Jesus Christ Superstar opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Friday 16 October and runs to 9 January 2027, with Sam Ryder as Jesus in his West End debut. The part most people actually search for, though, is King Herod, because nine different actors are sharing it, one for roughly a week each.
Who is King Herod when
The theatre has published the rota. Matt Bomer plays Herod from 16 to 31 October, then Rob Brydon from 2 to 7 November and Reece Shearsmith from 9 to 14 November. Bob the Drag Queen follows from 16 to 21 November, Michael Ball from 23 November to 5 December and Simon Russell Beale from 7 to 12 December. Omid Djalili has 14 to 19 December, Layton Williams 21 December to 2 January, and Glenn Close finishes the run from 4 to 9 January.
The producers add the usual caveat that they can’t guarantee any particular performer on any given night. If a specific Herod is the reason you’re going, book inside their week and expect to take the risk of an illness or an injury.
Where it’s come from
This is the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production, directed by Tim Sheader with choreography by Drew McOnie and design by Tom Scutt. It played at the London Palladium over the summer, finishing in September, and moved to Drury Lane because of what the theatre calls record-breaking demand. If you booked for the Palladium run and see that page still showing, ignore it: that season is over and the show is now at Drury Lane.
What it costs and who it’s for
Tickets start from £25 with no booking fees when you buy direct from LW Theatres, and every ticket price includes a £1.70 restoration levy. Performances are Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm with matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm. The running time hadn’t been confirmed when we looked; at the Palladium it ran two hours including a 20-minute interval.
The recommended age is 10 and over. Children under 4 aren’t admitted, anyone aged 15 or under must be with an adult over 18 and can’t sit on their own in the auditorium, and everyone, whatever their age, needs their own ticket. The content warnings cover flashing lights and visual effects, pyrotechnics, theatrical smoke and haze, some violence, imitation blood and an onstage depiction of the crucifixion.
The VIP packages are priced on top of the seat: a Ticket Plus package is £35 a head, a Private Box Experience £65, a Gold Experience £80 and a Platinum Experience £140. The theatre says step-free access is available for those. Note that the boxes themselves aren’t step-free at this theatre, which we found when we looked at the last show here.
Drury Lane has a lift to every level
That sets it apart from most West End houses, and it matters here because the climb is serious. The theatre publishes the steps: 39 to the rear of the Royal Circle, 66 to the Grand Circle from ground level, and 112 up to the Balcony. A passenger lift serves all four levels, taking you to row K of the Royal Circle, row E of the Grand Circle (low numbers side) and row B at the front of the Balcony, and there are non-transferable wheelchair spaces on every level except the Balcony.
The step-free entrance is on Russell Street. In the Stalls, ramps from the foyer lead to the sides of row M, and any inside aisle seat suits someone who wants to transfer. Accessible toilets are on three of the four levels, leading off row M in the Stalls, row K in the Royal Circle and row E in the Grand Circle. The Gift Shop and Cecil Beaton Bar are reached from the step-free entrance, the Grand Saloon Bar and Ivor Novello Terrace by the Royal Circle lift, but the Rotunda champagne bar is up two steps from the foyer.
Assistance dogs are welcome and staff will look after yours for the show. If you need to bring medication or food for a medical reason, ask for a manager before you go through security. An infra-red audio system, headsets and hearing loops are available from front of house staff on arrival, so mention it when you book to be seated somewhere it works. The cloakroom is £3 for clothing and £5 for a bag or suitcase. Strobe and flashing lights are regularly used here, and the stage door number for any questions is 020 3925 2910.
Getting there
Theatre Royal Drury Lane is on Catherine Street in Covent Garden, London WC2B 5JF. It’s open daily as a destination in its own right, with afternoon tea in the Grand Saloon, so you can make an afternoon of it before the show.
Jesus Christ Superstar
- Address
- Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5JF
- Nearest
- Covent Garden, Holborn and Temple, with the step-free entrance on Russell Street
- Hours
- Friday 16 October 2026 to Saturday 9 January 2027. Monday to Saturday 7.30pm with matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm. Running time to be confirmed; two hours including an interval at the Palladium
- Booking
- Direct from LW Theatres. The producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular performer
- Price
- From 25 pounds with no fees when booked direct, every ticket including a 1.70 pound restoration levy. VIP packages from 35 pounds a head on top of the seat
- Standing
- The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera, starring Sam Ryder as Jesus and directed by Tim Sheader, transferring from a summer season at the London Palladium
How to get in
Recommended for ages 10 and over. Under-4s are not admitted and anyone aged 15 or under must be with an adult over 18 and cannot sit on their own. Content warnings include flashing lights, pyrotechnics, haze, some violence, imitation blood and an onstage depiction of the crucifixion. A passenger lift serves all four levels, though the Royal Circle is 39 steps, the Grand Circle 66 and the Balcony 112 without it, and the boxes are not step-free.
Where to go next
Hercules covers the previous show here and the theatre itself, and cheap theatre tickets covers the lotteries and day seats.
The London Palladium publishes its own step counts, and the best West End shows covers what else is on.
Questions we get asked
Who plays King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at Drury Lane?
Nine actors share the role in turn: Matt Bomer (16 to 31 October), Rob Brydon (2 to 7 November), Reece Shearsmith (9 to 14 November), Bob the Drag Queen (16 to 21 November), Michael Ball (23 November to 5 December), Simon Russell Beale (7 to 12 December), Omid Djalili (14 to 19 December), Layton Williams (21 December to 2 January) and Glenn Close (4 to 9 January). The producers cannot guarantee any particular performer on a given night.
When does Jesus Christ Superstar run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane?
From Friday 16 October 2026 to Saturday 9 January 2027, after a summer season at the London Palladium that has finished. Performances are Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm with Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.
How much are Jesus Christ Superstar tickets at Drury Lane?
From £25 with no booking fees when you buy direct from LW Theatres, and each price includes a £1.70 restoration levy. VIP packages cost extra on top of the seat, at £35, £65, £80 or £140 a head depending on the package.
Is Jesus Christ Superstar suitable for children?
The recommended age is 10 and over. Children under 4 are not admitted, anyone aged 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult over 18 and may not sit on their own, and everyone needs their own ticket. The content warnings include an onstage depiction of the crucifixion, pyrotechnics, imitation blood and some violence.
Does Theatre Royal Drury Lane have a lift to every level?
Yes, a passenger lift serves all four levels, with step-free access from the Russell Street entrance. Without it the Royal Circle is 39 steps to the rear, the Grand Circle 66 steps from ground level and the Balcony 112. Non-transferable wheelchair spaces are available on every level except the Balcony, and the boxes are not step-free.
Written by Robert J Wills, no. 412 in the guide.
Last checked 10 October 2026 against the venues' own published information. Nobody pays to appear here and we take no bookings.
