playing Jesus during the production’s 2026 London seasons at the London Palladium and Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Olivier-winning production heads to Oxford
The touring show is based on the production originally created at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 2016.
Directed by Tim Sheader, with choreography by Olivier Award winner Drew McOnie and design by Tony and Olivier Award winner Tom Scutt, it won the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival in 2017.
The creative team has reunited for the latest staging, which has been expanded for its London seasons and subsequent tour.
Producer Michael Harrison said the response to the production’s first London performance had reinforced the decision to take it around the UK.
He 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.”
Who is behind the production?
Creative team
| Music | Andrew Lloyd Webber |
| Lyrics | Tim Rice |
| Director | Tim Sheader |
| Choreographer | Drew McOnie |
| Designer | Tom Scutt |
| Musical supervisor | Tom Deering |
| Lighting designer | Lee Curran |
| Sound designer | Adam Fisher |
| Fight director | Kate Waters |
| Wigs, hair and make-up | Sam Cox and Maria Johal |
| Casting | Grindrod Burton Casting |
The production is presented by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, by arrangement with LW Entertainment.
From concept album to global stage hit
Jesus Christ Superstar began as a rock opera concept album released in 1970, before opening at Broadway’s Mark Hellinger Theatre in October 1971.
The Broadway production received five Tony Award nominations, including Best Original Score.
The original London production opened at the Palace Theatre in 1972 and ran 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 point.
The show has since been staged around the world and adapted for film, television, arena tours and concert performances.
The current production first opened at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 2016, returning the show to its rock-concert roots with musicians and performers sharing a stark, highly physical staging.
When do Oxford tickets go on sale?
ATG lists tickets for the Oxford run as going on sale on Wednesday 24 June 2026.
Individual performance times, ticket prices, age guidance and accessible performance details had not been published on the Oxford booking page when checked.
Audiences should therefore check the official listing before booking, particularly if they require captioning, audio description, British Sign Language interpretation or step-free seating.
Tickets and updated performance information will be available through New Theatre Oxford’s official ATG page.
Jesus Christ Superstar 2027 UK tour dates
| Dates | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 11 to Saturday 27 February 2027 | Manchester | Palace Theatre |
| Tuesday 2 to Saturday 13 March 2027 | Cardiff | Wales Millennium Centre |
| Tuesday 16 to Saturday 27 March 2027 | Newcastle | Theatre Royal |
| Tuesday 30 March to Saturday 3 April 2027 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh Playhouse |
| Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 April 2027 | Oxford | New Theatre Oxford |
| Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 April 2027 | Norwich | Norwich Theatre Royal |
| Tuesday 27 April to Saturday 1 May 2027 | Southend | Cliffs Pavilion |
| Tuesday 11 to Saturday 15 May 2027 | Blackpool | Winter Gardens |
| Tuesday 18 May to Saturday 5 June 2027 | Birmingham | Birmingham Hippodrome |
| Tuesday 15 to Saturday 26 June 2027 | Belfast | Grand Opera House |
| Tuesday 29 June to Saturday 3 July 2027 | Bradford | Alhambra Theatre |
| Tuesday 6 to Saturday 17 July 2027 | Nottingham | Theatre Royal |
| Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 July 2027 | Woking | New Victoria Theatre |
| Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 July 2027 | Milton Keynes | Milton Keynes Theatre |
| Tuesday 3 to Saturday 14 August 2027 | Plymouth | Theatre Royal Plymouth |
| Tuesday 17 to Saturday 28 August 2027 | Glasgow | King’s Theatre |
| Wednesday 1 to Saturday 11 September 2027 | Southampton | Mayflower Theatre |
| Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 September 2027 | Sunderland | Sunderland Empire |
| Tuesday 21 September to Saturday 2 October 2027 | Liverpool | Liverpool Empire |
| Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 October 2027 | Aberdeen | His Majesty’s Theatre |
| Tuesday 12 to Saturday 16 October 2027 | Hull | Hull New Theatre |
| Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 October 2027 | Bristol | Bristol Hippodrome |
FAQs
When is Jesus Christ Superstar at New Theatre Oxford?
The musical runs at New Theatre Oxford from Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 April 2027.
Who is playing Jesus in Oxford?
Sam Ryder will play Jesus during the Oxford run and the wider 2027 UK tour.
What is Jesus Christ Superstar about?
The musical follows the final days of Jesus Christ, largely from the perspective of Judas Iscariot. It explores faith, fame, loyalty, doubt, political pressure and betrayal through a rock score.
What songs are in the musical?
The score includes I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane, Heaven on Their Minds and Superstar.
When do tickets go on sale?
ATG lists tickets as going on sale on Wednesday 24 June 2026.
Has the full cast been announced?
No. Sam Ryder has been announced as Jesus, with further casting due to be revealed later.
Where can people book tickets?
Tickets can be booked through the official New Theatre Oxford listing.
