Last week St George’s College played host to three captivating nights of music, theatre and a story that has resonated with audiences around the world for generations. Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by Kundisai Mtero, brought the acclaimed musical to the College in a production that blended Afro-centric and Euro-centric influences into a distinctive interpretation of the classic.
Originally created by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar has become a global theatrical phenomenon since its beginnings in the early 1970s. The story follows the final seven days of Jesus Christ’s life, exploring the events surrounding his final days through the eyes and struggles of those closest to him, particularly Judas. Its enduring score and themes have allowed the production to continually find new audiences across generations.
Kundisai Mtero’s adaptation brought together different cultural influences, creating a production that felt both rooted in its classical origins and distinctly at home in Zimbabwe.
Adding another layer to the production was its setting as it was performed in front of the magnificent SGC Castle, the musical settled naturally into its surroundings. The historic architecture provided a striking backdrop to a story that has itself endured for centuries, creating a timeless atmosphere.
For St George’s, the significance of the three nights went beyond the production itself as the College is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year, marking another milestone in the long history of an institution founded in 1896 and now recognised as one of the world’s leading independent Jesuit schools. Click here to watch Kundisai Mtero speak about the production, her vision and what Jesus Christ Superstar meant to her on the School’s Instagram page.