Roman soldiers come to arrest Jesus, picture by JS from www.indcatholicnews.com

Good Friday Passion play held in London draws thousands

Roman soldiers dressed in authentic-styled armor of the 12th Legion, tramped through Trafalgar Square in the center of London on Good Friday afternoon, as the story of the Passion of Jesus was re-enacted by a cast of more than 100, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

According to www.indcatholicnews.com, The Good Friday production by the Wintershall Estate theatre company, drew an estimated audience of up to 20,000 people, among them families, church groups and tourists, who, in spite of showery weather, crammed onto steps around the Square and the front of the National Gallery for both the dress rehearsal and main performance.

The Catholic website says some members of the audience were recruited in the crowd scenes.

The drama, accompanied by a beautiful musical score, depicted some of the key events in the life of Jesus (played by actor Simon Hemingway) -- scenes of miracles, his entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, driving the shopkeepers from the Temple, the Last Supper, his betrayal and trial, death and Resurrection.

As heavy London buses continued to rumble by, the Crucifixion was portrayed, under the shadow of Nelson’s Column. British Sign Language interpreters were available for the deaf or hearing impaired among the crowd.

Sukele Harper, an Anglican from Stoke Newington, said: "Seeing the story close up like this really brings it home. Although we are all so engrossed in fact the world out there is carrying on as usual."

David Jones, also from east London, who watched the dress rehearsal, said: "I'm going to church later today, but having seen this play I feel as though I have already attended a service. It was very moving."

Japanese tourists Keiko and Yukiko said: "We're not Christian but this is an incredible drama to watch. We were just passing and it was so fortunate that this was taking place today. "

Earlier, Archbishop Vincent Nichols said he was thrilled at the prospect of the play. “One of the great themes for debate is religion in the public square and there is no square more public than Trafalgar,” he said.

“This story lies at the heart of the culture of this country. To be unaware of the Christian story is to be unable to make sense of so much which makes up the fabric of the society in which we live.

“The Passion explores the values of being human, the nature of pain and suffering, through the Cross, compassion, forgiveness, hope and a new vision of eternal life.”

The Archbishop added: “This play is not proselytizing. Knowledge of Christ is not something that can be forced on someone. It is an invitation to people to get to know Christ personally. That can be a transformational experience.”

He said he hoped the play "will bring the true meaning of Easter to many more here in the centre of London.”

Pia Harold, writing for BBC News, asked why a man would bring a 2,000-year-old story, 107 actors, three crosses, two horses and a donkey, to the centre of London at a cost of more than £50,000GBP ($76,000USD)?

Harold said it was an operation that would be a logistical nightmare to even the most experienced and ambitious theatre impresario.

Trafalgar Square in London hosted the massive open-air performance of the 'The Passion of Jesus' on Good Friday afternoon.

Harold wrote before the event: "The protagonist will burst out between the famous huge bronze lions for a triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. He will perform healings along the capital's roadside then be crucified against Nelson's Column, before resurrecting at the end of the play."

Harold said 'The Passion of Jesus' tells the story of the last week of Jesus's life, concentrating on what Christians see as his ultimate sacrifice for mankind.

"It's an Easter staple, but seldom has it been performed on such a grand scale as this," Harold wrote.

Harold wrote that is exactly what businessman Peter Hutley, who produced the event, was attempting to do. He is no stranger to putting on Christian plays, having done so at his country estate in Wintershall, near Guildford, since the late 1980s.

This time he hired coaches and lorries (trucks) to take the cast and scenery to London. Teams were due to start erecting microphones at 4am on Good Friday morning and work was due to continue all morning.

But Harold was curious about what leads a man to bring such a project to the epicenter of bustling London?

Peter Hutley says he and his family were enlightened in 1988 when they visited Medjugorje in Bosnia, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared before six children.

It was "like osmosis through my skin and into my heart," Hutley said. "I had the deep feeling of the presence of God and I knew of the great wonders and joy of having faith. And all my misapprehensions faded away."

Peter and Ann Hutley have lived at Wintershall Estate for nearly 50 years and under their stewardship, the estate has expanded into a haven for wildlife, mature woodland and farmland. All those in search of peace and contemplation, the arts, and their wonderful Christian plays are welcome there.

The Estate is blessed with expansive views, lakes, streams and woodland and is the home of the organic farm.

When Hutley first tried to get people involved in his plays (he began with a Nativity), they thought it was a joke. His first production just involved family members in a barn, with an audience of 50.

But, according to Harold, a millionaire who has run a number of successful businesses down the years, persevered and now his plays regularly draw crowds of 3,000.

Harold said the entire cast for the Trafalgar Square performance -- except for Jesus -- was made up of amateurs. It included both his daughters and one son. He funds the productions himself and through donations and people watching are often surprised how professional the productions are.

'Dramatic and exciting'

"People think when they come to my play that there are going to be lots of little girls with fancy wings stuck on their back, flitting around and giggling," Hutley said.

The plays follow the words of the Bible as closely as possible. By staying true to that story it retains a power to move people, Hutley said.

"Even non-Christians can find the theme of the Passion -- sacrifice, death, resurrection -- deeply stirring," Harold wrote.

One scene in particular captures people, said Hutley. It is the occasion where Jesus asks Peter three times whether he loves him and three times Peter says yes. Then the cock crows, because Peter did deny him once. He is forgiven, and Jesus turns to the audiences and says: "Be bold, love my Church."

"There's not a dry eye. One time I was standing by this tall man…and he was crying his eyes out. A man of 60 or so," Hutley said.

While Friday's audience was expected to draw a mixed crowd, Hutley has taken Christian plays at a variety of venues including Lewes Prison, Lockie Head, the University of Wales, and the main shopping thoroughfare in Guildford, Surrey.

But Hutley's plays do not always meet with universal approval, Harold writes. Hilary Grey performed in some of the earlier productions on Guildford High Street, in Surrey, south of London.

"Occasionally you'd get people grabbing their children away from it," she says. "And occasionally you get people saying 'why do they have to do this on a Saturday when all the shoppers are around in the High Street?' It was holy Saturday -- we always do it then."

Harold asks why Hutley would bring the play to one of London's largest urban spaces? The animals have to be inspected by a vet, there are security concerns, and it will cost an estimated £50,000GBP ($76,000USD).

Hutley describes it as an invitation to people to know Christ personally, and to educate others about the Crucifixion story.

"We believe that you can't be a good Christian unless you know about Christ...and we want to provide an opportunity for people to know," he said.

"I'm wanting to get every town, city and village in the country to perform these plays because they have such an impact. I will go on putting them on until I can't do it any more. There's no limit."

But, Harold asks, in 21st Century Britain, where Christians rub shoulders with those of many other faiths, as well as non-believers, how does he think the public react?

"It will be dramatic, exciting, good theatre, it's better than looking at television or going to the films," he says. "It's a live performance in a very unusual place. It's a day out with the children, it's a natural landmark for people who are curious. If they don't like it, they can walk away."

For him it is about encouraging people to lead better lives.

"If we could all be good Christians and live the story, the message of Christianity, it would be such a wonderful world," he said.

"There was a massive crowd and the weather was just great!" said Peter J. Honour, an ASSIST News subscriber who attended the event, put on by the Wintershall Players, based in Guildford, Surrey.

"After some rain and really cold, it all cleared and by 3:15p.m., the huge audience waited eagerly for the performance. It took place right in the centre of Trafalgar Square (even the fountains were turned off!) and the Crucifixion was on three crosses between the two lions at the base of Nelson's Column.

"The finale was at the side of a fountain -- the tomb -- that eventually opened up -- and the resurrected Jesus appeared to his disciples -- and then 'ascended' up the steps towards the National Gallery, (to) great applause!"

Honour added: "This play, which was 90 minutes long, was part of the annual four-day event at the Wintershall Estate, Guildford, held in the summer. We have been before to this 'Life of Christ' and it is a superb day out in the country."

"It sure would be great if they repeat this annually in London -- and even take it to cities all over the UK," said Honour.

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TAGS: United Kingdom Trafalgar Square The Good Friday Good Friday Passion play

[04/06/2010]

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