Bringing the Easter story to life for your community

Are you involved in a Passion Play, thinking about starting one, or curious to learn more? A national conference on 24 October may be of interest

Passion Plays are a form of community theatre that draw large audiences and enable people to experience the Easter story in a dramatic, embodied way.

Since 2010 there have been over 100 Passion Plays performed across the UK, collectively attracting some of the largest audiences for outdoor theatre in any given year.  The Trafalgar Square Passion Play regularly draws audiences of 20,000 people, for instance. 

The Passion Trust, the UK charity dedicated to supporting this resurgence of open-air Gospel drama, is hosting its national conference on Saturday 24 October at Hereford Cathedral.   

The one-day conference brings together directors, producers, actors, writers, and church leaders to share practical knowledge on putting on large-scale community theatre. Seminar topics will cover the logistics of production, including scriptwriting, marketing, administration, securing funding, and engaging local volunteer casts.   

Speakers for the day include Ashley Hermann, former director of the Trafalgar Square Passion Play, actor and Searchlight Theatre Company artistic director David Robinson, and the Revd James Pacey, Canon Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral. Delegates will also hear from experienced Passion Trust trustees, including Suzanne Lofthus, artistic director of Cutting Edge Theatre, and actor James Burke-Dunsmore, who has performed the role of Jesus more times than anyone else in the UK.   

Alongside practical advice, the Passion Trust will share details on grant opportunities and mentoring available for emerging directors.   


Discounted performance access

The conference coincides with the performance of the Hereford Mystery Plays at the cathedral over the same weekend. Directed by Revd James Pacey and featuring actor David Suchet as the voice of God, the production offers delegates an opportunity to see large-scale church-based drama in action. Conference attendees can access a 50 per cent discount on tickets for the Mystery Plays using the code PASSION at checkout.   


Passion Trust trustee Alexander Stewart-Clark said: "This year’s conference in Hereford Cathedral will be the best one yet. It is always an inspiration and this year the depth of knowledge and experience in the room is second to none.

"We have the best director, the best Pilate and the most crucified man in the UK all in the same place at the same time! And the Hereford Mystery Plays to top it all off. This is one conference not to miss!" 
 

To find out more about the conference, register for tickets, or access resources for starting a Passion Play in your area, visit passiontrust.org