Omnibus – JC, why have you forsaken us?

AN EXTRAORDINARY experience was had by us, and several thousand others, on a recent Saturday night in the O2 Theatre, Dublin when we attended Jesus Christ Superstar (JCS). Imagine the vastness of the Point which holds just under 10,000 people seated; imagine the hugeness of the stage, then see yourself sitting in expectation of what you already know about JCS and out of the blue you are blasted visually and auditorially with what appeared to be 'What it said in the News' on an enormous screen the full width of the stage ... and now you have an idea of how we were shocked by the opening massive video images of Anti-Globalisation marches, demonstrations world-wide against austerity, horrific images of poverty and homelessness, and finally the Occupy Movement with their deliberately untidy and shanty town image of tents and wooden huts (remember the international protest movement which occupied spaces outside banks and demanded a fairer society?). The JCS set is reminiscent of the Occupy Movement and varies between a flat stage and a stairway which went from wall to wall and ascended away from the audience. This stairway contained a number of surprises including one step which when lifted exposed a fire while the middle of the stage could be moved out of view to create a space for different activities. Jesus' disciples (Occupiers) set up their tents in a banking area and a big banner said 'Follow the Twelve'. Live music was provided by musicians on scaffolding on both sides of the stage. JCS is a story about a hero and anti-hero and for different reasons both were stellar performances. Tim Minchin as Judas Iscariot took the laurels for his portrayal of the internal torment of a man who betrayed his friend for what he felt were good reasons. His piercing blue eyes and angst-ridden face told a big story. I have rarely seen such a performance and by the end of the night, we have as much sympathy for Judas who is hanging from a tree as we have for Jesus. The first half is not easy for the actor playing Jesus Christ in his part as a preacher and peace activist. Compared to Judas it's a lacklustre role, and Ben Forster did his best. However, the last quarter saw a strong and dramatic performance climaxing when Jesus was nailed to a lit-up metal cross â€â€ this is no ordinary production. Like everything else in this extraordinary show, Mary Magdalene's appearance was unexpected: dread-locks, Doc Martins, several tattoos and a nose-ring, Mel C gave a wonderful portrayal of a woman in love with a man she could not reach. We had so looked forward to her rendition of 'I don't know how to love him' and unfortunately a poor woman in our row collapsed and we had to swing into action and help out. We missed the amazing song but hope the woman has recovered. Set in two acts, JCS tells the story of Jesus' final days: his entry into Jerusalem, his growing popularity as an agent provocateur (where are you now Jesus when we need you â€â€ one in ten people living in Ireland is going to bed hungry every night?), his relationship with Mary Magdalene, his betrayal by Judas, the trial and crucifixion, but most revealingly his deep and meaningful relationship with the Occupiers! That made us sit up. JCS is strewn with anachronisms and 21st century sensibilities. Examples include the captive Jesus appearing in a Guantanamo Bay orange boiler-suit with a bag over this head â€â€ a powerful juxtaposition of historic and modern-day torture. The activities of the disciples are being monitored by the Pharisees on YouTube as they discuss how to quash this threat. Plus ça change! As Jesus is dying on the cross, blood red petals are rained on the stage â€â€ this was a coup de theatre. Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest version of JCS is a social commentary. It is about the global corporatisation of society, growing unemployment, homelessness, the arrogance and wealth of the ruler classes, the helplessness and hopelessness of others. Based on this interpretation of JCS the questions to be asked are â€â€ what would Jesus be doing if he lived in the Ireland of today when our social services are being whittled down so we can pay the debts of European bankers? Let us hazard a few guesses. Jesus would be on every march organised against austerity. He would have socialised with the people of the Occupy Movement and would regularly visit dole queues and speak to the people about the need for social reform. Jesus would be on social media spreading the Good Word via Twitter and Facebook (an interesting project for some post-primary school would be to design a Jesus Facebook). Jesus would do something like chain himself to the railings of Leinster House and demand social reform. Jesus, where are you when we need you â€â€ every day people are having their electricity cut off when the weather is getting colder and Christmas is approaching? This is a dark show. Its totality creates an apocalyptic atmosphere. It portrays a society which has lost all its certainties, a people who are leaderless and fodderless. It is a show which is putting it up to us as we continue to live mutely in a daily increasingly unequal society. In contrast with other passion plays, JCS does not have a resurrection. The last scene is preceded by Jesus hanging on the cross without the two thieves and without the two Marys or apostles at the foot of the cross. 'WHERE ARE YOU MOTHER?' is bellowed out by the dying and desperate Jesus the length and breadth of the theatre â€â€ it would tear its way into any soul. The last scene shows the â€ËœOccupiers' come back on stage but this time without their Jesus. What is the message to us? That we have no leaders whom we can trust? That we need to examine our conscience (as we might have said in the days of yore) and ask ourselves what are we doing about the unfairness of what is going on? That as our elected representatives appear to put the need and greed of the corporate world ahead of our hospitals, schools, roads, social services, our young people, our old people, our vulnerable, we need to develop an inner resolve to create a new political structure? Where do we start? How about by joining the Campaign Against the Household Taxes? If that does not speak to you, there are so many other groups opposing what is going on â€â€ join one! But we could start by getting out onto the streets and marching. There is a pre-budget march planned for November 24 when we should descend on Leinster House from the four corners of Ireland. This is an intentionally anachronistic play and may have been redesigned to provoke the question â€â€ what would Jesus do if he lived today? Finally, let us keep in mind a quotation from an American Founding Father, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States Thomas Jefferson: 'when injustice becomes law resistance becomes duty'. â€â€ Mary Ryan