Glenn Close to Play Herod in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Final Week in London

Glenn Close will perform the role of Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar for the final week of the record-breaking season at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

The production, starring Sam Ryder as Jesus, played a sell-out summer season at The London Palladium and extended its West End run for 12 weeks at Theatre Royal Drury Lane from Friday 16 October 2026 to Saturday 9 January 2027, ahead of a UK tour from February to October 2027. 

Glenn Close is a three-time Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award-winning actor, whose memorable screen roles include Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction, Marquise de Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons, Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians, and Patty Hewes in Damages.

An acclaimed stage performer, she made her Broadway debut in Love for Love and earned Tony Awards for The Real Thing, Death and the Maiden, and Sunset Boulevard, in which she famously played Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s celebrated musical.

She will perform in the role of Herod from Monday 4 – Saturday 9 January 2027.

Producer Michael Harrison commented, “I am thrilled that we will welcome such an esteemed actor as Glenn Close in the final week that audiences will have to experience Tim Sheader’s spectacular production in London. After a run of magnificent Herods, I am certain Glenn will bring the season at Theatre Royal Drury Lane to a triumphant close, following our London Palladium run where there wasn’t a single empty seat or standing place in the house.”

Director Tim Sheader added, “Wow, what a blast to have Glenn Close Superstar in the house for our final week in London. I can’t wait for her artistry and imagination to meet the show.”

The full cast for Theatre Royal Drury Lane are Sam Ryder as Jesus, Tyrone Huntley* as Judas Iscariot; Desmonda Cathabel as Mary Magdalene; David Thaxton as Pontius Pilate; nine performers sharing the role of King Herod: Matt Bomer (16 – 31 October); Rob Brydon (2 – 7 November); Reece Shearsmith (9 – 14 November); Bob The Drag Queen (16 – 21 November); Michael Ball (23 November – 5 December); Simon Russell Beale (7 – 12 December); Omid Djalili (14 – 19 December); Layton Williams (21 December 2026 – 2 January 2027) and concluding the season, Glenn Close (4 to 9 January 2027). Bob Harms plays Caiaphas; Matty J* plays Annas/Alternate Judas, Phil King plays Peter, Eric Lewis plays Simon and Matthew Harvey is Standby Jesus.

The company is completed by: Koko Alexandra, Jasmine Jules Andrews, Courtney Arango, Amy Barker, Alistair Beattie, Daniel Bowskill, Jahlil M Burke, Martha Burton, Marcelo Cervone, Sarah Freer, Sebastian Goffin, Alexander Kranz, Owen Lloyd, Milo McCarthy, Dan Moore, Cherece Richards, Kyle Richardson, Olivia Saunders, Toyan Thomas-Browne, Charley Warburton and Lillie-Pearl Wildman.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic global phenomenon is directed by Tim Sheader with choreography by Olivier Award-winner Drew McOnie and design by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Tom Scutt. Reuniting the creative team of the 2016 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production 10 years on to create a unique staging of their Olivier award-winning, worldwide smash-hit production.

Following the conclusion of these London engagements Jesus Christ Superstar starring Sam Ryder, will tour the UK from 11 February 2027. Further casting for the tour is to be announced. 

Jesus Christ Superstar follows the events of the last days of the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’ and the iconic title number ‘Superstar’.

Originally released as an album, Jesus Christ Superstar opened on Broadway in 1971, at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, where it was nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Original Score. The original London production ran for over eight years. By the time it closed, after 3,358 performances, it had become the longest-running musical in West End history at that time.

Sam Ryder’s recordings of Gethsemane and What’s The Buzz? are available to listen to on all streaming platforms and purchase from Theatre Royal Drury Lane. With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the record was produced by music legend Fraser T. Smith (Adele, Raye, Dave) alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sam Ryder, recorded live to tape at British Grove Studios earlier this year.

Joining director Tim Sheader, choreographer Drew McOnie and designer Tom Scutt on the creative team are musical supervisor Tom Deering, lighting designer Lee Curran, sound designer Adam Fisher, wigs, hair and makeup designers Sam Cox & Maria Johal, fight director Kate Waters and casting directors Grindrod Burton Casting. With orchestrations by Andrew Lloyd Webber.