What’s the buzz around QPAC at the moment? As part of Crossroads Live Australia’s national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar which commenced in later-2024, the iconic rock-opera has made its final home at the Lyric Theatre, where it will host its final curtain call on 10 August 2025. Among the actors taking on the iconic characters of the musical is Peter Murphy as Pilate, the conflicted Roman governor whose haunting visions and reluctant judgment ultimately send Jesus on the path to crucifixion.
Over the past 20 years, Peter Murphy has led blockbuster productions across Australia, Europe and London’s West End, with starring turns in Les Misérables, Rent, Shout!, Fame, We Will Rock You and the Scandinavian tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. He has delivered powerhouse vocals in the international concert hits Thriller – Live and Burn the Floor, and most recently headlined the 2022 national tour of the Irish dance sensation Eireborne. Behind the scenes, Murphy has directed large‑scale shows for Resorts World Sentosa, contributed to Festival 2018, and overseen entertainment at Jupiters Hotel & Casino. He now serves as Creative Director of Monumental Entertainment, designing and producing major events across Australia and beyond.
We have had the chance to pitch a number of questions to Peter Murphy, about his time performing in Jesus Christ Superstar, his advice for young performers and more. Scroll down to read his full responses!
You’ve been on the road with JCS for months, and the tour wraps up here in Brisbane. How has the journey treated you overall? And have the QPAC crowds thrown you any fun surprises this late in the run?
It’s been a lot of fun being back out on the road. I’ve really enjoyed it, particularly because we have such a close cast. Queensland crowds are incredibly reliable…we know how cheer up here.
Jesus Christ Superstar is ultimately one of those classic musicals which have stood the test of time, and everyone kind of has their first memory of it (Mine was a local high school production when I was 9). I am curious what your first experience with the musical was, and whether your opinion of it has changed or ripened since then?
I remember seeing it on tv when I was young and thinking how exciting it was to see the story told in that way. Live, it was the John Farnham, Jon Stevens, Kate Ceberano arena version, which really opened up my eyes to how great live shows can sound.
What has been some of the highlights and perhaps learnings that have come from your time with the 2025 Australian tour of Jesus Christ Superstar?
It’s just been nice to be on stage again, and getting such incredible responses from audiences and critics has been awesome!
In your view, what sets this Australian tour apart from other contemporary musicals doing the circuit right now (and other productions of Jesus Christ Superstar you have seen), and what can newcomers look forward to when the band strikes up that first power chord?
I think this show has a rawness and a severity that most musicals lack. There’s not a lot of glitz and glam, there is just an incredible story of sacrifice, love and ultimately brutality. It hits people differently and we’re genuinely so proud of it.
Pilate must project imperial authority while wrestling with private uncertainty. How have you crafted an authentic physical and vocal journey for him?
It’s such an interesting character. My Mum is an Anglican priest so, over the years, I’ve read different perspectives on the bible and many opinions about Pilate and the political forces at play in Jesus’ final days.
While I think that historically, the Jewish people were made the scapegoats in an attempt to avoid the Romans from wiping out the Christians, Pilate was definitely a weak Governor, who quickly bowed to the political and public pressures against Jesus.
I see my Pilate as a devious interrogator. My goal each night is to get Jesus to incriminate himself and, when he doesn’t, I still try to avoid the responsibility. Eventually, I have no choice but to satisfy the mob but, ultimately, I could have set him free had that truly been my goal.
I know it’s a lot, but that’s what informs my show and Michael Paynter’s incredibly earnest performance each night makes our scenes some of my favourites from my career. With such an adversary, I go into every show ready to negotiate with him onstage. I also love singing with him.
Having once worn the crown as Jesus on a Scandinavian tour, you now step into Pilate’s seat of judgment. How did you recalibrate your mindset to inhabit the antagonist’s moral tug-of-war, and does your earlier experience as Jesus ever echo in your portrayal of Pilate’s doubt?
I think it’s incredibly helpful having played Jesus and understanding his battle with what he knew was to come. As Pilate, I wouldn’t say I feel compassion for Jesus, but I do think that killing him is ridiculous. I get really frustrated that I can’t get him to either exonerate himself or condemn himself. He just leaves it to me and I end up getting bullied into crucifying him.
The show dives head-first into themes of leadership, culpability and faith under pressure. Which aspect of Pilate’s personal journey resonates most deeply with you, and has playing him shifted your own perspective on those themes in any unexpected way?
Only Jesus understands that the ultimate plan: That he will die so that all humans can have eternal life. So the rest of us are just fighting over the details and missing the point.
Without giving away spoilers for any first-timers in Brisbane, is there a particular beat or musical moment you still can’t wait for the audience to experience each night, and why?
I think the amazing vocals displayed by Graeme Isaako and Tana Laga’aia (as Simon and Peter), are incredibly poignant and impressive. They’re moments that can go unnoticed around the main cast, but they are such incredible performances that I love to hear every night.
Across two decades you’ve moved from Les Mis barricades to West End rock royalty and now Pilate’s palace. What through-line keeps the passion alive, and what advice would you give emerging performers hoping to sustain a similarly varied career?
Musical Theatre has never been a driving passion for me. I love the music and I love the way it can wrap you up, but I treat it like the best job you could ever get. What has always made it so special for me is the amazing performers, musicians and creative teams I have been lucky enough to work with. Having brilliant people around you makes you seem brilliant as well.
You’ve also thrived off-stage as a director, festival manager and creative lead. What insights do you have for those who may not seek to step into the lights of the stage, but instead look to branch out into those behind-the-scenes yet pivotal roles?
I feel much more ownership of the final production when I write/direct/produce it. As a performer, I get the accolades but as a creative I get that proud parent feeling.
Rapid Fire Questions
Favourite song in Jesus Christ Superstar?
Poor Jerusalem
Favourite moment in the show?
Reuben Kaye as Herod
Favourite piece of choreography?
The mob in the Trial
Favourite costume in the show?
Mahalia Barnes’ sensible vest
Favourite piece of the set design?
The tree in the giant cross gap in the backdrop
First impressions when walking into rehearsals on the first day?
I think I started on Day 6 and I was amazed at how much the ensemble had learnt
Favourite moment with the cast/crew?
We had a fantastic day out on a boat in Perth
Do you have a favourite pre-show ritual or routine?
I stretch a lot
Imagine you are in my shoes, reviewing a performance of Jesus Christ Superstar. What would you say is the major highlight of the production?
I think what makes it so incredible is the combination of all of its parts…It’s the Show, the Production, the Cast, the Creative team and the timing of this tour that make it a perfect, wonderful storm.
I would like to pass on my sincerest thanks to Peter Murphy for taking the time out of their busy schedule to respond to my questions! I wish them all the best for the remainder of the Jesus Christ Superstar Australian tour, and everything that follows! I would also like to thank the musical’s production team, Crossroads Live Australia, and the show’s Brisbane publicist, Cinnamon Watson, for facilitating this interview opportunity.
Interested in attending a performance of Jesus Christ Superstar while it is still in Brisbane? The rock opera musical will be performed at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Lyric Theatre until 10 August 2025, with all ticketing information to be found on its official Australian website.
Want to know my perspective on Jesus Christ Superstar? Check out my full review!
