It’s Show Week!

 So, ‘Show Week’ is here- the lines are learned, the lights are stunning, the band is amazing and the venue is just perfect. But- what is ‘Godspell’ all about? Well, it’s a show that’s rarely performed; it’s filled with wonderful music; laughter and tears. You might say it’s got a bit of everything.

Writer, Tom Casling, took to Facebook to let people know what it’s all about.

Hi All

I just wanted to give a bit of information and background to a show opening this week in Jarrow and in doing so hopefully encourage people to consider supporting it .  Sometimes it helps to have a bit of a background if you’re thinking of going to see a show.  An apology if that sounds patronising it wasn’t meant to be.

Godspell is a musical, composed by Stephen Schwartz. It opened off Broadway on May 17, 1971.  The show is being performed, this week, by Jarrow Musical Theatre Company: 15th to 19th May 2018 at Christ Church, Jarrow, nearly 47years ago to the very date it first hit Broadway.  Not a lot of people know that. 

The show has been performed by various touring companies since then and has enjoyed many revivals, including a 2011 revival which played on Broadway from October 13, 2011, to June 24, 2012. Several cast albums have also been released over the years and one of its songs, "Day by Day" made the singles chart in the summer of 1972. (My favourite number.)  

Like most shows of its era they seem to fall in and out of favour.  In our current secular society, plays or musicals about religion are not everyone’s cup of tea, however, I defy anyone to watch this show and not to take something away from it.  Similar revivals are now happening within the amateur circuit from ‘Joseph’ to ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’.

The musical is based on a series of parables: (short allegorical stories designed to illustrate or teach some truth, principle, or moral lesson.)  Some people may be put off by musicals based on religion but my advice is go see and make up your own mind up. 

For those who are interested in religion, the various Scenes / Parables are mostly based on the Gospel of Matthew, although there are extracts the Gospel of Luke and one extract from John: the woman taken in adultery.  The parables are interspersed with a variety of modern songs and many of the themes are so relevant today.  This particular show is to be performed in a church and I’m told it has fantastic acoustics.  In its day the musical was quite controversial. I think it still is in many ways.  I’m hoping to get there myself so I might see you there!

Jarrow Musical Theatre Company: 15th to 19th May 2018 at Christ Church, Jarrow:  Tickets £10.00 ticketsource.co.uk/jarrowmusicaltheatrecompany  

Break a leg!

Thanks, Tom for this great ‘in a nutshell’ and we hope to see you at Christ Church too- feel free to sing and dance along!