Fusion Theatre, Belfast, a youth company, brought an at times memorable Jesus Christ Superstar to the Waterford Festival and thrilled and moved an audience with their youthful honesty, energy and commitment to a spiritual message that is as relevant today as it was over two thousand years ago. The opening guitar riffs from Simon Hughes created the plaintive mood for this thoughtful production as Judas laid out the case for Jesus the man, not the superstar. A scaffolding structure took up about a third of the acting area and made a huge cast struggle to have shape and ritual movement. Yes it is great to see lots of young people in shows but Waterford is a competitive festival and a scene with Lepers should be slow, ritualistic and measured and not have a few leaping into position due to some aspect of congestion.

The first act was slower than the music and if it wasn't for good principals it might have drifted away. But the second act with less people on stage, let up the hearts and minds of the audience and the last half hour or so was a memorable experience. Scene after scene exploded with emotion and passion and after the searing 39 strokes and Crucifix the cast came back on stage in jeans, teeshirts and hoodies and sang a passage from the title song that was a triumph and an exceptional moment. People cried and leaving the theatre people were gathered in groups discussing the impact of the show. I do not get such a buzz to often after shows and it is a wonderful salutary feeling.

Ian Milford directed and Rebecca Leonard choreographed. Nick Parks, as Judas, was amazingly assured in a tour-de-force performance and he is certain to have a great career in show business. Chris Milford was an excellent Jesus and his Getsemane was a powerful message. Joanna Hyndman was a wonderful Mary Magdalen. Patrick Smyth was a strong Pilate and Raymond Walsh wowed me and the audience with a great take-off of Elton John as Herod. Michael Down who was Nanki-Poo in the opening Mikado was a fine Peter in a clever glossy magazine denial of Jesus.

In his adjudication, David Turner seemed very moved by the wonderful re-telling of an age-old story. He was thrilled to see so many young people on stage and he praised their energy, enthusiasm, eagerness and earnestness. He was amazed at the lots of gripping musical and dramatic moments. High praise was lavished on production touches, musical touches and the wonderful Pandora's box symbol.

The principals came in for great praise and he closed by saying the show would send people home thinking . . .

1. Whats your Name?
2. Are we close?
3. What do you think of me?
4. Do you hav a crush on me?
5. Would u kiss me?
6. Would u go out with me?
7. Describe me in 3 words?
8. If u Had Me for 30 Mins wat would you do?
9. What was ur first impression of me?
10. Do u still think the same?
11.. What reminds u of me?
12. If you could give me anything what would it be?
13. How well do u know me?
14. What do u like best about me?
15. Ever wanted 2 tell me something u couldn't?
16. Could you ever love me?
17. Give me a nickname and explain why?
18.R u gona put this on ur blog and c wat i say bout u?
19.Anything 2 say b4 u go?

1) New York City has 11 letters

2) Afghanistan has 11 letters.

3) Ramsin Yuseb (The terrorist who threatened to destroy the Twin
Towers in 1993) has 11 letters.

4) George W Bush has 11 letters.

This could be a mere coincidence, but this gets more interesting:

1) New York is the 11th state.

2) The first plane crashing against the Twin Towers was flight number
11.

3) Flight 11 was carrying 92 passengers. 9 + 2 = 11

4) Flight 77 which also hit Twin Towers, was carrying 65 passengers.
6+5 = 11

5) The tragedy was on September 11, or 9/11 as it is now known. 9 + 1+ 1 = 11

6) The date is equal to the US emergency services telephone number
911. 9 + 1 + 1 = 11.

Sheer coincidence..?! Read on and make up your own mind:

1) The total number of victims inside all the hi-jacked planes was
254. 2 + 5 + 4 = 11.

2) September 11 is day number 254 of the calendar year. Again 2 + 5 + 4
= 11.

3) The Madrid bombing took place on 3/11/2004. 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 11.

4) The tragedy of Madrid happened 911 days after the Twin Towers
incident.

Now this is where things get totally eerie:

The most recognised symbol for the US, after the Stars & Stripes, is
the Eagle. The following verse is taken from the Quran, the Islamic
holy book:

"For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle.
The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo,
while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced: for
the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah and there was
peace."

That verse is number 9.11 of the Quran.

uncovinced about all of this Still ..?! Try this and see how you feel
afterwards, it made my hair stand on end:

Open Microsoft Word and do the following:

1. Type in capitals Q33 NY. This is the flight number of the first
plane to hit one of the Twin Towers.

2. Highlight the Q33 NY.

3. Change the font size to 48.

4. Change the actual font to the WINGDINGS 1

What do you think now?!!