Jesus Christ Superstar

The 1983 Davitt College Production

Davitt College Heritage Archive

Foundational Rock Opera

Relive the magic of our 1983 foundational production, Jesus Christ Superstar, staged in May 1983.

■ The Synopsis

Staged in May 1983, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s landmark rock opera focused on the final week of Christ's life. Davitt College's inaugural production translated the 1971 Broadway classic into a contemporary vision, featuring iconic anthems like Superstar and I Don’t Know How to Love Him.

■ A Historic First

Principal Joe Langan championed this project as the first-ever production of its scale undertaken by Davitt College staff and students. Co-ordinated alongside Merlin Productions, this foundational effort set the standard for decades of creative student theatre to follow.

Jesus Christ Superstar 1983 Programme Cover
1983

Inaugural Year

The debut production that started our proud musical tradition.

60+

Cast & Crew

Staff and students united to bring this rock opera to life.

1st

Production Scale

College Milestone

The first show of its magnitude ever produced by the College.

Rock

Opera Style

Andrew Lloyd Webber

Bringing the iconic rock opera to the West of Ireland in 1983.

Stage & Sound

Musical Numbers

Relive the inaugural 1983 production that defined the theatrical landscape of Davitt College.

ACT I

01 Heaven On Their Minds
02 What's The Buzz?
03 Strange Thing Mystifying
04 Then We Are Decided
05 Everything's All Right
06 This Jesus Must Die
07 Hosanna
08 Simon Zealots
09 Poor Jerusalem
10 Pilate's Dream
11 The Temple
12 I Don't Know How To Love Him

ACT II

13 Damned For All Time
14 Blood Money
15 Last Supper
16 Gethsemane
17 The Arrest
18 Pilate and Christ
19 King Herod's Song

ACT III

20 Could We Start Again Please
21 Judas' Death
22 Trial Before Pilate
23 Superstar
24 The Crucifixion
1983 Production Archive

Production Gallery

Explore highlights from our historical photo archive showcasing the cast, stage production, crew, and direction of our 1983 show.

Principal Joe Langan's Welcome
1983 Archive

Principal Joe Langan's Welcome

Male Chorus
1983 Archive

Male Chorus

Tom Hoban & Clare Cunningham
1983 Archive

Tom Hoban & Clare Cunningham

Kevin McNicholas
Production Team

Kevin McNicholas, MD

Conor Maguire
Production Team

Conor Maguire, Producer

Bertie Dowling - Caiphas
Cast Roster

Bertie Dowling - Caiphas

Pat O'Donnell - Judas
Cast Roster

Pat O'Donnell - Judas

Thomas Horkan & Declan O'Connor
Cast Roster

Horkan & O'Connor

Declan O'Connor - Annas
Cast Roster

Declan O'Connor - Annas

Martin Fitzpatrick - Jesus
Cast Leads

Martin Fitzpatrick - Jesus

Peter Langan - Simon Peter
Cast Roster

Peter Langan - Simon Peter

Helen Mulroy - Magdalene
Cast Leads

Helen Mulroy - Magdalene

Main Cast
Cast Group

Main Cast

Female Chorus
Chorus

Female Chorus

Three Priests
Cast Roster

The Three Priests

McNamara & Guthrie
Cast Roster

McNamara & Guthrie

Pat O'Donnell - Judas
Cast Roster

Pat O'Donnell - Judas

Gallery Preview

Behind The Scenes

The Production Team

The creative leaders, directors, designers, and crew who brought the inaugural 1983 production of Jesus Christ Superstar to life.

📋
Producer & Director

Conor Maguire

🎼
Musical Director

Kevin McNicholas

📌
Stage Manager

Michael Brett

🛠️
Assistant Stage Manager

Brendan Munnelly

🎬
Production Assistants

Mary Joyce & Ger Leonard

💡
Sound

Phase and Merlin

💡
Lighting

Terry Coleman and Merlin

🎨
Set Design

Reg Smith

🛠️
Set Construction

Tommie Butler

👗
Costumes

Sarah Farragher, Anne Keane & Mary Bourke

💄
Make-Up

Ger King

🎵
Orchestra

Maria Lynne (Piano), Frank Kilkelly, Frank Jennings & Pat Gibbons (Guitars), 'Dr' John Gibson (Bass), John McGing (Saxophone & Clarinet)

Administration & Support

📢
Promotion

Tommy O'Malley & Peader Flynn

🏫
School Principal

Joe Langan

🎟️
Box Office

P Gibbons

Starring Roster

The Cast

Meet the talented student cast who brought the landmark 1983 inaugural production of Jesus Christ Superstar to the stage.

Jesus

Martin Fitzpatrick

Judas

Pat O'Donnell

Magdalene

Helen Mulroy

Pontius Pilate

Stephen McNamara

King Herod

Gerry Kilkelly

Caiphas

Bertie Dowling

Annas

Declan O'Connor

Simon Peter

Peter Langan

Simon Zealots

Keiran Guthrie

Priests

Padraic Cunningham, Pat Glendon & Thomas Horkan

Jesus (Understudy)

Tom Hoban

Magdalene (Understudy)

Clare Cunningham

Merchants & Mob

Peter Moran, Sean Walshe, James O'Shea

Ladies of the Night & Mob Members

Stephanie Daly, Bernie McNally, Noreen Quinn, Yvonne Jordan, Margaret O'Malley (Mark 1), Anne Flanagan, Mary Kilkenny, Margaret O'Malley (Mark 2), Margaret Keenan, Kathleen Kilkelly, Cora Mulroy, Geraldine Kelly, Connie Ahlborn, Theresa Fallon, Linda King

Soldiers

Greg Whyte, John Conway, Michael Devaney, Tony Nyland

Apostles

Peter Langan, Pat O'Donnell, Colin Francis, Declan Ralph, Kieran Guthrie, Thomas Horkan, Tommie Hoban, Paraic Cunningham, Pat King, Pat Glendon, Peter McHugh

Apostles' Women

Claire Cunningham, Mary Fitzpatrick, Catherine Flannelly, Ena Byrne, Dolores Jennings, Catherine Mulroy, Denise Dolan, Donna Ruane

Production Acknowledgements

Special Thanks

With sincere gratitude to everyone whose enthusiasm, support, and dedication made our foundational 1983 production possible.

🌟

School Community

The staff and students of Davitt College for their overwhelming response and encouragement during preparatory weeks.

🎬

Creative Leadership

Producer Conor Maguire and Musical Director Kevin McNicholas for bringing style and technical enterprise to the score.

🛠️

Stage & Technical

Stage manager Michael Brett, assistant Brendan Munnelly, set designer Reg Smith, and set builder Tommie Butler.

🤝

Audience & Supporters

Principal Joe Langan, box office manager P Gibbons, and the local community for supporting our growing tradition.

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