Credit: Far Out / Harald Krichel / Wiki Portraits Initiative
Wed 5 August 2026 7:00, UK
Hannah Waddingham began earning recognition from her actor peers thanks to her acclaimed performance in the Apple TV comedy series Ted Lasso, but it was hardly an overnight success for the Australian, who had been acting and performing for years, landing roles in everything from Game of Thrones and Sex Education to Les Misérables and The Hustle.
While Ted Lasso was the first time that many saw her as a comedy star, she had already developed quite a following based on her work on stage. Acting and singing from a young age, she had earned raves for her performance as The Lady in the Lake in Spamalot, which she debuted in London before performing on Broadway.
Given that sports comedy has only opened doors for her to take on more music-themed roles, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Waddingham cites a classic musical performance as being something that any aspiring actor should watch.
“The first person that came to mind for me was Zubin Varla in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Lyceum Theatre,” Waddingham said, “I had never been a crazy fangirl of anyone until I saw him, and I saw it three times in one week. If people don’t know who he is, check him out.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar is a radical retelling of the Gospel stories of the ‘Passion’ that feature operatic rock music, noted anachronisms, and a dramatic interpretation of the confrontation between Jesus of Nazareth and Judas. Although American and British popular culture have always had a somewhat uncomfortable relationship with stylised portrayals of Christian mythology, Jesus Christ Superstar was a massive hit in the United States and was the longest-running show in London until the record was usurped by Cats.
The play began as a 1970 concept album that became a 1971 Broadway show, and Norman Jewison directed a 1973 film with Ted Neeley in the role of Jesus. While Neeley’s performance was well-received, the film adaptation only solidified the fact that Judas was the most compelling part in the production, as it was Carl Anderson’s performance as the traitorous apostle that earned the strongest response.
The 1996 production that Waddingham saw, performed at the Lyceum Theatre, was directed by Gale Edwards and featured Steve Balsamo in the role of Jesus, with Varla portraying Judas. While he was a relative unknown at the time, Varla was able to give even more power to the part, which Jesus Christ Superstar depicts as a tragic character, akin to Milton’s Paradise Lost. Given that Varla’s career only exploded after this role, as he would go on to perform in shows like Tammy Faye and Ghost Quartet, it’s no surprise that Waddingham was so enamoured with him.
Further reading: Cutting Room Floor
Although there have been various revivals over the years, it’s somewhat surprising that Broadway or Hollywood hasn’t tried a more modernised revamp of Jesus Christ Superstar recently, as it’s certainly one of the best-written shows that Webber is responsible for.
The role of Judas in particular comes with a lot of expectations, and Varla is still at an age at which he could consult with a younger actor taking on the part; in fact, he is even credited as appearing in the upcoming third season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
ADD AS A PREFERRED SOURCE ON GOOGLE
