Chris Moyles News

He shot to fame after winning the ITV show 'Superstar' which led him to front the UK arena tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock musical - and now Ben Forster is back and joining forces with musical theatre's greatest partnership once again.

Filmed as an arena rock opera, the production boasts a star-studded line-up which includes award-winning musical comedian Tim Minchin in the role of Judas Iscariot; pop icon and former Spice Girl Melanie C as Mary Magdalene; DJ Chris Moyles in his stage debut as King Herod; and Ben Forster, winner of primetime TV talent search Superstar, taking on the title role of Jesus.

Gary Naylor sees a show pushed just a bit too far.

Ben Forster and Mel C meet up with their new co-stars Andrew O'Keeffe (Herod) and Jon Stevens (Pilate) prior to the Australian tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Tim Minchin said he was 'humiliated' after learning his voice had been Auto-Tuned for the DVD of Andrew Lloyd Webber's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR UK arena tour, in which he played the role of 'Judas'.

The Really Useful Group and AEG Live today announced the return of the hugely successful UK arena tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary rock classic Jesus Christ Superstar.

Although most people are familiar with the name Paul Rudd here in America, his British namesake is building quite a reputation in another industry as a leading player in the European dance music scene. As one of the most progressive dance music DJ's currently in the UK house circuit, London's Paul Rudd has wowed club-goers across Europe and the world with live performances at various high profile clubs and top dance music events, including DJ'ing with the internationally renowned label and music brand Hed Kandi in Ibiza.

Following a triumphant opening weekend at London's 02 Arena, the 21st century re-invention of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" will be broadcast to select U.S. cinemas nationwide today, Oct. 29 and again on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. local time.

In this interview, Ben Foster talks about playing the title role of Jesus, performing in arenas, his first experiences with the musical, the challenge of singing songs like 'Gethsemane', the audition process, the rest of the cast - and more!

Here, Chris Moyles talks about the role of King Herod, what made him want to do the production, whether or not he had singing lessons, his appearances on the UK edition of THE X FACTOR, acting, and of course his red suit.

Tim Minchin talks here about how Andrew Lloyd Webber and he met (because of his musical MATILDA), why and how he wanted to take on this role and the challenge of performing someone else's material!

Here, Alexander Hanson talks playing Pontius Pilate, seeing the original production, his theatre background, Mel C and the show's filming!

Here, Andrew Lloyd Webber talks about how he's always intended the show to play arenas (and why it's taken 40 years), his new views on filming shows, the cast, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert and more!

Here, Melanie C, who plays Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar talks about how she's gone from Spice Girl to rock singer to theatre, how she's taking on the part, the cast and the show's enduring success!

Celebrating 40 years since it first opened in London's West End, the Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour opened 21 September, 2012, at the O2 Arena in London and went on to visit Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool and Nottingham. The tour culminates in Sheffield tomorrow, 21 October. Let's see what the critics had to say throughout the tour!

On Twitter Watch, Emma Bunton wrote 'I am so unbelievably proud of my gorgeous friend @MelanieCmusic she was fantastic!!! @OfficialMelB: @EmmaBunton @melaniecmusic me too wish I was there with you" Missed you! Following a triumphant opening weekend at London's 02 Arena, the 21st century re-invention of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" will be broadcast to select U.S. cinemas nationwide on Monday, Oct. 29 and again on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. local time. Presented by NCM Fathom Events, Omniverse Vision and The Broadway League, "Jesus Christ Superstar UK Rock Spectacular" was pre-recorded by Universal Pictures on Oct. 4 and tonight at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England. The event features a star-studded line-up which includes award-winning musical comedian Tim Minchin - also the co-writer of West End smash musical "Matilda" - in the role of 'Judas Iscariot;' pop icon and former Spice Girl Melanie C as 'Mary Magdalene;' radio DJ Chris Moyles in his stage debut as 'King Herod;' and the winner of the UK's primetime ITV show "Superstar," Ben Forster, who was chosen by the British public to take on the title role of 'Jesus and Alexander Hanson as "Pontius Pilate" who was recently seen on Broadway in A Little Night Music. "Jesus Christ Superstar UK Rock Spectacular" will include a special historical retrospective, as well as interviews with cast members past and present. "Jesus Christ Superstar UK Rock Spectacular" tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change). The event will be broadcast to more than 575 select movie theaters across the country through NCM's exclusive Digital Broadcast Network. 'I have waited 42 years for 'Jesus Christ Superstar' to play arenas in the UK, and it is great to finally see the show as it was originally intended, as an arena rock opera," said Lloyd Webber. "I'm thrilled that Universal will be filming the new arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar for DVD and cinema release, which allows us to capture this amazing production and share it with the world!" "Jesus Christ Superstar" is a worldwide phenomenon, portraying the story of the last seven days of Christ leading up to his crucifixion as seen through the eyes of 'Judas Iscariot,' and featuring hit songs such as "Superstar," "I Don't Know How To Love Him," "Heaven On Their Minds" and "Hosanna." Over 40 different cast recordings have been released in 19 different languages. The first production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" was a U.S. arena tour in 1971. It then debuted on Broadway, and in 1972, UK fans finally got their chance to see this landmark show when it arrived at London's Palace Theatre - its run of eight years and over 3,000 performances smashed all box office records. Since then, "Jesus Christ Superstar" has rarely left the stage, with professional productions in 42 countries around the world and with around 300 amateur productions officially licensed each year. "Fans have enjoyed this amazing musical for 40 years, but the 'Jesus Christ Superstar UK Spectacular' event promises to put a whole new spin on a time-honored classic," said Shelly Maxwell, executive vice president of NCM Fathom Events. "Movie theaters will be turned into concert arenas as this spectacular event rocks fans nationwide." Universal Pictures filmed two nights of the 21-date arena tour, the first ever in the UK, for worldwide broadcasts to cinemas as well as DVD and Blu-ray release in early 2013 internationally, with the exception of the UK which will release in time for Christmas on November 19, 2012. '

Not to be confused with an American actor of the same name, the British version of Paul Rudd is the one who gets the party going. Known throughout the UK house circuit as one of the most progressive dance music DJs, London's Paul Rudd has wowed club-goers across Europe and the world with live performances at various high profile clubs and top dance music events, including DJ'ing with the internationally renowned label and music brand Hed Kandi in Ibiza. Rudd's latest single is "Out Of My Mind," which has already received accolades in the UK, with The Wideboys and Dave Pearce of BBC Radio giving high marks. Click below to listen to the single!

The 21st century re-invention of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar will be broadcast to select U.S. cinemas nationwide on Monday, Oct. 29 and again on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 PM local time.

Following a triumphant opening weekend at London's 02 Arena, the 21st century re-invention of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" will be broadcast to select U.S. cinemas nationwide on Monday, Oct. 29 and again on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. local time.