Sunday 15 November 2026
Eurovision star Sam Ryder is currently starring as Jesus in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where the show runs until Saturday 9 January 2027. His powerful version of the show’s big solo, ‘Gethsemane’, has become one of the musical theatre moments of the year. Watch it below, then read on for five things to know about Sam and the show.
1. From Eurovision to the West End
Sam Ryder became a household name in 2022 when he came second for the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest, the country’s best result since 1998. Since then he has had a gold-selling debut album, There’s Nothing But Space, Man!, released a second album, Heartland, in 2025, and played his biggest headline show to date at London’s OVO Arena Wembley. Jesus Christ Superstar marks his West End debut, and he has spoken about the weight of the role: “I’m honoured to take on this responsibility as I follow in the footsteps of rock vocal titans like Ian Gillan and John Farnham.”
2. ‘Gethsemane’ – the Song Everyone Is Talking About
‘Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)’ is the show’s most demanding number, as Jesus wrestles with his fate the night before his arrest, and it ends with some famously huge high notes. Sam first sang it in public at The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals at the AO Arena in Manchester, then performed it live on Britain’s Got Talent in May 2026, when his studio recording was released on all streaming platforms the same evening. He also surprised the audience at The Other Songs Live event at the London Palladium by singing it with Andrew Lloyd Webber himself on piano.
3. An Olivier Award-Winning Production
This is Tim Sheader’s Olivier Award-winning production, which began life at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and has also played the Barbican. It has choreography by Drew McOnie and design by Tom Scutt, with a rock-concert feel that suits the score. Tyrone Huntley plays Judas, through whose eyes the story of Jesus’s final days is told. The score is packed with classics including ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’ and the iconic title song ‘Superstar’. It is recommended for ages 10 and over, and runs at around two hours.
4. Now Playing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
The production opened this summer at the London Palladium for an 11-week season, which ran from 20 June to 5 September 2026, with a parade of star names sharing the role of King Herod. It has since transferred to the historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Covent Garden for a strictly limited 12-week season, which began on Friday 16 October 2026 and runs until Saturday 9 January 2027. That makes it a great choice for a Christmas or New Year theatre trip, and it’s well worth booking soon if you want to catch Sam in the West End before the run ends.
5. A Big UK Tour in 2027 – Including Woking
If you can’t get to London, Sam Ryder will take the role of Jesus around the country on a major UK tour in 2027. It opens at the Palace Theatre in Manchester from Thursday 11 to Saturday 27 February 2027 and goes on to visit venues including Newcastle’s Theatre Royal, New Theatre Oxford, Norwich Theatre Royal, Nottingham’s Theatre Royal, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Glasgow’s King’s Theatre and Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre. Closer to home for many of our readers, it comes to Woking from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 July 2027.
Tickets and info
Jesus Christ Superstar, starring Sam Ryder
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JF
Now playing until Saturday 9 January 2027
UK tour from 11 February 2027
Recommended for ages 10+
- Book at LW Theatres (official box office)
- UK tour 2027 announcement and dates
- Listen to Sam Ryder’s ‘Gethsemane’ recording
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