EXCLUSIVE: Paul Nicholas Talks About The Search For JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR!

As Andrew Lloyd Webber's search for a SUPERSTAR hots up, Paul Nicholas, who played the role in the original London cast, couldn't be happier about the imminent TV series.

"It's great for the show that they're doing the search," he declares.

And what's more, he thinks it's great for the actors.

"I'm all for those shows. I think they give unknown artists an opportunity, they're great for promotion of the show. I think they're a win-win for everybody, particularly if the public enjoy them," he says.

There's a level of snobbery about reality TV searches from time to time, with critics suggesting that the performers haven't "paid their dues", but Nicholas thinks that's unfair.

"An audition is an audition is an audition," he says. 

He's also pleased that it's set to be played in an arena.

"I think that's probably where it should be done, because it is, of all their shows, the most rock-orientated score, and it should work very well in that kind of big, rock environment. That's how they originally wrote it. It was written as an album first, with Ian Gillan from Deep Purple singing, which was perfect. It needs to be done like that."

Nicholas is currently producing and directing A Tale Of Two Cities, which opens at the Charing Cross Theatre next week - does he ever secretly long to return to musical theatre on stage?

"I did consider calling Andrew and saying, 'It's never too late, son,'" he jokes. "But I decided against it."

Paul Nicholas is producing and directing A Tale Of Two Cities, which begins its run at the Charing Cross Theatre on Thursday April 5.

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