BEN HUR LIVE is a 2009 stage adaptation of Lew Wallace's novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. Produced by Franz Abraham with music and narration by Stewart Copeland, it premièred on 17 September 2009 at the O2 Arena in London, the first date of its European tour.
The show's dialogue is in Latin and Aramaic,[1] and it includes a sea battle and gladiatorial combat, as well as the chariot race for which Ben Hur is famous. It is based primarily on the book as its source material rather than the Academy Award-winning adaptation which starred Charlton Heston.
After its London première, it received mixed reviews from theatre critics.[2]
Creative Team:
Concept and Production - Franz Abraham Direction - Philip Wm. McKinley Music and English Narration - Stewart Copland German Narration - Ben Becker Design - Mark Fisher and Ray Winkler Horse Training and Stunt Coordination - Nicki Pfeifer Lighting Design - Patrick Woodroffe Choreography - Liam Steel Fight Direction - Rick Sordelet Book - Shaun McKenna Costumes - Ann Would-Hard
2009 Principal Cast:
Judah Ben Hur - Sebastian Thrun Messala - Michael Knese Esther - Lili Gesler Quintus Arrius - Anton Grünbeck Ildirem - László Rókas Miriam - Marina Krauser Tirzah - Nina Wilden