Bible belter: Rotherham actress Jessica Curr lands ideal role

Jessica Rose Curr (25, pictured), from Wickersley, has been a huge Andrew Lloyd Webber fan since she was in infant school.

She juggles her passion for theatre with a day job as a physiotherapy assistant at the Northern General Hospital.

But next Wednesday Jessica begins a four-night run as leading lady Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Octagon Centre in Sheffield.

“I grew up watching and listening to Andrew Lloyd Webber and it literally has been a dream role for me to play since being so young,” she said.

“I went up against some amazing other girls for this part and I was truly stunned when I got the phone call to say I'd been cast.”

Loosely based on the gospels, Jesus Christ Superstar presents, entirely through song, the personal conflicts between Jesus, his disciples, and the leadership of Rome in the days leading up to his crucifixion. 

Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus’s followers, sticks by him throughout, slowly falling in love with him.

“It’s such an iconic role in musical theatre so I feel under a lot of pressure to get this right — she is a very challenging character to portray well and I really hope I do it justice for people,” Jessica said.

“I feel very vulnerable at various points throughout the performance — something I've never experienced on stage before.”

The highlight for Jessica is Mary’s famous solo song I Don't Know How To Love Him. 

“I spent hours as a child in front of a mirror belting this out and now I get the opportunity to perform it on stage and the nerves are well and truly kicking in,” said an excited Jessica.

“Rehearsals have been tough — emotionally and physically tiring — but only because the cast are so devoted and committed to this piece and it’s unlike any other cast and crew I have worked with before.”

The arena-style production is being put on by youth theatre group Splinters to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

The society, which usually welcomes performers aged 14 to 30, will invite members from years gone by back to the stage for the production.

Among the cast and crew are some that helped set up by society in the late 1980s.

The show will be performed by a 40-strong cast, and an additional choir, on a purpose built stage at The Octagon.

Jessica has been part of the society for more than a decade and said she had never known a production so special.

“This really is like no other version of JCS you will have seen before,” she added.

“Our director Ian Walker and the rest of the production team have a vision which is second to none. 

“It’s a modern, up-to-date twist on things and I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this thirtieth anniversary production.”

Jesus Christ Superstar runs at The Octagon next Wednesday to Saturday.

Tickets can be bought online at or by calling 0114 265 8688.