Review: GODSPELL at Skandiascenen Cirkus

Godspell by John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz. and was played for the first time in 1971. It's from the same era as Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, and to some extend it is mix of both of them.

Earlier this year, this modern version of Godspell was played at Malmö Opera and is now playing for two weeks in Stockholm, at the Skandia stage. This modern version still has the clothes in hippie style but has a lot of references to the present time. Mobile phones are used to spread the messages, references to Bond and Swedish TV shows among other things makes it feels very contemporary and works very well.

The ensemble is very young and main part of the actors are in the early stage of their carrer.

This young ensemble creates a wonderful energy on stage and it seems The energy spreads to the audience who clap along in several of fhe songs. Several of these young artists will for sure take part in other musicals in the future. Jesus is played with great intensity by Jonathan Tufvesson Larsson and John the Baptist by Andreas Gyllander. One of my favorite songs in the musical is, "Its for the best" where Jesus and John the Baptist perform a classical musical style duet in evening dress with hats and sticks (large polka dot sticks) and some lovely traditional musical dance. In that song, the rest of the ensemble / orchestra was dressed in various Christmas ornaments in a crazy way, but it really works in this show. In another show I would most likely have found it disturbing, but here it works very well. Maria Gyllenhoff customs are sometime quite funny and has been created with a low budget but with high innovations and she has succeeded in doing so.

As a musical Godspell does not have the same strong story as in Jesus Christ Superstar. It is more a string of short stories from Jesus life and doings, and it is not until the end when they have the last supper that it becomes more of a strong story which touches the audience.

The guest play on Skandia stage is until March 25th and it is a good way to be reminded why we celebrate Easter as Eastern is coming up in a few weeks. The life and deeds of Jesus is presented in a very different way than we are used to. And it will give you some smiles on the way and a few good songs too, performed by some very talented young actors.

Jesus Jonathan Tufvesson Larsson
John the Baptist Andreas Gyllander
Christopher Christopher Ek bas
Efraim Efraim Törnfeldt guitar
Emmie Emmie Asplund
Fredrik Fredrik Vahlgren
Joel Joel Mauricio Isabel Ortiz
Kajsa Kajsa Borg
Linda Linda Pritchard
?Mathilda Mathilda Fritzell guitar
Nicklas Nicklas Thelin cover guitar
Per Per Svenner drums
Stina Stina Nordberg
Thomas Thomas Bay piano
Swing Melker Sörensen

PRODUCTION TEAM

Translation: Sven Hugo Persson
Scenografi: Frida Arvidsson
Costums: Maria Gyllenhoff
Lighting: Mikael Kratt
Director & choreography: Roine Söderlundh
Conductor: Thomas Bay

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