Rock opera featuring non-binary Christ and female Judas staged in Edinburgh

New version of the rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar." Photo: streamove.com

In the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh, a production of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar was staged, with the main role of Jesus Christ played by non-binary actress Rosa Stevenson, and Judas portrayed by a woman, Daily Mail reports.

The new version of the rock opera was performed by students of the University of Edinburgh.

The roles of the 12 apostles were played by women and non-binary actors.

The show's creative director, Lew Forman, stated that a "gender-blind casting" approach was used for the project, which allowed the story of Jesus to be reimagined and presented to a modern audience.

Forman said that the performance turned out to be controversial but did not provoke any protests from religious people.

"The group has taken a well-known story and made it something new and special. Being a non-binary actor is a strange line to walk. Being able to audition for a show where my gender presentation didn't make a difference broke down barriers," Stevenson noted.

Director Izzy Ponsford stated that the team managed to create an epic show, "fore-fronting the emotions of the story while still enjoying the show to its absolute fullest." In his opinion, the creators and actors succeeded in achieving a "careful modernization of this piece."

Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, first staged on Broadway in 1971. In 1973, Canadian director Norman Jewison adapted the musical into a film, which was nominated for an Oscar.

As previously reported, Scotland passed a bill simplifying gender transition.

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