After receiving a double lung transplant, Charles Michael Duke is set to play the lead role of Judas at the Pavilion Theatre,Bournemouth this month.
Charles,originally from Bournemouth, returned to the stage in January after a four year break from the industry.
He will now transform from playing Buttons in Cinderella to taking on one of the most demanding roles in musical theatre.
Charles was given less than three years to live when he was listed in April 2015. However, he waited over three years for his lungs to arrive and passed through two false alarms along the way.
In May 2018, he received his call for new lungs and hasn’t looked back since.
Charles said: “It was quite hit and miss during those 3 years, with my health slowly declining as time went on, and then getting the Flu in January 2018, I started to think it might never happen.
“It’s been a crazy journey so far and now I’m facing one of the most demanding roles of my career.
“I rarely leave the stage, so this will really test me and my abilities, but I can’t wait to take on one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most iconic musicals.”
Matthew Traher will be taking on the role of Jesus.
He said: “Playing Jesus has to be one of the highlights of my theatrical career … the physical, mental and emotional journey of the last six days of Jesus Christ’s life is not only a challenge but a joy to portray.”
Additionally, the role of Mary Magdalene will be played by Kirstie Rogers: “Mary isn’t my usual role in a musical…and with it being the only female lead in the show I had a lot of strong competition, so I was surprised to have been given the part but am extremely excited to get up there and get started.
“Not only does the character play a pivotal role in the show but she also sings some of the most well-known female songs in musical theatre…so there’s a lot of pressure to get it right.
The production will, of course, feature the Superstar anthem itself and well-known songs including I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Everything’s Alright and the moving Gethsemane.
The soaring melodies by Andrew Lloyd Webber and powerful lyrics by Tim Rice will tell a story which has echoed through the ages in this iconic 1970s rock opera.
Jesus Christ Superstar will run from Wednesday 24th to Saturday 27th July at The Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth.
Tickets are priced between £18.50 and £22.50.
Book tickets online with BH Live Tickets here.
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