NEWS: SAM RYDER TO STAR IN JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM SUMMER 2026

Name: Jesus Christ Superstar – London Palladium
Start: 2026-06-20
End: 2026-09-05
Location: London Palladium

Sarah Monaghan
3 hours ago
2 min read

Two gold angel-like figures on a dark textured background. Text: "JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR," "Lyrics by Tim Rice," "Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber," "The London Palladium."

Jesus Christ Superstar to Rock The London Palladium in 2026

Palladium audiences are in for a heavenly treat this summer! Jesus Christ Superstar, the legendary rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, will be staged at The London Palladium for a limited 11-week season from 20 June to 5 September 2026.

The show, which features iconic numbers like Gethsemane, Heaven on Their Minds, and I Don’t Know How To Love Him, explores the final weeks of Jesus’s life, highlighting his relationship with Judas Iscariot and the political and emotional tensions surrounding his crucifixion.

West End Return and Creative Team

This London Palladium production reunites the acclaimed creative team behind the 2016 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production. Tim Sheader directs, with Drew McOnie choreographing and Tom Scutt on design. The team previously won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and the 2016 Evening Standard Award for Best Musical.

Joining them are musical supervisor Tom Deering, lighting designer Lee Curran, sound designer Adam Fisher, fight director Kate Waters, and BAFTA-winning casting director David Grindrod CDG.

A bearded man with long hair stands in a mountainous desert setting. He gazes into the distance, creating a contemplative mood.

Sam Ryder to Star as Jesus

BRIT and Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Sam Ryder will make his West End debut in the title role. Sam expressed his excitement:

"I’m so excited to be part of one of the biggest institutions in musical theatre the world’s ever known, at The London Palladium in the West End! I'm honoured to take on this responsibility as I follow in the footsteps of rock vocal titans like Ian Gillan and John Farnham. I can't wait to immerse myself in the world of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2026."

Producer Michael Harrison added:

"It is thrilling to bring this astounding creative team back together and to see them create Jesus Christ Superstar specially for The London Palladium. In Sam we have a true superstar to play the iconic title role."

Tickets and Booking Information

Tickets go on presale from 25 November 2025 at 10am and general sale from 26 November 2025 at 10am. The production promises to be a landmark event for musical theatre fans and is expected to sell out quickly.

For tickets and further details, visit the official website

Photo credit: Jack Robinson