Former Canterbury busker to star in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Marlowe Theatre

A former high street busker is returning to Kent - but now he’s performing in a huge nationwide theatre tour.

Joshua Hawkins, who used to perform as a solo musician on the streets of Canterbury, will now be starring as Peter in the touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar, which is coming to the Marlowe Theatre.

The touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar is coming to Canterbury. Picture: Supplied by the Marlowe Theatre

The current adaptation was first staged as an open-air production in Regent’s Park and won an Olivier Award in 2017 for Best Musical Revival before heading out on a tour of the country.

The cast, which has been visiting theatres all over the UK since the spring, also includes West End performers Ian McIntosh (We Will Rock You) and Shem Omari James (Dreamgirls).

The revival is based upon the original 1970s musical written by award-winning composers and lyricists Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

The show was created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice and won Best Musical Revival in 2017. Picture: Supplied by the Marlowe Theatre

After original pitching the show in the 1960s and receiving multiple rejections, the pair turned their music into a rock ‘n’ roll concept album.

The album was showered with critical acclaim and helped the musical theatre giants bring their ideas to the stage, with Jesus Christ Superstar making its Broadway debut in 1971 and opening at the Palace Theatre in London the following year.

Its score features numbers such as I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane, Superstar and Everything’s Alright.

The show will be at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury from Monday, June 17 to Saturday, June 22. You can book tickets online here.

You can also book tickets by calling 01227 787787.